Commonwealth Children's Books

Author and illustrator Martha Zschock was a third-grade teacher on Cape Cod. When taking her students on field trips on the Cape, she discovered what sites and stories excited them most. Drawing on that experience, she created what one Cape Cod bookseller calls the best Cape book we've ever had, and the first in a series of alphabet books that visit great American places. Journey Around Cape Cod and the Islands From A to Z is an alphabet book, but one that is equally enjoyable and interesting for children of all ages and for adults, as well. From Aptucxet to Zooplankton, it offers fascinating information about the Cape and its history, all of it illustrated with Zschock's beautiful watercolor work.

A fact-filled, alphabetical journey through the five boroughs of the city. A pigeon serves as a tour guide of sorts, appearing on every page in either the small inset illustration or in one of the smaller spot-art drawings located along the bottom of the pages. The format works well to introduce famous landmarks and neighborhoods with descriptive alliterative sentences, such as Dragons dance by dim sum diners as an introduction to Chinatown and Gorgeous gardens grace glass-houses for commentary on the New York Botanical Garden. Succinct paragraphs of historical information are located under each full-page, highly detailed colored-pencil-and-watercolor illustration. In a much smaller type size, a one-sentence, sometimes quirky, bit of information is imparted as well, as in Many skyscrapers don't have a 13th floor. No one wants to be on an unlucky floor! This up-to-date book includes a reference to and inset illustration of the former Twin Towers under the letter T: Tough times take teamwork. The book begins with a map and a listing of the 26 landmarks showcased. The endpapers offer a different sort of New York alphabet to readers, featuring small illustrations of interesting trademark items, such as a Nathan's hot dog, a blue box from Tiffany's, and a yellow cab. A wonderful testament to a diverse city and its equally diverse residents. -School Library Journal

Washington, D.C. is "hometown" for every American. Martha Day Zschock is not only a brilliant artist, whose Journey Around books have captured readers of all ages in Boston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and more. She is also an educator, who designed her bestselling series to teach children about our great American places. This is far more than an alphabet book. Each page is headed by an alliterative sentence that evokes an important theme - the "A" page reads, "America's anthem awakens awe" - and each page also features a paragraph of history.

A friendly pelican guides explorers of all ages on a beautiful tour of San Francisco, pointing out intriguing sights and history along the way.

Next stop, Chicago! That's the shout from conductor Martha Day Zschock, who has taken children and their delighted parents on Journeys Around Boston, New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Maine, Nantucket, and Cape Cod since starting this bestselling series in 1999. Hop aboard the L, circle the Loop, board a water taxi, walk the waterfront! From the Lincoln Park Zoo to Wrigley Field, from the Magnificent Mile to Navy Pier, Journey Around Chicago from A to Z takes readers on a tour of the Second City that is second to none. Over 250,000 copies of Zschock's work are in print, perhaps because Zschock is not only a brilliant artist but also a committed educator, whose books are embraced by teachers and principals nationwide.