My Never Ending List

Okay all you Memphis readers, did you know that it is illegal for your frogs to croak after 11 pm?  How about you New Jersey readers, no slurping your soup! Yep, that is illegal too.  And Topeka Kansas readers, don’t you be worrying any squirrels, as that is legal.   These are just some of the fun and crazy facts that are found inside Go, Go America: 50 States of Fun by Dan Yaccarino.  Each page has either a one page or a two-page spread devoted to each state in the U.S.  On each spread, there is the shape of that state at the top of the page with its capital marked and also the nickname of the state.  There are at least 6 facts for each state with a variety of print fonts, pictures and balloon shapes to set off the text making the pages exciting and fun to read.  Where was the first modern traffic light introduced?  Cleveland, Ohio.  Where can you go to a mashed potato wrestling contest? Clark, S.D.  And now for my home state, where is the crookedest street in the world? Snake Alley in Burlington, IA.  In the back of the book, all the states are alphabetized with the page number that they can be found in the book.  There is also a column listing their motto, square miles, flower, tree, nickname, statehood, capital, and bird.   He has also listed where individuals could get more information if they needed it on the very last page.  A lot to read and Dan makes the learning enjoyable.

I thought that there was a lot of information in this book. I enjoyed the colorful pictures, the different font sizes and bright colors, as it made the pages come alive.  Not all the facts are funny “cool” but they all are interesting and not something everyone would know.  Many of them deal with laws that are on the books in the different states and you have to wonder how old these laws actually are.  I think reading this book will get kids thinking and talking and can’t wait to share it.  I am going to pick up my own copy of this book and carry it in my bag as I am a substitute teacher and I think it would be great to share with children in the classroom.