Welcome to Texas

by Åsa Gilland (Illustrator)

Welcome to Texas! We're glad you're here! Introducing a new series of picture books about each US state.

Children from Texas and those who'd like to visit Texas one day will love this bright, cheerful, fact-filled picture book celebration of The Lone Star State. With information about the state's animals, plants, regions, food, people, customs, and fun places to visit, this tribute to Texas is the perfect gift for vacationers and residents alike. The warm, bright illustrations highlight the many delights to be found throughout the state, and the easy-yet-informative details (Texas is BIG! It's the second-largest state in the USA) give just the right amount of information to kids from preschool on up.

Genres: Picture Books, Geography, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

Published January 5, 2021

About the author

Åsa Katarina Gilland (also written Asa Gilland) is a Swedish illustrator who lives in Indonesia with her husband, two boys, and cats in a little house beneath a gigantic bougainvillea tree. She studied interior design and spent many years as a graphic designer before deciding to follow her passion for illustrating children's books.

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

JE 976.4

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The enthusiasm of the author/illustrator for Texas is obvious in this picture book. Readers are welcomed to the state after noting a map of the United States with Texas highlighted. They then learn about the state's nickname, size, three mammals, bird, flower and some historical sites worth visiting. All of these interesting snippets are accompanied by colorful illustrations that have child appeal and draw eyes to the book's pages. The author takes great pains to acknowledge Texas's proximity to Mexico and debt to Mexican culture as well as celebrating the yummy foods devoured by Texans. But eating isn't the only pastime Texans enjoy as the book highlights football, rodeos, and livestock shows as well as other tourist attractions. Just knowing that there is a vending machine in Cedar Creek where consumers can pay pecan pies is enough to make most youngsters want to learn more and encourage their parents to plan a trip to this state. As in the other title introducing readers to the state of California, this one concludes with a double-page spread filled with smiling youngsters who clearly relish calling their state home. Teachers and librarians will want to collect all 50 of these books once they are available. I can still remember fondly having to study one state and learn all about it back in my elementary school days.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute picture book illustrating fun facts about the great state of Texas. The illustrations are colorful and add nuance to the text. In just a few minutes the reader will learn about state animals, foods, traditions, and even some popular attractions.

This is a good book for an elementary classroom or for your home library.

I plan to add it to a welcome basket for out of town guests.

[Lisa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Dallin Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with lots of Texas facts!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with tiny bits of information about Texas.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Welcome to Texas" is a cute illustrated book of facts about Texas. The art is quite pretty, with some detail, and I enjoyed flipping back and forth in the book and examining it. Though short, there is a decent mix of different subjects. The publishing info says "juvenile literature", I would guess at 12 and under for the target audience. I especially liked the armadillo, the bat, and the scene with "Feliz Navidad".

Åsa Gilland has illustrated books of the "Welcome To ___" series for other states, including California, Florida, Colorado, Arizona, and Maine.