Our Texas

by Jackie Mims Hopkins, Craig J. Spearing (Illustrator)

Overview

Revised and re-illustrated, OUR TEXAS (originally TUMBLEWEED TOM ON THE TEXAS TRAIL) takes readers on a tour of the cities and wilderness of this larger-than-life state.

From King Ranch to the Alamo on through the capital city of Austin, rollicking verse introduces the past and present of the Lone Star State. Explore sites of great significance, learn about the people who played key roles in Texas's history, and discover the natural beauty of this dynamic place. Back matter includes more information about each location, as well as an overview of Texas's state emblems.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781570917264
Publisher:	Charlesbridge
Publication date:	02/01/2010
Pages:	44
Sales rank:	1,054,435
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Lexile:	AD800L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jackie Mims Hopkins is a librarian and native Texan who makes her home in Houston. She is the author of GOLDIE SOCKS AND THE THREE LIBEARIANS, THE GOLDMINER'S DAUGHTER: A MELODRAMATIC FAIRY TALE, and THE SHELF ELF.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1–2—Sixteen places in Texas are introduced in a-a-b-b verses. Some rhymes flow off the tongue, while others are harder to read. "In Houston the oil barons crave Texas tea!/That black gold's a priceless commodity./The city hosts NASA and its astronauts/whom Mission Control oversees from this spot," and "Up north in the Panhandle sits Amarillo./There are plenty of cattle, but few armadillo./The Grand Canyon of Texas is something to view./With luck you might spy the horned toad in there, too." Each four-line poem provides facts regarding location and features of the area. Most are commonly known cities: Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston, and El Paso; others are less recognized, including Gonzales, Kingsville, and Tyler. The realistic colored-pencil illustrations are big and bold and done in dark tones; several different concepts are incorporated on a spread. Acceptable if materials are needed for younger students regarding the state and its diversity.—Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX

School Library Journal