Geography and Mapmaking

Compiled By Joy Fleishhacker -- School Library Journal, 1/1/2004

In The Road to There, Val Ross points out a few of the needs that maps fulfill: "They give public names to regions that are mysterious. They create the sense that there are routes from Here to There (even if There is in outer space or our own imaginations). They are another way that we can tell stories." For centuries, people have been using maps to chronicle their surroundings, to claim ownership over regions, to catalog frontiers of knowledge, to rationalize feats of courage and cruelty, and to express their views of themselves and the world around them. Combining history, science, biography, and poetry, the books included here illustrate the important role that maps play in our lives. Some, such as Sara Fanelli's My Map Book and Joan Sweeney's Me on the Map, reflect young children's burgeoning interest in defining their immediate environs and their place in the larger world.

Peter Sís's Madlenka and Nicki Weiss's The World Turns Round and Round encourage an exploration of human geography. Steve Jenkins's Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest and Lisa Westberg Peters's Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up take widely different approaches to describing the natural wonders of our planet. Sylvia Johnson's handsome Mapping the World highlights some of the most beautiful maps ever created, while Jeanette Winter's fictional take on a folk song, Follow the Drinking Gourd, illustrates the importance of a map that never appeared in print. A few selections detail the lives of intellectuals (Eratosthenes), innovators (John Harrison), and adventurers (Lewis and Clark) who added to the established body of geographic knowledge. Finally, in his book about a medieval wayfarer, Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354, James Rumford provides an elegant testament to the beauties and benefits of wandering beyond known borders. The following titles will help students navigate their way through the intriguing world of geography past and present and might even inspire some to explore new frontiers of their own.—Joy Fleishhacker

Fiction

BARNER, Bob. Which Way to the Revolution? A Book about Maps. illus. by author. Holiday House. 1998.

Gr 1-4 –With the help of a brave mouse and a map, Paul Revere sets off on his famous ride to warn the colonists of the British invasion. The glossy artwork makes the most of silhouettes and shadows, as the heroes navigate through dark streets and avoid numerous pitfalls, while close-up views of the map allow readers to follow their route.

FANELLI, Sara. My Map Book. illus. by author. HarperCollins. 1995.

K-Gr 3 –In this imaginative approach to quantifying a child's world, Fanelli uses abstract, mixed-media artwork and minimal text to create a series of personalized maps. Dazzling spreads delineate familiar territory (a youngster's room and neighborhood) and also chart more intangible locales, including a "Map of My Heart," complete with favorite people and pastimes.

KELLER, Laurie. The Scrambled States of America. illus. by author. Holt. 1998.

Gr 1-4 –Bored with the status quo, the 50 states decide to switch locations, only to discover that there's no place like home. Keller's zany collage artwork simmers with humorous details and amusing asides, as the charismatic landmasses chat, share regional delicacies, and even fall in love. A wacky and absolutely painless look at geography.

LEEDY, Loreen. Mapping Penny's World. illus. by author. Holt. 2000.

K-Gr 3 –After Lisa learns about mapmaking at school, she and her dog chart the places that are important to them. From a guide to Penny's buried treasures to a view of their favorite trails at the park, the enthusiastic duo discovers a whole new way of looking at their surroundings. Leedy uses colorful digital artwork and appealing characters to clearly convey cartography basics.

SCHUETT, Stacey. Somewhere in the World Right Now. illus. by author. Knopf/Borzoi. 1995.

PreS-Gr 3 –Combining lushly colored artwork with a lyrical text, Schuett presents snapshots of events occurring simultaneously in different locations around the globe, showing that it can be evening in one country and morning in another. Inviting images of people and places are painted on beautifully rendered maps that pinpoint their whereabouts. An elegant and lucid introduction to the concept of time zones.

SÍS, Peter. Madlenka. illus. by author. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2000.

PreS-Gr 4 –Thrilled to discover a loose tooth, a young girl journeys around her New York City community to tell her neighbors, all of whom hail from different countries. With die-cut pages and shifting perspectives, Sís's intricate watercolor-and-ink illustrations create a visual feast of city scenes, international icons, and dreamlike views of distant lands, transforming Madlenka's trip around the block into a trip around the world.

WALTERS, Virginia. Are We There Yet, Daddy? illus. by S. D. Schindler. Viking. 1999.

K-Gr 3 –As he and his father drive to grandma's house, an impatient young boy follows their progress on a map. Repeating the all-too-familiar title refrain, the rhyming text relates both the titillation and tedium of a long car trip. The amusing artwork, done in bright autumn hues, depicts the passing scenery and highlights the humor of the situation.

WEISS, Nicki. The World Turns Round and Round. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 2000.

PreS-Gr 2 –In this celebration of world culture, enthusiastic classmates happily don the articles of clothing that they have received from relatives who live around the globe. Weiss's repetitive text and buoyant colored-pencil pictures depict the action, while a bright outline map shows the countries of origin.

WINTER, Jeanette. Follow the Drinking Gourd. illus. by author. Knopf. 1988.

PreS-Gr 4 –After learning a folk song from a peg-legged sailor, five daring slaves follow the directions concealed in the lyrics and find their way to freedom along the Underground Railroad. Done in muted shades, the folk-art paintings reflect the strong emotions experienced during this harrowing journey. An author's note provides historical background and helps readers decode symbols and identify landmarks.

BORDEN, Louise. Sea Clocks: The Story of Longitude. illus. by Erik Blegvad. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. Feb. 2004.

Gr 3-5 –This handsome picture book provides an inviting introduction to John Harrison, the 18th-century English clockmaker who perfected a device that solved the centuries-old problem of determining longitude. Borden successfully balances biographical information with scientific concepts, and the finely detailed artwork offers glimpses at the inventor's life and his creations.

JENKINS, Steve. Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. illus. by author. Houghton. 1998.

K-Gr 3 –In this guide to geographical world record holders, Jenkins travels the planet, introducing natural wonders such as the longest river, the highest waterfall, and the most active volcano. Vibrant collage illustrations provide sweeping views of these remarkable places, inset maps pinpoint their locations, and charts offer visual comparisons to help readers comprehend exactly what makes each one unique.

JOHNSON, Sylvia A. Mapping the World. S & S/Atheneum. 1999.

Gr 4-6 –From a Babylonian view of the world carved on a clay tablet to images produced by a Landsat satellite, Johnson traces the history of cartography in a clear and logical progression. Full-color reproductions of visually stunning landmark maps are introduced and interpreted through the readable text. A handsome and informative resource.

KNOWLTON, Jack. Maps & Globes. illus. by Harriett Barton. Crowell. 1985.

Gr 1-4 –Beginning with a glimpse at ancient navigational aids, Knowlton introduces maps and globes and explains how they are used. Terms are clearly defined in the easy-to-read text, and the bold, vividly colored paintings clarify concepts. A good choice for reading aloud or for the youngest researchers.

LASKY, Kathryn. The Librarian Who Measured the Earth. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Little, Brown. 1994.

Gr 2-5 –More than 2000 years ago in Alexandria, Eratosthenes, a Greek scholar, put his powerful mind to work devising a method for calculating the Earth's circumference. Lively writing and lucid explanations mix with vivacious acrylic paintings to create a compelling look at this inveterate "question asker" and the intellectually invigorating world in which he lived.

LASKY, Kathryn. The Man Who Made Time Travel. illus. by Kevin Hawkes. Farrar/Melanie Kroupa Bks. 2003.

Gr 4-6 –To the chagrin of 18th-century scientists who had been baffled by the problem for years, an uneducated country clockmaker designed a device to determine longitude and revolutionized navigation. The engaging text makes difficult concepts crystal clear, while the spirited paintings create a sense of time and place and add a bit of levity.

LEWIS, J. Patrick. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme. illus. by Alison Jay. Dial. 2002.

Gr 3-6 –Lewis introduces readers to the benefits of "traveling by poem." Ranging from free verse to rhymes and riddles, the 26 witty selections muse about the exploits of explorers, play with geographical words and concepts, and extol the wonders of disparate locales. Jay's stylized oil paintings have a crackled finish that harks back to antique maps.

MAESTRO, Betsy & Giulio Maestro. The Discovery of the Americas. illus. by Giulio Maestro. Lothrop. 1991.

Gr 1-5 –Beginning with the crossing of the Bering Land Bridge more than 20,000 years ago, the Maestros trace the settlement, "rediscovery," and exploration of the New World. The concise and clearly written text distinguishes fact from theory and presents an objective view of relations between native peoples and newcomers, while stunning full-spread paintings depict scenes of natural beauty and human drama.

PETERS, Lisa Westberg. Earthshake: Poems from the Ground Up. illus. by Cathie Felstead. Greenwillow. 2003.

Gr 1-6 –Filled with amusing wordplay and inventive imagery, these 22 poems provide a fanciful look at the planet Earth and its extraordinary physical features. Blending brilliant shades of volcanic orange, earthy brown, and sky blue, the stunning collage artwork cleverly incorporates mapmaking elements and icons. An enjoyable read-aloud and a scintillating segue into geography lessons.

RUMFORD, James. Traveling Man: The Journey of Ibn Battuta, 1325-1354. illus. by author. Houghton. 2001.

Gr 3-6 –A 14th-century Muslim scholar spent 29 years traveling through Asia collecting experiences like snapshots, and finally returned home to Morocco to share his wealth of memories with others. Elegant jewel-toned watercolors, delicate Arabic and Chinese calligraphy, and lustrous illuminated maps adorn Rumford's richly lyrical text. An eloquent view of the world and the myriad reasons for venturing forth into it.

SCHANZER, Rosalyn. How We Crossed the West: The Adventures of Lewis & Clark. illus. by author. National Geographic. 1997.

Gr 1-5 –Using quotes from the travelers' letters and journals, Schanzer re-creates their groundbreaking journey, conveying their personalities, their interactions with native peoples, and the hardships and hazards they encountered. Alternating between full spreads and comic-book style vignettes, the action-packed folk-art paintings sparkle with good-natured humor and depict a breathtaking variety of wildlife and natural scenery.

SWEENEY, Joan. Me on the Map. illus. by Annette Cable. Crown. 1996.

PreS-Gr 3 –A young girl contemplates her place in the world, beginning with crayon floor plans of her room and her house, and then broadening out to maps of her street, town, state, and country. After culminating with a view of the Earth from space, the focus zooms back in again. This colorful picture book will expand readers' horizons while asserting the importance of home.

WEISS, Harvey. Maps: Getting from Here to There. illus. by author. Houghton. 1991.

Gr 3-6 –In this introduction to cartography, brief chapters cover topics such as reading a compass, scale, contour lines, latitude and longitude, special purpose maps, and making your own map. Weiss's chatty writing style and amusing cartoon illustrations make this accessible book a great jumping-off point for beginners.

Nonfiction

ARNOLD, Caroline. The Geography Book: Activities for Exploring, Mapping, and Enjoying Your World. illus. by Tina Cash-Walsh. Wiley. 2001.

Gr 3-7 –These 38 interesting and easy-to-replicate activities will help readers to understand many basic concepts associated with mapmaking and the study of the Earth's physical characteristics. Each project, including how to make a balloon globe, measure the height of a tree, and build a solar water heater is clearly introduced and illustrated. An accessible, hands-on approach to geography.

BLUMBERG, Rhoda. The Remarkable Voyages of Captain Cook. Bradbury. 1991.

Gr 6 Up –A gripping and well-researched account of the "self-schooled farmer's son" from England who led three perilous expeditions in search of the elusive "Southern Continent" and was responsible for charting much of the Pacific. Packed with exciting you-are-there details, the text reads like an adventure story, and the numerous contemporary reproductions provide a glimpse of the world through 18th-century eyes.

BURLEIGH, Robert. Earth from above for Young Readers. photos. by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. illus. by David Giraudon. Abrams. 2002.

Gr 4 Up –Thirty-four breathtaking aerial photographs capture spectacular views ranging from natural landscapes to manmade wonders. Burleigh's enlightening text encourages readers to take a closer look at each photo, while enchanting illustrations of children from the regions depicted and locator maps provide more background. An eye-opening introduction to the peoples and places of the world.

DASH, Joan. The Longitude Prize. illus. by Dusan Petricic. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2000.

Gr 6 Up –An engrossing look at a self-taught clockmaker who developed an ingenious device for determining longitude, and then fought tooth and nail to have his invention acknowledged by the British government. Writing with élan, Dash paints a revealing picture of 18th-century English society, pays homage to a passionate perfectionist, and defines an important turning point in navigation.

FRITZ, Jean. Around the World in a Hundred Years: From Henry the Navigator to Magellan. illus. by Anthony Bacon Venti. Putnam. 1994.

Gr 4-8 –An entertaining introduction to ten 15th-century European explorers who bravely journeyed into the "Unknown," faced incredible challenges, and ultimately transformed the map of the world. Incorporating intriguing, often little known facts and bits of wry humor, Fritz presents a clear-eyed view of these adventurers and the ramifications of their actions. Tongue-in-cheek, black-and-white sketches complete the package.

HOPKINS, Lee Bennett, sel. My America: A Poetry Atlas of the United States. illus. by Stephen Alcorn. S & S. 2000.

Gr 3-8 –This sweeping collection of 50 poems celebrates the diversity, beauty, and spirit of our nation. The selections are divided into geographic regions and supplemented with close-up maps and brief facts about each state. Filled with changing colors, swirling lines, and bold images, Alcorn's paintings reflect the mood and meaning of each composition.

ROSS, Val. The Road to There: Mapmakers and Their Stories. Tundra. 2003.

Gr 6 Up –Ross presents an intriguing look at several mapmakers and the way that their work reflected not only physical boundaries, but also important aspects of their lives and the times during which they lived. Enhanced by reproductions of beautiful and historical maps, the well-researched, sometimes wry text will inform and entertain readers.

STEFOFF, Rebecca. The Young Oxford Companion to Maps and Mapmaking. Oxford Univ. 1995.

Gr 6 Up –Organized alphabetically, the well-written articles introduce mapmakers and explorers, highlight historically significant maps, define terms and techniques, discuss different types of maps and their uses, and provide overviews of the exploration and mapping of the regions of the world. With eye-catching black-and-white and full-color reproductions, this impressive resource is useful for information gathering and browsing. The ultimate cartographic compendium.

YOUNG, Karen Romano. Small Worlds: Maps and Mapmaking. illus. by Ingo Fast. Scholastic. 2002.

Gr 6 Up –In addition to thoroughly covering cartographic milestones, techniques, and personalities, Young also explains how maps are used to study the Earth's ecosystems and to describe nongeographical locales such as the brain and the Internet. The chatty text is supplemented by intriguing anecdotes, sidebars that introduce current-day mapmakers, and numerous photographs and reproductions. An accessible, enlightening, and expansive approach to the topic.