Maps and Globes (Reading Rainbow Book)

I bought this title to help introduce my son to map skills. It is very informative and written at a child's level; I am quite pleased with that aspect of the book. The one problem I have with it is that it repeats the legend that everyone thought the earth was flat up until 500 years ago, when Columbus and Magellan finally proved otherwise (see pp. 6-11). Though we probably all heard that one while growing up (I certainly did) it has been debunked (see the book _Inventing the Flat Earth_). The ancient Greeks first figured out that the earth was round when they noted that it casts a round shadow on the moon during an eclipse and that ships seem to move downward as they disappear over the horizon. By Columbus' time all learned people actually knew the earth was round; they only disputed his theory that traveling west rather than east would prove to be a "shortcut" to the Indies.Anyway, I just wanted to warn parents about that bit of misinformation since none of the other reviewers mention it. It's actually understandable since the book is copyright 1985; AFAIK the research debunking the "Everyone was a flat earther until five centuries ago" notion was done after that. Still, there's a lot of good information about maps otherwise so you may still wish to use the book and just explain the error or skip over those pages.

While written for youth, this is a very good introduction to maps. It is especially useful because it informs young readers that maps are not always accurate. The historic discussion helps to bring students to the present in terms of how maps, in general, evolved. Comparison of globes and flat maps is very instructive. I would havesaid more about the utility of Mercator and similar maps (especially rhumb lines, shortest distances), but the Greenland/South America discussion is on target. I would have included another map -- the Western and Eastern Hemisphere and related cartographic data to Old and New World -- it introduces what young students will learn in later classes. Measurement on maps is effectively dealt with, but it is important to distinguishthe 'naturalness' of the Equator from the 'arbitrariness' of the Prime Meridian. Nice coverage of South America, but it might be more useful to put the pair of maps opposite each other. Authors should avoid referring to the land area as 'dry' land. It could be confusing. Imre Sutton, retired prof., geography, Cal. State Univ., Fullerton.

I purchased a "starter globe" for my grandchildren, ages 5 and 7, and wanted a companion book to use along with it. MAPS & GLOBES has fit the bill perfectly! Using this book, the grandkids have traced the routes traveled by early explorers; became familiar with map language/terminology; and, using their small Elenco globe, located countries mentioned in the book. The book claims to be for children ages 7-10, but my 5 year old granddaughter enjoys having me read it to her, while she locates the contents on her globe. My 7 year old grandson can read the book on his own now, needing only occasional assistance with terminology that was originally unfamiliar to him. MAPS & GLOBES is a wonderful resource to help your little one understand "where in the world" he or she is!

Bought this for my grandson to go with a globe and a puzzle map. It helps to explain the how/when/why of maps and globes. He is 6 and is gaining some valuable knowledge over his c lass mates with the early understanding of this subject.

Maps & Globes is a wonderful little book choked full of information for children ages 7 to 10. It gives the history of map making and how to read maps, explains the difference between physical and political maps, tells how to measure the earth with a globe and piece of string. It's a gift for my granddaughter, but I've looked inside the covers and learned a bit for myself.

This a great piece of reading to introduce a lesson on maps and globes. I making great use of the text for my next year’s lesson planning.

Good guideline book for kids when you need to know

Our 4 year old Granddaughter is being homeschooled and when she received her World Globe she immediately started locating places that she has visited. During the course of her studies, she has started identifying countries around the globe that correspond with her lessons. It makes it a fun way to learn!

My granddaughter loves this book! We look at all the countries her classmates come from who now lives in Canada

Excellent product. Fast Delivery