Travels with Charlie: Travelin’ the Northeast

Travels with Charlie: Travelin’ the Northeast by Miles Backer

I scooped this up because the title caught my eye. I was reminded of Travels with Charley in Search of America a travelogue written by Steinbeck as he drove with his beloved dog. I wasn’t expecting Steinbeck, but figured the reference was deliberate and was intrigued. Although the name choice can’t be accidental, it is never mentioned.

The book takes us through the states of the Northeast (poor Delaware and Maryland must bristle at this grouping). It is somewhat alarmingly configured in alphabetical order, which has to be the least useful way to arrange a geography book. Each state has a rhyming bit, the state flag and capital, a cartoon map and a somewhat random selection of factoids. Charlie, the title dog is hidden in each illustration.

Children who want to treat this as a real treasure hunt may encounter some difficulties. I went through and tried to find each named item in each rhyme. I stumbled a bit in Maryland because you need to know what a “skipjack” is (it’s a boat) to find one. In New York you’re asked to find Manhattan Island which is also unmarked. Washington’s house is unlabeled on the Pennsylvania page (although his home in Valley Forge is at least on the map).
What’s the Deal with That? The people are WHITE. Out of over 200 people shown in the book there are fewer than 10 people of color, including a green witch, one person of color shown shooting basketball and a Native American complete with headdress shown on the Mohawk trail.

Good for: People who don’t mind their books devoid of diversity and anyone who wishes geography had more Where’s Waldo and fewer cumbersome map skills.  This is also one in a set of Charlie’s travels.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – Cartoon people are shown in bathing suits, some two-piece. Cartoon people kiss.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – Guns and cannons are showing being fired.  Soldiers and battles are referred to and shown throughout.  We learn that the Heimlich Maneuver has saved people from drowning and choking.  Lumberjacks are shown holding axes. Jousting is Maryand’s official sport and a knight is shown with a lance. A quarter of the troops at Valley Forge died from harsh weather and lack of supplies.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – None.
Frightening or Intense Things – A bear is shown snarling at a water park. The first bank robbery is listed in the facts. Ghosts are shown coming out of the Providence Athenaeum.