Only in America: The Weird and Wonderful 50 States

by Heather Alexander, Alan Berry Rhys (Illustrator)

Overview

A state-by-state compendium of weird laws, quirks, one-offs, and unusual records only to be found in the wonderfully wacky US of A.

Only in America explores the strangest claims to fame and the most unusual place names every state has to offer. Visit the city of Dinosaur, drop by the Pizza Museum, find out where it is illegal to feed a pig without a permit, and check out the world’s only “carhenge” (that’s right, Stonehenge reconstructed using cars). Among many other marvels, discover:
 

• The longest gum wrapper chain (over 20 miles!)
• Which state has the highest ratio of cows to humans in the country
• The origin of shoo-fly pie, a molasses cake baked in a pie crust
• The world’s largest (fake) bug, a 58-foot blue termite
• Where “dinner” means lunch and “supper” means dinner

Illustrated by the brilliant Alan Berry-Rhys in a bold graphic art style that evokes vintage Americana, the book is arranged state by state, giving key facts about each and presenting an alternative and hilarious look at quirky phenomena that are truly only in America.

The 50 States series of books for young explorers celebrates the USA and the wider world with key facts and fun activities about the people, history, and natural environments that make each location within them uniquely wonderful. Beautiful illustrations, maps, and infographics bring the places to colorful life.

Also available from the series:50 Trailblazers of the 50 States, Only in America Activity Book, Only in California, Only in Texas, We Are the United States, 50 Adventures in the 50 States, 50 Maps of the World, 50 Maps of the World Activity Book, and The 50 States.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780711262843
Publisher:	Wide Eyed Editions
Publication date:	11/09/2021
Series:	50 States Series , #12
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	531,100
Product dimensions:	10.20(w) x 11.70(h) x 0.60(d)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Born in New York and now based in sunny California, Heather Alexander is the author of numerous books for children, both fiction and nonfiction, including Only In America, Eat Bugs: Project Startup, A Child’s Introduction to the Nutcracker, A Child’s Introduction to Egyptology, and the Wallace and Grace early chapter book series. Heather also works as a children's book editor. Visit her at heatheralexanderbooks.com.

ALAN BERRY RHYS is an illustrator based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He has had solo shows in Argentina, Chile Paraguay and California and Portland, Oregon in the USA. His work is infused with nostalgic Americana and references retro graphic sign painting as well as contemporary pop culture.

Editorial Reviews

"A quirky fact book sure to spark interest and further discovery."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

2021-06-29
An abundance of unusual facts highlighting what makes each state weird and wonderful.

With all 50 of the states and the District of Columbia each getting a two-page spread, this book has room for some unusual and strange facts. Listed for each state are both its official and unofficial nicknames, often with a brief explanation behind their origins. Each page bristles with clumps of fun facts, including bizarre festivals, weird laws, world records, and more. Readers can learn about bathtub races in Iowa or the International Banana Museum in California. State favorites, like snacks, pizza toppings, desserts, etc., are listed as well. There is a fast facts section for each state: state capital, humorous place names, state slang, “fantastic foods” (not always phrased as locals would), and interesting inventions. Readers also learn what is pictured on the state quarter and a couple of books for ages 7 through 12 set in the state. Facts about Indigenous, African American, and immigrant connections are included for a few states. The inclusion of some of the names gathered under the rubric “Funny Place Names” could be considered culturally insensitive, as with Aiea, Hawaii, and Eek, Arkansas, which stem from Indigenous cultures. The highlight of the book is the vintage Americana-style graphics. The vibrant, bold colors are captivating, and many of the graphics add fun context to the text.

A quirky fact book sure to spark interest and further discovery. (index) (Nonfiction. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews