The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

By Laurie Keller

Those wacky scrambled states are back. This time they've come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when Indiana (the director) is about to call SHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can't perform in her juggling act. Will the show go on, or will it be curtains?

In this winning companion to The Scrambled States of America, young readers will revel in the madcap adventure and silly antics all while learning interesting facts about states and geography. This title has Common Core connections.

The Scrambled States of America Talent Show is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Sep 14, 2010
• ISBN: 9781429940115

Laurie Keller

Laurie Keller is the bestselling author-illustrator of many books for kids, including Do Unto Otters; Potato Pants!; The Scrambled States of America; the Geisel Award-winning We Are Growing!; and Arnie the Doughnut, as well as three books in the Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut chapter book series. Growing up in Michigan, Laurie always loved to draw, paint and write stories. She earned a B.F.A. at Kendall College of Art and Design, then worked at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City as a greeting card illustrator for seven years. One night, the idea for a children’s book popped into her head and after showing the story to several publishers in New York City, she quit her job and moved there. The following year, that story idea was a published book—The Scrambled States of America. Laurie loved living in NYC, but she returned to her home state, where she lives in the woods along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Book preview

Reviews for The Scrambled States of America Talent Show

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fun follow up story.

[allawishus_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the not-as-cute follow-up to The Scrambled States of America. I'm trying to understand why I didn't find it as enjoyable as the first one - I'm not sure. I guess it's just that the conceit of the talent show didn't really flow naturally from the idea that they're all personified states - or something? Whatever! It's still cute, Nevada and Mississippi are still in love, it's a fun book overall.

[dms02 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am biased - I LOVE all books by Laurie Keller!! They are just so much fun to read. All the little side bar conversations make for fun family jokes around here.

This is a great introduction to the quirky funny states that make up the U.S.A.

[jessotto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great action oriented illustrations! Laurie Keller really makes learning the states interactive and engaging in this read. The book begins with Virginia and Idaho coming up with the great idea to change locations- that way they can get a change of scenery. Eventually all of the states get scrambled up, but, while they are moving all around you learn fun facts about the different states and it helps you to remember their shapes and places. Witty and full of personality, I would highly recommend this book. It's very much a book that thinks outside of the box.

[nhassa3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is about the states getting together for a talent show. D.C. is the host of the show and there are states doing backgrounds, directors, costume designers, etc. The remaining states prepare for days with juggling, dancing, singing, etc. However, Georgia goes to the doctors and finds that she has stage freight. During the show, there is a banjo player, organ player, naming all states and statehood date while on a pogo stick, ventriloquist, magic shows (featuring Maryland as the assistant), hula dancing, tango dancing, comedy acts, etc. Finally, it was Georgia and her groups turn. She was nervous and afraid. As DC was announcing, he sneezed and blew Massachusetts through the air. The three states, including Georgia, started juggling and Georgia caught Massachusetts. Everyone celebrated after the show and had a blast. This was a picture book and humor book for children in 2-4 grade. All of the ages would enjoy it, learn from it, but some of the younger children may need help with the harder words and states. I give the book 4 stars. It was an interesting book, but it had a lot going on at once. On almost all of the pages, there would be the story and the states would be talking. For example, one page had the story saying "Hawaii and Kansas performed the hula, Mississippi and Nevada danced the tango, and just before intermission, The New states on the Block brought the audience to their feet!". On the same page in a different font, states were saying "Kaulana koi mani, famous for your beauty" "Butter-y hee-hee" "Those two fell in love the last time we were all together. Don't tell, but it makes me a little sick to my stomach" "ahhhh" "oh,brother" "He's pointing at me!" "Don't mess with my heart girl, cause you've got me in a state of love", etc. It took a long time to read because I wanted to read what every state had to say. But, it was very enjoyable and cute. The moral of the book was about Georgia getting over her stage freight. She originally planned on picturing the audience in their underwear, but was too focused on saving Massachusetts, that she forgot about the audience altogether.