THE SCRAMBLED STATES OF AMERICA TALENT SHOW

Ten years after their memorable debut the states once again pop open their wide eyes, leap up on pipestem limbs and strut their stuff—this time on stage in a display of talent that ranges from the heartthrob singing of New York and New Mexico as “New States On The Block” to Michigan using its Upper Peninsula in a ventriloquist act and Wyoming linking with Tennessee to impersonate Oklahoma. Rendering her performers with flashbulb intensity and reasonably accurate borders, Keller sends them gamboling with abandon across spreads strewn with hilarious side comments (Idaho: “Does this grass skirt make my BUTTE look big?”), as well as abbreviations and statehood dates. Closing with a bit of traditional stagecraft by having shy Georgia visualize fellow states in their underwear to get over a case of stage fright, this exuberant geographical jamboree will definitely leave readers in a state. (Picture book. 6-8)