Last summer, while we were driving from California up to Washington State, we played the license plate game with the kids and it led to an interesting discussion about the different states of America. We started talking about which states were the biggest and which were the smallest, which ones had the most occupants, and why each state has a different symbol or picture on their license plate.

I decided to stop into Powell’s bookstore when we were in Portland to buy a book for the kids about the 50 states of America. I wanted one which provided facts and history as well as appealing illustrations and maps. I got into an interesting discussion with the helpful guy at the information desk, and he explained that surprisingly a good book like this did not exist! I couldn’t believe it.

The following month I sat down with Rachel from Wide Eyed Editions and she told me about The 50 States book she was working on. I couldn’t believe the coincidence, and I’ve been looking forward to the launch of this book ever since.

Rachel sent us a sneaky first copy and it’s as good as I hoped it would be! My kids have kept it in the car all summer, and each time we pass a car with a new license plate, we talk about the state and learn all the interesting facts about it. It’s been such a fun lesson about America, learned from inside the car!

The 50 States will be out in October and it’s available to pre-order on Amazon here .

Courtney x

Update: Marlow’s cute leather lace-up moccasins are from Amy & Ivor