Florida

Introduces the geography, history, environment, economy, and culture of the Sunshine State.

""The titles do just what they say: they cover a state from the point of view of a trip around the state, the history of the state, living and working in that state with special sections on the famous people of the state...Which of us doesn't enjoy reading about the state we live in, or the state our parents were born in, or where a brother or sister is going to school?"" --- Teaching K-8

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, places to visit, annual events, state wildlife and an annotated bibliography of school resources and fiction set in the state. The environmental section focuses primarily on the coral reefs and the need to protect them. 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 Seminole Freedmen and two famous "Henrys." While the text covers the diverse mix of people who make up Florida's population, seventeen percent of whom are Cuban, the illustrations do not reflect Spanish or Latino culture. Other illustrations are well chosen 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