The Scrambled States of America

This is one of the best geography books I've ever seen for kids. It's so unique and fun and helps kids learn without them really realizing it.For just story time this book is good for kids as young as kindergarten because the story is funny and not overly long.It's also good for kids all the way up to 4th or 5th grade because it's so easy to learn the shapes of the states with this out of context, Which them makes it much easier for them to pick the states out on a completed map.Seriously buy this book, you will not regret it. I'd also suggest buying it new as well. We bought it used the first time and had to buy it again a year later after it was more tape than book anymore. It just got read that much. You might want to splurge for hardback as well just in case.

What a fun book for kids of all ages. The morning starts out as usual...until the state of Kansas decides it is bored and enlists the help of Nebraska to stir things up a bit. They convince all 50 states that it would be exciting to trade places and get to know more about different parts of the country and each other. All is well for awhile, but in the end, each state wants to go home to what they are accustomed to.I actually bought the Scrambled States game and decided to buy this book to go with it. I gave them to the grandkids for Christmas, and they loved the book. We haven't had a chance to play the game yet, but we're all looking forward to that as well. There is some information at the back of the book about each state...nicknames, capitals, square miles, and population. The illustrations give each state a face and personality. Lots of color with funny little quips scattered about.It just happens that they are studying geography in their grade school classes right now, so this will be a great time to teach them a little more about where each state is located and a little information about each one.

I admit - I still sing my favorite song from the 5th grade, "Fifty Nifty United States from the 13 Original Colonies...." I love U.S. history and have always wondered how am I going to pass that along to my children.Ladies and gentlmen... drum roll please! This book is so freaking cute that I can hardly stand it. It's hysterical (with it's little side comments written throughout the book), fact-filling fun."The Scrambled States of America" tells the journey of a few states (while at a "state party") who decided to switch places on the map. They were tired of their "neighbors" and/or just wanted a change of pace. Soon all the states were in on the gig and decided to go live elsewhere. So, Texas goes to Alaska... Alaska goes where Texas is from.. etc etc. After they all settled into their new respective "homes" on the map -- chaos ensues. They realize that really - there is no place like home - and go back to their original spots. The commentary from each state is classic. It made me giggle. hee heeAnd to be truthful, I bought this book back in 1997. WAAAAAY before I was even married with kids. It just was too cute to keep away from home.I love the concept of this book. It is very well-written and makes learning all about the 50 states a joy.Thank you, Ms. Keller!

This book was fantastic for my 2nd grader to learn the names of the states. We started each state lesson by doing the Melissa & Doug USA Map 51-Piece Floor Puzzle. Then we would read "The Scrambled States of America" while the puzzle was made, so we could check where each state is located that the book mentions. After a day or two, my son loved to put together the Melissa and Doug USA puzzle, because it wasn't just pieces. Each state had a personality. So instead of just putting together a puzzle piece, the pieces would talk to each other. Nevada would be in one hand, and Mississippi would be in the other. "I love you", "And I love you". "I'll write to you every day. Bye" "Bye". Then he would put Nevada and Mississippi in their respective places. I should make a video of my kids doing the puzzle. It is hilarious. Even my four year old would get into it and talk about how Nevada and Mississippi were in love, and Arizona did not like the ocean ruining her hairdo.

This, I think, is the perfect children's book. They will love it as toddlers, as little tikes, as middler schoolers....even adults love it. It was published around my son's 1st birthday. I got a hardback copy, and was glad I did. His brother was born 2 years after, and we read that book SO much over the years that, even with care, it was more tape than book by the end. They are now 14 and 18 and STILL make jokes from it. I just gave a new copy as a baby gift and recommend it with all my heart. It's educational, delightful and just plain fun. Laurie Keller wrote other books, but Scrambled States was the book that was her first up to bat, and she hit that ball right out of the park. I'd give it 10 stars if I could. Truly Excellent.

The states want to mix things up and get to know some of the others that aren't their neighbors, but then they realize that maybe they were better off where they were. Fun way to learn about the states :)

I bought the Scrambled States game years ago and have been waiting for my kids to get old enough to play it (they are 4, 5 and 7 now). I was surprised to find that there are also two books that go with it now! I purchased both and love them both. My kids ask me to read them all the time. They are funny and the kids love all the little extra pictures and conversations around the pages. They enjoy the books so much that I even got the game out recently and while they cannot play it fully, they enjoyed playing a scaled down version of it.