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Discover America State By State
G is for Golden: A California Alphabet
Columnist David Domeniconi has researched close-to-home topics for his new book, "G is for Golden: A California Alphabet." This is David's first children's book and it contains 40 pages of entertaining and educational facts about California. David captures California on so many fronts -- its natural history, social sciences, inventors, and even its forty-niners. On the T is for Television page, the reader discovers Philo Farnsworth, a 21-year-old farmer who gleaned the idea to transmit the world's first television picture by looking at the patterns in the rows he had plowed in his field. Another California first was the creation of the United Nations Charter, signed by representatives of 50 countries at the San Francisco Opera House in 1945. Readers of "G is for Golden" also learn about the world's largest find of Ice Age fossils at the La Brea Tar Pits, the 21 missions that line El Camino Real, Cesar Chavez's vision, and Rodia's Watts Towers.
The series employs a two-tiered approach to reach all students from Pre-K through 4th grade. A rhyme for each letter of the alphabet captures the attention of younger readers, while older students read the expository text on the same page and gain a richer understanding of the topic.
About the Author: David Domeniconi is a third generation San Franciscan. He graduated from San Francisco State College with a degree in Anthropology, and studied creative writing at San Francisco State College. His illustrated travel column, "Travelog," is a regular feature in the Santa Barbara News Press.
About the Illustrator: California native Pam Carroll was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Still Life category for the past two years. Her distinct style of realism and appealing use of light creates an enchanting visual experience for children. "G is for Golden" is Pam's fourth children's book with Sleeping Bear Press.
The series employs a two-tiered approach to reach all students from Pre-K through 4th grade. A rhyme for each letter of the alphabet captures the attention of younger readers, while older students read the expository text on the same page and gain a richer understanding of the topic.
About the Author: David Domeniconi is a third generation San Franciscan. He graduated from San Francisco State College with a degree in Anthropology, and studied creative writing at San Francisco State College. His illustrated travel column, "Travelog," is a regular feature in the Santa Barbara News Press.
About the Illustrator: California native Pam Carroll was a finalist in Artist's Magazine's Still Life category for the past two years. Her distinct style of realism and appealing use of light creates an enchanting visual experience for children. "G is for Golden" is Pam's fourth children's book with Sleeping Bear Press.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published February 22, 2002
8 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 16, 2023
This is a fabulous series of picture books about each state. G is for Golden is the alphabet book about the state of California. But it is so much more than an alphabet book. Told in a rhyming text, each letter of the alphabet highlights a well known feature of California’s history and geography. Text along the side of the page further details what is introduced in the rhyming text. Beautifully illustrated, this book is a treasure trove of interesting facts. Includes a fun quiz at the end of the book. Highly recommended for readers of all ages.
April 29, 2015
This would be a good book for Kindergartners, as it goes through the alphabet as well as teaches them geography and place and location. It has a small blurb that we could read out loud together as a shared reading, and then a longer, more difficult passage on the side that I would read aloud to them for more information. This would probably be a daily activity, with something to follow for them. I would also have a map out while reading to show them where the book is talking about.
March 4, 2020
these are really great books, gorgeous illustrations ... well done!! and stocked full of amazing great info about each state. i look forward to reading more from this set ... not sure if it is a series or what? i see some are FreeTime which i don't belong to that ... just KU ... i wanna read Virginia.
January 14, 2018
Perfect for a broad overview of California! I read this book in hardcover years ago when my sister-in-law lent it to us. My kids read it and I returned it but then recently I found it was available as an eBook so I read it again. I know why she wanted it back. It's fun to read over and over!
June 26, 2009
I really enjoyed this book which is more about California than the alphabet. It has a lot of information so I have to simplify it when reading to Nakyla.
August 10, 2011
pictures, history, facts, information and ideals about california
July 30, 2012
Very enjoyable, I feel like I learned a lot about California just from reading this enjoyable children's book!!!
September 22, 2016
For Naomi, a California girl, Christmas 2012.
A fun alphabet book with facts about the Golden State.
A fun alphabet book with facts about the Golden State.
October 22, 2020
This is another good book in this United States state series! One star off because the pictures did not span the pages in a pretty way, as they did in the other books. Good for education, with a quiz at the end and a full reference section!
November 10, 2023
Beautiful illustrations and wonderful facts. We love this series in our home.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews