"A" Is For Arches: A Utah Alphabet

Discover America State By State

by Becky Hall, Katherine Larson

"We'll start with Utah's arches, made from wind, frost, and rain. Nature's rocky sculptures — an art that can't remain."

From H is for Handcarts to Z is for Zion National Park, A is for Arches presents the history, landscape, and people of the great state of Utah.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Education

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is for older children (my 4-year-old hated it and didn't want to go past letter D but my 8-year-old thought it was okay).

Each page has a little rhyme to go with the letter but it also has a sidebar that gives more information about the topic for that letter. For example, letter B is for bees and says,
"Busy Bees, that what we are--
Our symbol is the hive.
From mining to technology,
this helps our state survive."

The sidebar says, "The state insect is the honeybee. On the flag, bees buzz around a yellow hive. An early name for the state was "Deseret," which meant honeybee. Utah's nickname is the "Beehive State." The state motto is "industry" which means hard work. In 1847 Mormon pioneer settled in Salt Lake City in an attempt to find religious freedom. They had to be resourceful and industrious in order to survive in the harsh desert. They grew their own food, produced as much as they could for themselves, and mined the nearby hills. They tried to be self-sufficient and at one point, they even wanted to be a separate country. Found on the state seal and the flag, it makes sense that "industry" was chosen in 1959 as Utah's motto."

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was surprised by this book, and by the fact that there is one for almost every sate. It is a fun way to look at aspects of the State of Utah. The author was able to write this book for two different audiences. On each page there is a paragraph giving background information to a part of Utah matching its respective alphabet, there is also a sentence or two explaining the same information in a simpler manner.

[Richard (Rick) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Great history/geography book about Utah from A-Z! Easy reading text on one side with more in-depth information on the other side for older readers, and fun pictures. Covered topics like Utah national parks, historical influences like the railroad and pony express, and good objective information on the Mormon settlers.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

on the cover is a picture of a dinosaur in front of Rainbow Bridge Arch.
I had thought the book was going to be told through the dinosaur, but it wasn't. :( That would have been hilarious.
It was still a great picture book and alphabet book. Great illustrations and great facts and questions about Utah

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utah ... i know i know more about state parks, so awesome!! this state u have gotta see ... so many great state parks, national parks ... must see all of them ... what is not great to see??! u have gotta get some toothpicks because u need to stay awake!! lol!! fun times. well done. great read.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I think that the V page is my favorite!

[Ashley Fricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colorful illustrations! Love this book for teaching Utah history, landmarks and what this cool state is known for!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

pictures, history, facts, information and ideals about Utah history and facts about utah

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

My boys liked this alright; I thought it was ho-hum.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Great! We learned so much and are now planning field trips to lots of these neat places. For sure we'll be purchasing this one! Now I want the one for Wyoming.

[Shauna Ludlow Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be read on two levels--the simple abc poems about Utah or with the more detailed facts on the sidebars. The illustrations are interesting.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was just a simple Alphabet book but it is filled with information about Utah that is great for older kids too.

[Stephani Blanding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informational: An alphabet themed informational book for children. It gives multiple facts about the state of Utah making it very appropriate for a classroom setting.

[Kiyoko · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun snippets of Utah history to catch your attention and learn more in depth from other sources!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for people of all ages interested in Utah! It has nice pictures and lots of information, with a quiz at the end!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a native of Utah, born and raised. My son and I enjoyed the content of this Utah alphabet book. We recognized most of the places

There were three to four new things I learned about Utah that I didn't know before reading this book: Utah produced its own cotton during the Civil War in Utah's own "Dixie", Joe Quinney opened up Alta ski resort, that Fort Buenaventura holds a reenactment during the spring all about The Mountain Men Jim Bridger and Jedediah Smith, and the world xeriscape and what it means.

[Genevieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting children's book about Utah. Though it is written for children adults can learn a lot from it as well. I learned about the state gem, and the lands and dinosaurs. There were a lot of facts about Utah that I didn't know. A quick educational read.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

you learn about utah

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun way to learn more about Utah history.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun way for kids to learn about Utah. The art is very well done.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

buy!

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is an ABC book using facts about Utah. Nice illustrations and colors.