The book describes the region’s four central counties (Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s), including wildlife, plants, and history. It also details what is unique about each county, such as, government, growth, major towns, natural resources, and places of interest. Especially interesting to young readers will be the details on “fascinating folks” who live in each county. Parents and grandparents will find it an appealing educational gift. Middle grades–ages 10-13.[AuthorName]Elaine Bunting[/AuthorName][AuthorBio]Born and raised in Ocean City, Maryland, Elaine Bunting received a BA from James Madison University and a MS from Towson State University. She is retired from Harford County Public Schools as an elementary school librarian. Bunting is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Harford County Reading Council, the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture, the American Association of University Women, and Harford County Historical Society. Patricia D’Amario, coauthor of the Counties of Maryland series, was born and raised in the suburbs of Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated with a BS from Towson State University (magna cum laude) and a master of education degree from Johns Hopkins University. She started teaching at age seventeen in the parochial school system in Baltimore and taught grades two through eight in various U.S. cities until her retirement. D’Amario was a schoolwide enrichment specialist for the Harford County School System. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History and Culture. The Counties of Maryland series includes: Counties of Central Maryland, Counties of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, Counties of Northern Maryland, and Counties of Southern Maryland. Artist and longtime illustrator of children’s books, Marcy Dunn Ramsey is a graduate of Emmanuel College where she received a BA degree. She lives with her family on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Ramsey has been painting and drawing all her life, and since beginning her illustration career in 1988, has produced more than fifty books, including Awesome Chesapeake, Counties of Central Maryland, Counties of Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore, Counties of Northern Maryland, Counties of Southern Maryland, It’s Up to You, Griffin!, Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure, Oyster Moon, Rosie’s Posies, Santa Claws: The Christmas Crab, Secret of Belle Meadow, Suppose, The World Turned Upside Down, Osprey Adventure, and Beetle Boddiker. Ramsey’s long experience with children has helped her keep in tune with their likes and dislikes. Her greatest efforts are directed at communicating a sense of humor, excitement, and spontaneity in her work that encourages children to continue their discovery of the magic of reading.[/AuthorBio][NumIllustration]38 illustrations & 2 maps[/NumIllustration][CoAuthor][/CoAuthor][SubTitle][/SubTitle][ColorPattern]38 illustrations & 2 maps[/ColorPattern]