Virginia

O is for Old Dominion: A Virginia Alphabet Edition 1. (Discover America State By State. Alphabet Series)
$17.95
O is for Old Dominion is the Virginia edition of the Discover America State By State series. As in all other books I've read in this series (Ohio, Hawaii, Utah), the editing, illustrations, and writing are consistently well done.

I was wondering how author Edwards would handle the slavery/Confederacy issue. I think it was handled with a sensitivity appropriate for a "children's book."

It must be easier to write a book in this series when your state has such a rich history and geography! With only 26 "letters" to use to feature key points, it is a wonder Pamela Edwards could even narrow it down to 26 featured subjects!

Good Night Virginia (Good Night Our World series)
$9.95
How delighted I am to find that such a clever idea for a 'goodnight' book has been done with such excellence. Distilling the essence of an entire state--from iconic locations to traditions to language--is difficult to say the least, but the author and illustrator manage to do it with flying colors.

We just received our first two of these books yesterday, and I noticed that both follow a natural rhythm through the day as well as through the state. The pages begin with phrases such as "good morning, ____"; progress to "hello, ______" and "Greetings, _____"; and continue on through "good evening" and "good night". By the end of the book, the reader enjoys a true sense of the state as well as a relaxed, good-night frame of mind.

The illustrations are superb, including endless subtle details so characteristic of the state but without being overwhelming for young readers. The Virginia edition, for example, includes cardinals, Blue Ridge Mountains, and the Chesapeake Bay Bridge as supporting details for the text.

"Good Night, Virginia" is superb! It covers the following: Chesapeake Bay; Virginia horse country; Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley; Jamestown; Colonial Williamsburg; Mount Vernon; Monticello; Virginia Beach; the Aquarium; aircraft carriers (Norfolk); Virginia ham!; Crooked Road; Assateague Island; the caverns; and the Cape Henry Lighthouses. One of the last pages shows either Richmond or perhaps Crystal City/Arlington and includes the beautiful text: "Shine bright, city lights/through the Old Dominion night". It makes ME want to curl up and sleep.

This series is outstanding for all children, as it celebrates different cities or regions and helps familiarize them with places beyond their own environments. It is an ideal way to discuss where extended family live or to prepare for a visit or move to another area.

My daughter, a military baby, will be moving to her third home (and third continent) this fall, all before her third birthday. I bought the Hawaii and Virginia books as a way to celebrate and say goodbye to our current home as well as to prepare and familiarize her a bit with the one we're heading to. With all the chaos and change, these books are a beautiful, gentle way to bridge the transition and make the journey a little more approachable for a young one.

Thanks, Mr. Gamble and Mr. Veno. Keep 'em coming!!!

Virginia Simply Beautiful
$29.95

Moon Virginia: Including Washington, D.C. (Moon Handbooks)
$19.95
Let me preface this by saying that I'm a diehard Lonely Planet fan, but it's been quite sometime since they've updated their Virginia travel guide. I bought Moon as a second choice. I'm a fan of both Lonely Planet's candor and their respect for the facts, particularly facts that are often concealed by the predominant occidental, or, as in this country, the Anglo worldview.

I was utterly shocked to read several passages in this guide that erroneously claim that Jamestown, VA was the first European colony, first European settlement in the present day United States, or how the first European settlers... unreal! I'm not Howard Zinn, but this is a complete whitewashing of American (U.S.) history. It's (almost) common knowledge, and it's an established fact, that St. Augustine, Florida is the nation's oldest city, colony, settlement... period. It has been continuously inhabited, settled, and colonized by the Spanish people of Europe.

Jamestown was not continuously inhabited, and was not first. Please research and check the dates yourselves.

Furthermore, the first "Thanksgiving" took place in Florida and with Spaniards-those swarthy Europeans from the Iberian peninsula (you know, the people that 'discovered' the new world for the west/Europe).
I'm very surprised that this error made it past editors. How does this happen?

I'm even more shocked that this book never demonstrates a critical eye. How can one not offer a critique of a place like Virginia Beach? Sure, Lonely Planet can be snarky, but this book (Moon) simply chooses to ignore the obvious in both its critiques and the presentation of the facts. This is detrimental to the serious traveler who takes great care to avoid obvious tourist traps, and who strives to gain an understanding of a place's history-preferably factual.

There is no excitement or enthusiasm in the writing or tone. It feels like the author is on an assignment. Most travel guides use locals or writers who are enthusiastic and upbeat and adventurous.