Gr 3-5-These titles use an 80-page format instead of the 64 pages of the 1994 versions, and include explanations of the states' geography, history, government, and tourist attractions. All of the facts needed for standard state reports are here, with a few extras. For example, each book includes five types of maps, ranging from a standard physical map to a close-up of the capital city's downtown area. A clear flowchart describes the hierarchy of state government, while an "official" recipe adds a human touch. Numerous sidebars expand the text with information on "Famous Firsts," "Who's Who," and "Extra Extra" facts; others, entitled "Find Out More," encourage readers to continue researching these topics on their own. While the texts are more sophisticated than that of the basic sentence style used in the original series, they are quite readable (particularly Macaulay's), and technical terms, e.g., "tectonic plates," "drumlins," are generally explained in context. Occasionally, however, difficult words are used either without clarification (e.g., "harassed" in Delaware and "pliant" in New York) or are explained only in the glossary (e.g., "alluvial" and "antebellum" in Arkansas). Still, this happens minimally and does not significantly detract from the overall flow of the prose. All three authors try to include interesting tidbits that are sure to grab readers' attention. Well-chosen, full-color photos, drawings, and historical engravings appear in all three books. Both school and public libraries will welcome these appealing revisions.-Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.