New York: The Empire State - Hardcover

Margery Facklam has authored more than thirty books, including BUGS FOR LUNCH, THE BIG BUG BOOK (Little, Brown), and I EAT DINNER (Boyds Mills Press). Peggy Thomas is the author of JOSHUA THE GIANT FROG (Pelican), as well as a dozen nonfiction titles. Peggy lives in Middleport, New York.

This introduction to New York is beautifully illustrated, and that's its strong suit. Dividing the state into15 regions, the coverage goes from downstate to upstate. A snapshot approach is used, making this an overview rather than a research tool: a few facts about each region accompany the watercolor pictures. Even at that, some of the information is vague and might be misleading (although you can walk the streets of Sleepy Hollow, it isn't a quaint village as the authors imply). At least one piece of information is incorrect. Ice Age glaciers did not slice Long Island away from what is now Pennsylvania and push it north to where it is today. Some illustrations are not identified (for the Albany area, the illustration of city hall will surely be mistaken for the state capital by many readers). With those caveats, this attractive book will attract browsers and may entice some children to learn more, especially those residing in New York State or those planning a trip. Enos, Randall