Only in America: The Weird and Wonderful 50 States

Ages 7 to 10, Grades 2 to 5

Discover unique, strange, funny, record-breaking and downright unbelievable facts about every state in the USA with Only in America.

Explore this 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 California, Only in Texas, We Are the United States, 50 Adventures in the 50 States, 50 Maps of the World, The 50 States, and a wide array of activity books..

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.