Mickey Mouse's first appearance, the founding of the United States and the arrival of bubble gum all make the front page. What on Earth! and The Washington Post report the country's past as breaking news.
Readical Key Points
- An illustrated, newspaper-style history of the United States from before 1600 to today, created with The Washington Post
- For ages 10 to 14 (grades 5 to 9), according to the publisher
- A running timeline, context boxes, a glossary, source notes and an index
- QR codes link to Washington Post podcasts and archive material
- Hardcover, 192 pages, What on Earth! (2026); selected for the Children's Book Council's Hot Off the Press list, February 2026
Each era gets its own section, and every spread is laid out like a newspaper page: reports written as events unfold, headlines, photographs, obituaries of major figures, recipes and inventions. The Civil War, the September 11 attacks and the Civil Rights movement are all here, along with lesser-known stories such as Sybil Ludington's midnight ride and how the Navajo Nation met the Covid-19 pandemic.
The publisher presents it as a family reference for the 250th anniversary of the United States, and Booklist suggested it as extra reading for social studies units. The QR codes open material hosted by The Washington Post, so that part of the book needs a phone or tablet and an internet connection.
About the Authors
What on Earth! is an independent publisher of illustrated nonfiction books and magazines for children. The Washington Post, the news organization, is credited as coauthor, and the book was developed with its participation.
Condition: Brand New and Readical Ready.
Readical™ is an independent bookstore and reading-products brand built around a simple idea: books matter most when what we learn leaves the page and enters our lives.
Apply the Page. Get Readical™.
