OUR CALIFORNIA

A historical and regional tour revealed through rhyming snippets and bright acrylics welcomes the young picture-book audience to California. A turned-sideways opening spread of a map of California introduces 14 double-page spreads that lead a geographic journey from San Diego to such diverse places as Yosemite, Death Valley’s Furnace Creek and the Channel Islands. There are historic trips to Sacramento’s Capitol Dome in the time of the Pony Express; Monterey when sardines were fished and then sold on Cannery Row; and Coloma when James Marshall discovered gold. Simple couplets focus the vivid composition that’s scratched and scraped on textured wood, creating a grandiose sense of history and place. The journey’s end concludes with state facts and an expansive array of 75 bulleted items, the eclectic choices following no theme or organizational scheme other than their proximity to the visited areas in the poems. Included are lesser-known places such as Paul Ecke’s poinsettia farm close to San Diego and well-known sites as the La Brea Tar Pits along with factoids about the endangered condors and California’s motto, “Eureka.” A brilliant tickler for budding historians and travel bugs. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-7)