Reviewed by Carmen Tenorio for Readers' Favorite

Arizona: Way Out West & Wacky is an educational book about the Grand Canyon State. Conrad J. Storad and Lynda Exley wanted history to be exciting and fun, so they put together a book loaded with neat facts and jokes, plus activities for kids to do. It’s also recognized as an official Arizona Centennial Legacy Project. Two friendly ringtail cats named Johnny Ringo and his sister Jayne act as tour guides. They tag along with readers as they roll through Arizona’s amazing places, including the deep Grand Canyon and the hot Sonoran Desert. Readers pick up information about unique desert animals, Native American cultures, Mexican traditions, and the strong-willed and hard-working pioneers of long ago. There’s also a bunch of quirky historical stories about old-fashioned medicine tricks, and engaging pioneer games that don’t really feel “old” once you learn about them. It has hands-on stuff like crossword puzzles, word searches, coloring pages, and some classic recipes like Dutch-oven cobbler and tacos. By mixing real history with humor, the book shows that learning about the past can feel more like a game and a fun adventure.

Arizona: Way Out West & Wacky is an awesome and relevant educational resource. When digital distractions constantly compete for attention, it helps readers connect with the world around them by making state history and geography feel like a giant, exciting field trip. Conrad J. Storad and Lynda Exley’s writing style is energetic, easy to read, and packed with humor. It keeps readers engaged by using a lively, energetic tone and familiar, hands-on activities. History is creatively presented with the help of its animal tour guides and through interactive sections. The authors ensure that exploring the pioneer era feels like a fun, active game rather than reading an old timeline. It also has a useful glossary to help with definitions. The illustrations by Michael Hagelberg are done in bold black-and-white linework, which makes the book double as a coloring book. He draws funny visual jokes that cleverly teach a concept at the same time. This is excellent because it balances real facts with pure fun. Recommended for fourth-to fifth-grade or middle school teachers who want to jazz up social studies, parents looking for fun road-trip activities, and any student who claims they hate history class.