Yo! It's a Book Review!

I'm a magnet for useless trivia.

Back when I had a better memory I used to soak up information like a sponge.  My motivation was that perhaps one day I would need it.  Every now and then, in a class, conversation or random Jeopardy episode I would get my chance to showcase my efforts.

In the spirit of knowledge and useless trivia I wanted to find an easy way to learn the U.S. Presidents in order.  I stumbled came across two magical books, Yo, Millard Fillmore and Yo, Sacramento by Will Cleveland and Mark Alvarez.  These books use word and picture association to assist in memorizing those tedious lessons we all need to know at sometime or 'nother!

Our library didn't have either book so we requested them through Inter-Library Loan.  The first book to come in was Yo, Sacramento.  Through picture and word association this book teaches readers the state capitals.  An example for Augusta, Maine is "A gust of wind blew down Main Street."  The accompanying picture shows a windy street. 

Gman (and also myself) learned the state capitals in about 2 hours!  And we still know them!  We practice in the car and around the house by quizzing each other.  I'll give him the capital and he'll name the state and then I'll give him the state and name the capital.

The second book, Yo, Millard Fillmore, begins with a picture of a washing machine in the yard at the White House.  The accompanying sentence is "Wash a ton for George Washington."  Then the authors build a story from that first picture.  "Imagine that when you raise the lid of the washing machine and look inside, there are a lot of atoms swirling around in the water.  Atoms for Adams."  The second President is John Adams.  "What's this? Well, now the atoms are being fried up over a grill by a chef's son who is wearing his father's big chef's hat.  Chef's son for Jefferson."  The third president is Thomas Jefferson.

The book also gives you easy tips for remembering the corresponding number for a president.  For instance, Monroe is a picture of money rowing a boat.  The money is a five dollar bill with Monroe on it.  He was the 5th president.  That way, if someone were to ask you who the 8th President was, you could reference the 5th and work your way forward.  Or remember the 10th (John Tyler) and work your way back.

They're fun and easy books.  Gman had a great time learning his capitals and Presidents.  He's so proud of his accomplishments!  Quiz him next time you see him!

By the way, the 8th President was Martin van Buren...just some useless trivia for ya.