Ohio

March 1, 2006
Gr 2-4 -These books fail to engage or inform young readers. Each title highlights two famous citizens. "Wisconsin" features Frank Lloyd Wright and Vince Lombardi. Lombardi is a native of New York and only spent about 10 years in Wisconsin. Surely, others who actually were native citizens (Gaylord Nelson, Bob LaFollette, William Rehnquist, Golda Meir, and Georgia O -Keeffe all come to mind) could have been selected. The historical events in the nine-entry time line for Wisconsin include such -important - happenings as the 154th anniversary of the Wisconsin State Fair and the appointment of former Governor Tommy Thompson as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Even the -Important Words - are questionable, with -capital - and -nickname - in all three books out of a total of only five or six words, but not -effigy. - The photo choices are also strange, e.g., 4 of the 13 pictures in "Ohio" are of Cedar Point Amusement Park. The index also raises questions. -United States Census Bureau, - -West, - and -Midwest - appear in all three, when none of those terms is particularly important in the texts. There is little, if anything, to recommend these books. "Discover America" (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2005), -Rookie Read-about Geography - (Children -s Press), -Welcome to the U.S.A. - (The Child -s World), -Hello U.S.A. - (Lerner), -It -s My State! - (Benchmark), and -America the Beautiful - (Children -s Press) are more complete, exciting, readable, and accurate." -Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI"

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