The Scrambled States of America

1998, Holt and Company

"Well, it was just your basic, ordinary day in the good old U.S. of A. States all over the country were waking up, having their first cups of coffee, reading the morning paper, and enjoying the beautiful sunrise.

All of the states, that is, except for KANSAS. He was not feeling happy at all."

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Laurie Keller

Keller (1961 - ) toyed with being a professional dancer and an elementary school teacher before deciding to focus on greeting card illustrations at Hallmark. Scrambled States of America was her first book simply because the images of little states with arms and legs popped into her head one night as she fell asleep. Keller's series The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut is a huge hit with younger children.

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Book Synopsis

Bored, grumpy Kansas decides - with best friend Nebraska - to throw a party for all the other states. After a long, fun evening Idaho and Virginia suggest the states switch places just so everyone could get to see a new part of the country. The result is hilariously predictable!

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Informational picture book, 40 pages. An imaginative, hilarious way to learn geography, as well as facts and tidbits about the states.

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Learning Options

Family Read Aloud Time
This is a seriously funny read aloud!  Be sure to take the time to read and look at all of the illustrated side-dialogue between states.

Classroom Resource
State lessons become enjoyable with a classroom read aloud such as Scrambled States -- you can even find a reader's theatre version on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Learning at Home
We loved this book when homeschooling our daughters, but did not know a game and a puzzle existed to accompany the book!  Good ways to learn geography.

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