Welcome to Illinois (Welcome To)

Welcome to Illinois! We're glad you're here! Children from Illinois and those eager to visit someday will love this lively, fact-packed picture book celebration of “The Prairie State.”

From skyscrapers to farmland, down the Mississippi River and along Lake Michigan, Illinois offers endless places to discover. Young readers will meet state symbols like the Northern cardinal and the monarch butterfly, learn how blues music evolved here, and get to know favorite regional foods—from deep-dish pizza to Italian beef sandwiches.

Warm, detailed illustrations highlight the many delights to be found throughout the state. And the easy-yet-informative details (“Many Illinois towns hold corn festivals, where you can get lost in a corn maze and even eat corn ice cream!”) give just the right amount of information to kids from preschool on up.

Whether for travel, classroom use, or hometown pride, Welcome to Illinois is the perfect keepsake for residents and visitors alike.

Also available: Welcome to Arizona • California • Colorado • Florida • • Maine • New Jersey • New York State • Pennsylvania • Texas

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs