This is a beautiful hardback containing 32 pages with beautiful illustrations and great information about the Smithsonian Institution. While the book is in an A, B, C format, it is not only for the beginning reader. It could be enjoyed by older children and even adults. I spent many hours in the halls of the Smithsonian when I was living in the Washington, D.C. area in the 1970s. This book would be a perfect souvenir for anyone who has visited there, a great enticement for someone who is planning a visit, or an excellent supplement to a study of American history for someone who really enjoys the subject and wants to know more.

One of my favorite pages is the letter Q page: "Q is for a Quilt made in 1861 by a proud mother for her soldier son." There is a beautiful illustration of a Civil War-era mother hand appliqu�ing a star on a flag quilt top that is spread out over her lap. The sidebar contains a paragraph about quilts as an art form; one about Civil War era use of quilts; a paragraph about Mary Rockford Teter of Noblesville, Indiana, who made a quilt for her son during that period; and a paragraph about the quilt collection at the Smithsonian.

A is for Amelia Earhart the aviatrix, and Z is for the National Zoo. There is all manner of interesting information between A and Z. I highly recommend this book. It would even be a great coffee table book, sure to entertain children and adults alike who visit your home. The list price is $17.95.

Product review by Christine Hindle, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, June 2010