Go, Go America

Yaccarino (Trashy Town ) invites readers to jump into the Farley family station wagon for an old-fashioned road trip. Beginning in Maine and winding—page by colorful page—down the Eastern seaboard and across America, this informative, outsize paper-over-board book integrates text and eye-popping art to highlight ridiculous but true tidbits about each state. From funny outdated laws (in Atlanta it’s illegal to tie a giraffe to a telephone pole) to weird tourist attractions (e.g., West Virginia’s roadkill cook-off), the Farleys take one zany adventure. The often anachronistic factoids are matched by the vintage feel of bold ’50s-style graphic illustrations, complete with brightly colored speech bubbles. The Farley family members (Mom, Dad, Freddie, Fran and Fido) pop from each page, alongside cowboys, classic cars and superheroes. Presented as a diverting read-aloud, this book sneaks in a fair amount of history and geography, despite its meandering organization. A section at the end offers more traditional information (state flowers, capitals, square miles, etc.). Ages 7-10. (Apr.)