The 50 States

There's been a renaissance in giant illustrated kids' fact books (we love Maps and Animalium), and The 50 States is our new favorite. Each state gets a two-page spread crammed with Sol Linero's high-spirited illustrations and as many state facts as you'd expect, though the facts themselves are often fresh, inclusive, and surprising, with, say, Pharrell Williams, Richard Brautigan, and Amy Poehler featured alongside Noah Webster and Pocahontas. Curious kids will immerse themselves for hours. (Ages 6 to 10)