Books in Journey Around... series

Washington, D.C. is ""hometown"" for every American. Martha Day Zschock is not only a brilliant artist, whose Journey Around books have captured readers of all ages in Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and more. She is also an educator, who designed her bestselling series to teach children about our great American places. This is far more than an alphabet book. Each page is headed by an alliterative sentence that evokes an important theme - the ""A"" page reads, ""America's anthem awakens awe"" - and each page also features a paragraph of history.

Martha Day Zschock, creator of the ""Journey Around"" series, turns her attention to another New England treasure, Nantucket. From the culture of the Wampanoag Indians who gave Nantucket its name (it means faraway land) to the early abolition of slavery (in 1773), through the heyday of whaling in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the summer delights of the vacation mecca of today, Zschock traces the history of this special place with graceful turns of phrase and an unmatched artistry. Like previous volumes in the series, this is much more than an alphabet book. Each page is headed by an alliterative sentence that evokes an important theme of life on the island. The ""C"" page says, ""Crimson cranberries carpet conservation acres.""

Next stop, Chicago! That's the shout from conductor Martha Day Zschock, who has taken children and their delighted parents on Journeys Around Boston, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Maine, Nantucket, and Cape Cod since starting this bestselling series in 1999. Hop aboard the L, circle the Loop, board a water taxi, walk the waterfront! From the Lincoln Park Zoo to Wrigley Field, from the Magnificent Mile to Navy Pier, Journey Around Chicago from A to Z takes readers on a tour of the "Second City" that is second to none. Over 250,000 copies of Zschock's work are in print, perhaps because Zschock is not only a brilliant artist but also a committed educator, whose books are embraced by teachers and principals nationwide.

Author and illustrator Martha Zschock was a third-grade teacher on Cape Cod. When taking her students on field trips on the Cape, she discovered what sites and stories excited them most. Drawing on that experience, she created what one Cape Cod bookseller calls "the best Cape book we've ever had," and the first in a series of alphabet books that visit great American places. Journey Around Cape Cod and the Islands From A to Z is an alphabet book, but one that is equally enjoyable and interesting for children of all ages and for adults, as well. From Aptucxet to Zooplankton, it offers fascinating information about the Cape and its history, all of it illustrated with Zschock's beautiful watercolor work.

This vivid, enchanting alphabet book for all ages is packed with fascinating information about historic sites in Boston, Cambridge, and environs. Colorful, detailed watercolor paintings from author and illustrator Martha Day Zschock enliven the pages, which include: Brahmins on Beacon Hill, Fans at Fenway, and Tea Taxes! Says the Fitchburg Sentinel, ""Her art and poetic, easy-to-follow text will warmly draw readers of all ages into the arms of the City Upon the Hill.""

""A fact-filled, alphabetical journey through the five boroughs of the city. A pigeon serves as a tour guide of sorts, appearing on every page in either the small inset illustration or in one of the smaller spot-art drawings located along the bottom of the pages. The format works well to introduce famous landmarks and neighborhoods with descriptive alliterative sentences, such as ""Dragons dance by dim sum diners"" as an introduction to Chinatown and ""Gorgeous gardens grace glass-houses"" for commentary on the New York Botanical Garden. Succinct paragraphs of historical information are located under each full-page, highly detailed colored-pencil-and-watercolor illustration. In a much smaller type size, a one-sentence, sometimes quirky, bit of information is imparted as well, as in ""Many skyscrapers don't have a 13th floor. No one wants to be on an unlucky floor!"" This up-to-date book includes a reference to and inset illustration of the former Twin Towers under the letter T: ""Tough times take teamwork."" The book begins with a map and a listing of the 26 landmarks showcased. The endpapers offer a different sort of New York alphabet to readers, featuring small illustrations of interesting trademark items, such as a Nathan's hot dog, a blue box from Tiffany's, and a yellow cab. A wonderful testament to a diverse city and its equally diverse residents."" -School Library Journal

Make way for a Journey Around San Francisco! A friendly pelican guides explorers of all ages on a beautiful tour of the city, pointing out intriguing sights and fascinating history along the way. Ride a cable car. Cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Explore Alcatraz, the Presidio, and Muir Woods. Learn about San Francisco's diverse population and rich cultural life. A journey awaits on every page. Like other titles in the series that visit Boston, New York, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and more, these ""Journeys"" are much more than alphabet books. They are family treasures to be appreciated at several levels. The lovely, whimsical art is a treat for the youngest lap-reader. Each of the A-to-Z pages is headed with a clever alliterative sentence (""Fog floats in frequently""). A page's theme is developed in a paragraph of meticulously researched history, enhanced by playful trivia at the bottom of the page. There's a pelican on every page, too, sometimes in disguise!

To celebrate the centennial of the national parks, children's author-illustrator Martha Day Zschock has created Journey Around Our National Parks. Discover the fascinating story of the preservation of over 400 special places in our country, including: Yellowstone, the Great Smoky Mountains, Mount Rushmore, the Florida Everglades, and the historic sites in our nation's capital. Designed to introduce kids to our national parks as if they are on a field trip, Zschock's whimsical, detailed illustrations and meticulously researched history―enhanced by quotes from prominent nature lovers―will captivate children of all ages, from the youngest lap-reader to the adults who read to them. The book has been aimed at the fourth grader, helping to support the "Every Kid in a Park" initiative, but is suitable for children ages six and up. Made in the USA.