Wisconsin

Children's Literature

Badgers, cheese, Green Bay Packers—it must be Wisconsin! Capstone's "Land and Liberty" series about the 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. covers the usual topics—geography and climate, state history and government, the people and their culture—but the slender volumes offer an overview rather than an opportunity to delve into the differences that make each state unique. Maps are restricted to two, one showing cities and reservations, the other charting major geographical features. Since the text consists of short, declarative sentences, fluent readers may find it less than appealing; illustrations are mostly clear color photos, adequate, but not exciting. In this volume, the most striking shows workers reeling in the cranberry harvest. The chapter on state history is brief, glossing over details of Wisconsin's notable contributions to the Union cause in the Civil War, but the section featuring Robert La Follette and the Progressive Party could lead to thoughtful political discussion. Don't look for any information about Wisconsin's artists—sports, Summerfest, and ethnic festivals are highlighted instead. Middle readers will enjoy a sidebar on Harley-Davidson and, especially, a recipe for cherry cheesecake cups (using Wisconsin fruit and cheese), which offers a possibility for classroom cooking. Special features include an almanac (facts about the state), a short timeline, a glossary, and a bibliography, which, unfortunately, does not list works of fiction that might enrich understanding of the history and people of Wisconsin. Compared to some others, the price of this series is modest, but so is its usefulness. 2004, Capstone, Ages 9 to 13.
—BarbaraL. Talcroft