Use the USA Jumbo Collage Map to track the states you have read about.

Picture books are sometimes overlooked for their perceived simplicity when their illustrations can actually create a story that rivals some of the greatest literary works of all time.  Using picture books for older students is a great way to tap into some new resources that appeal to all children.  A group of bloggers comprised mostly of educators decided to take the idea of picture books another step and use them to highlight the unique beauty and history of all 50 states.

Booking Across the USA

Booking Across the USA, a collaborative activity started by Jodie, an educator and Reading Specialist who runs GrowingBookbyBook.com, features more than 50 bloggers who have selected a picture book about one of the 50 states.  The books range from facts and fables to photo books featuring landmarks of the states.  Each book brings a unique, kid-friendly perspective to state history and geography.

Many of the bloggers also include activities with their book selections that can be incorporated into classroom or home lessons.  Barbara Gruener’s contributing blog post on The Scrambled States of America by Laurie Keller, for example, features classroom talking points and activity ideas.  While some of the bloggers offer resources for purchase, many have included free ideas and printables to use with their featured book.

If you are looking for a great way to combine history and geography with literature, the Booking Across the USA project is a great resource to start with.