What could be more ridiculous? You mean Mike Mennard wrote and recorded an entire album of songs and poems about Nebraska? Yes! Even more ridiculous is how laugh-out-loud fun it is--whether or not you're from Nebraska. Mike Mennard has done the impossible: He has made Nebraska's history, facts, and quirks come alive with infectious songs and poems. Mike is not a native Midwesterner. He grew up in Northern California. But perhaps that gives him a unique perspective on what makes the Plains states--especially his beloved Nebraska--a great place to live (though he wouldn't want to visit). This may be the only project with a song about how the pioneers died of dysentary that will make you smile. Mike lives in Lincoln, Nebraska, with his wife and son, and loves teaching literature and communication at Union College. But he really loves surprising kids and their families throughout the country with music and poetry. This past year, Mike performed more than 170 shows nationwide. This is Mike Mennard's fifth family recording. His past albums include"Pirates Do the Darnedest Things" (2008),"Night at the Whaler's Inn" (2007),"When Mother Goose Laid an Egg" (2007), and"Something's Rotting in the Fridge" (2004). The Lincoln Journal-Star has called Mike"Nebraska's Funny Man" and the Grand Island Independent calls Mike"The best thing to happen to kids' music and poetry."This project is ideal for fourth graders studying Nebraskan history as a part of their social studies curriculum.