Illinois (Hello U.S.A. Series) Book

Packed with fun facts about daily life, history, environmental issues, and much more, this series of 52 books (including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia) provides a thorough introduction to the richness and diversity of America.

Children's Literature

Each entry in the "Hello USA" series is similar in format with four narrative sections covering the land, history, people and economy, and the environment. A fifth "All About..." section includes fun and other facts, state song, a recipe (Polish pirogies), historical timeline, outstanding citizens with pictures and short bios (author Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago), places to visit, annual events, state wildlife, an annotated bibliography of well-chosen nonfiction and a paltry two fictional choices set in the state. The environmental section focuses primarily on waste reduction by recycling and other practices. A political map showing the principal cities and national forests faces a physical map of geological regions, elevation, and other features. A later map indicates principal products but would benefit from being superimposed on a political map so readers see the connections. Separate short sections include ones about the Chicago Fire and the Lincoln-Douglas debates. Illustrations are well chosen from modern, historical, archival and artistic sources and reflect well the diversity of the population. All in all, this is a useful, specific, varied and well-organized introduction to the state and one that will assist report writers, would-be tourists or the merely curious equally well. Endmatter includes web sites, a glossary and proper names pronunciation guide and an index. 2002, Lerner Publications, $25.26 and $6.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Susan Hepler