I have a 10 year old son who will be studying California soon. This book is an excellent guide in this pursuit and it follows the California curriculum exactly. Instead of buying a dozen books to teach this subject you just need one---Oh California by Houghton Mifflin.
Excellent DK style illustrations. Vintage photographs, maps, timelines---all in full color and laid out artistically to capture a young one's interest.
Much different than any other textbook I've seen, and I've seen a lot!