Maps and Globes: A Guide for Kids (Ages 4-8) About How to Find Places - From Mountains and Jungles to Oceans and Deserts

by Jack Knowlton, Harriet Barton (Illustrator)

This comprehensive look at geography and the environment, Maps and Globes, can take you anywhere—to the top of the tallest mountain on earth or the bottom of the deepest ocean. Maps tell you about the world: where various countries are located, where the jungles and deserts are, even how to find your way around your own hometown. If you take a fancy to any place on earth, you can go there today and still be home in time for dinner. So open a map, spin a globe. The wide world awaits you.

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Genres: Geography, Picture Books, Nonfiction, School, Maps, Childrens, Science

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

Reviews

[Ammie]

Wonderful intro for my students. Used this with my daughter a few years ago and love how simply it introduces important geography concepts.

[Jenny Hartfelder]

This is probably a little better suited to 3rd-4th grade than 1st grade. It was a bit long and the descriptions of all the various kinds of maps we're a bit more than we needed for a 6yo. We split the book into two days and it did help her understand the difference between globes and flat maps.

#passportaroundtheworld #1stgrade

[Emma Filbrun]

Many, many years ago, when I was probably around 10 years old, I was given a book titled Maps and Globes. I can't remember anymore who gave it to me; I would guess either my grandmother or an older cousin. I found it somewhat interesting at the time, but now it's quite useful, as it is a book scheduled in the history curriculum I like to use for our children. I just went through it with my 6-year-old daughter.
This book begins by talking about the earliest maps, which were likely just scratched into the ground by someone who wanted to show someone else how to find what they needed. Examples of the oldest known maps are shown, as well as the charts the Polynesians made to find their way around the Pacific. The historical part of the book wraps up with a brief description of Columbus and Magellan and their contribution to mapmaking.
Next, various types of maps are introduced. First, a globe is pictured and described, and then flat maps—with their inevitable distortions. After that, the various lines and symbols that are used on maps are described, and then different kinds of maps are shown, such as historical maps to show various routes, or maps showing the distribution of minerals.
Maps and Globes is a very fun introduction to maps and how they are drawn and used. It's brief and simple, but informative, with full-color pictures on every page. It's a good choice to accompany an introduction to geography!

[Ebookwormy1]

We have been through this book several times, maybe once a year, and I think we pull a new fact out each trip. All the basic geographic concepts are covered.

From what the first maps were used for and what they looked like, through the age of exploration (features Columbus and Magellan), the differences between globes and maps, the language of maps (direction, hemisphere, longitude, latitude, meridians, parallels, equator, scales, elevation/ altitude, depths), closing with an overview of different types of maps (physical, political, local, etc.). And all this in 42 pages!

The illustrations are colorful and engaging through elementary level students, but probably too young for junior highers.

We will be holding onto this one for homeschool for years to come!

[Margaret Chind]

This is a great little book, I enjoy it so much for my children that we also bought a Kindle eBook copy. This is a great general introduction to maps. My son (6) loves it. We read it as part of Sonlight Curriculum K 2020.

[Emmie]

Maps and Globes is a good short introduction to teaching how to read maps and globes (hence the name). It is basic and easy to understand, so all of our children were able to listen and understand to some degree. It explains different keys, different types of maps and how to use the legend to read the map. As a starting point in the subject it is right on.

[Amy]

Fantastic and thorough introduction to maps and globes for children. Especially appreciated the stick chart reference of Polynesian sailing charts.

We've used this two different times for homeschooling and I looked forward to finding this again at the library. It was a big hit.

[Sandy]

A very elementary level book to help young children understand the origins and purpose of maps. Effective - colorful and concise enough to keep the attention of young kids. Can be read in one sitting or over a few.

[Maggie Panning]

This is a great introduction to basic geography. It is an older book, but it is still totally applicable. It was very useful in our first grade homeschool.

[Jessica]

Nice reference.

[Amy Meyers]

Great little picture-book intro to geography. We took it a few pages at a time, as scheduled by MFW, which was great. It would have been rushed to try to do it all at once, I think.

[Rosanna]

I loved this book. it does a great job of covering what I wanted my child to know about intro geography. unfortunately, even though I split it into two days, Zack begged me to stop. not his cup of tea. this might be better for a first grade +. he did enjoy finding everything from a legend on a map. we will stick with rookie reader geography series for our social studies for awhile. that's more the kindergarten comfort zone.

[Tsuyu Ko]

This book has a lot of colors and big words, making it easy for kids to understand. On the back of the book, the label "age 7-10" tells you who are the most suitable readers. Sweet! The book starts with the history of maps and then explains how useful a globe is. Students can definitely learn a lot from this book.

[Crystal]

I enjoyed this. It was a great book to put in during a Social Studies unit to link reading and SS. Easy words and pictures-- 3-4 grade reading level. I loved the illustrations to show how much better a globe is to deal with land mass compared to flat maps. I would even consider reading this as a whole class to be different than just reading from a text book.

[Madeleine]

Useful as an introduction to maps and globes, but gives a skewed American-centric view of the world. It promotes the incorrect idea that north is "up" or the "top" and that south is the "bottom" of the world. If you give this to your child(ren) to read, be sure to read together and discuss the mistakes and the assumptions!

[Laura]

Good introduction to kids reading and understanding globes and maps. Handy resource tool for me. It is good for grades 1 thru 5, but definitely aimed more at the younger set. We had some fun making our own maps to scale after reading this.

[Melissa Coyle]

A very good children's book for a beginner's understanding on maps and globes. This tool should be in a homes educational library. It has colored, basic pictures that help the child to understand the information that is being described.

[Rebecca]

What a wonderful little book. A great introduction to all things maps with nice simple illustrations. My daughter really enjoyed it.

My son, 5, remembered the words equator and compass rose many days after reading this book. :)

[Kaila]

In my first grade class, we have an entire unit on maps and globes ! This book was the perfect read as a hook for my intro lesson. The students were able to learn many facts from this simple read aloud. I encourage all educators to used this book during social studies.

[Paul]

I'm reading this as part of my in2books elementary school penpan program!

[Blakeley Norris]

This is a good book to use in order to integrate Literacy and Social Studies. It talks about maps and globes which would be great for Social Studies when students are learning about these subjects.

[Jobiska (Cindy)]

Very thorough yet simply explained. Great illustrations. Passing on to my son's school library.

[Laura]

Great book for teaching the basics of geography: what is an atlas, how do maps use scale, lines of latitude and longitude, etc.

[Deborah Harris]

AR Quiz No. 16199 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 5.4 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP

[Mckinley]

History of map making through types of maps now.

[Kelly Mize]

Simple but thorough. This book is easy enough for a 7 year old to read quickly, but well-illustrated enough to interest a 3 year old. Have a globe and atlas on hand.

[Lisa]

Explains to young children how the science of map making evolved and how to read maps.

[Kelle]

Used as a school book.

[Lolo Onda]

Read this with my 3rd and 4th grade class. Informative and I personally liked the illustrations but it was lacking some depth. Too simplified in some ways.

[Marisa]

Colorful Illustrations. Easy to follow and teach with.