California

Introduces the geography, history, people, industries, and environmental concerns of the Golden State.

Introduces the geography, history, people, industries, and environmental concerns of the Golden State.

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, historical timeline, outstanding citizens with pictures and short bios (including children's author Yoshiko Uchida), places to visit, annual events, state wildlife and an annotated bibliography of school resources and well-chosen fiction set in the state. 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 African Americans in the Gold Rush and the Disaster at Donner Pass. The environmental section focuses on air pollution. The illustrations are drawn from modern, historical, archival and artistic sources. 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