Utah Facts and Symbols

Children's Literature

Easy-to-read text covers major state symbols such as the state flag, seal, bird, tree, flower, animal, and more. A "Fast Facts" section highlights the state's capital city, largest city, physical size, population, natural resources, farm products, and primary manufactured goods. Generally, a map or photo faces a right hand page of information written in short paragraphs. Photos are current and simple, featuring the animal, flower, or famous building, with a modest caption. The series has been updated to reflect new census data but otherwise duplicates the earlier editions. A concluding page features three "Places to Visit," to give readers a sense of what features or sites the state is proud of or known for (two national sites and the Great Salt Lake). In the end matter, other factual nonfiction books are recommended, a glossary rounds up five or six specialized words, an omnibus website managed by the publisher gives access to further facts, and a very short index is included. The series encourages report writers to locate information quickly and the layout makes comparisons among states easy. This book is a good beginning resource for highlighting a state and its features. 2003 (orig. 2000), Capstone Press, Ages 7 to 11.
— Susan Hepler, Ph.D.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-4-Each of these slim books begins with a simple colorful map (without a scale) pinpointing several cities and sites and a list of facts that note the population, size, major industries, etc. The double-page sections that follow cover the history, the capital and flag, the seal and motto, bird, tree, flower, and other symbols. Each page of the straightforward text is opposite a full-page color photo or emblem. The typeface is large, there is plenty of white space, and the photographs, although unimaginative, are large and well reproduced. The appendixes contain short lists of useful addresses. Overall, these accessible titles offer the information that children need when starting state reports. Students seeking more in-depth material should consult the "From Sea to Shining Sea" series (Children's).-Dona J. Helmer, College Gate School Library, Anchorage, AK Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.