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In August, we'll be exploring "Geography and Maps" Although we've already chosen the official selections, feel welcome to post back here any time with your thoughts on a picture book that fits the theme!

I am going to nominate The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman. It is not a book of maps, but rather a mystery that takes place as the family travels across the US from California to the East Coast. The book is not my favorite - lots of action and adventure, but not enough character development. But one thing that I really enjoyed about it was that it had the Google maps directions for the route that they took - they told you what to put into Google maps to get their exact route. That and the descriptions of the sights along the way had even me reaching for the atlas. I think this would be great to use with a 4th or 5th grade class as a read-aloud, map study, US geography unit.

LauraW wrote: "I am going to nominate The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman. It is not a book of maps, but rather a mystery that takes place as the family travels across the US from California to t..."

Laura, I don't think your recommendation will work because it's supposed to be for the picture book club, so I think the limit is app. 40 pages. Maybe you could nominate it for the fiction club instead, as I think the book would be a fun read.

How I Learned Geography

A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme

All in Just One Cookie

The World Made New: Why the Age of Exploration Happened and How It Changed the World (bit longer, 64 pages)

Henry the Navigator: Prince of Portuguese Exploration

Looking at Maps

The Explorer's Handbook: How to Become an Intrepid Traveler

Are We There Yet, Daddy?

My Map Book

Madlenka

Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary

Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills

Treasure Map

Space Pirates: A Map-Reading Adventure

LauraW wrote: "I am going to nominate The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman. It is not a book of maps, but rather a mystery that takes place as the family travels across the US from California to t..."

Hi Laura--Thank you for posting as it certainly fits the theme. However, as Gundula pointed out, this does sound beyond the bounds for our Picture Book Club (appx. 32 pages, mostly illustrations, suitable for ages 4-8) but please do feel welcome to mention it for the Fiction Club :-)

Sorry, I got the groups mixed up. I don't read a lot of picture books and just didn't look at the discussion title. The book isn't strong enough, IMO, for nomination to a general Fiction discussion. I just like it for the Geography and Maps theme.

LauraW wrote: "Sorry, I got the groups mixed up. I don't read a lot of picture books and just didn't look at the discussion title. The book isn't strong enough, IMO, for nomination to a general Fiction discussi..."

Ah, okay. No problem. I hope you will join us and start reading more picture books, too ;-) There are so many great ones out there! I'm a "grown-up" wit no kids yet and I'm addicted ;-p

Three more possibilities,

The Travel Game

Columbus's Chart

Meerkat Mail

I'm so excited about the nominations thus far. I think it will be another great month. Thanks, and keep them coming :-)

Chandra, I'm glad you're nominating books - thank you - I want a big list of possibilities to take to the library for my own interest! Any of the books I find that are wonderful I will be mentioning in my all-ages group, Fans of Maps.

(Any of you who are interested in books about maps, travel, etc., or are into related activities like geocaching, bookcrossing, etc., are invited to join! We're pretty quiet but I'd like us to grow a bit. http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/3....)

Chandra wrote: "I just realized I'm nominating stuff and I'm going to be out for half of August!"

Oh, as Cheryl said, I am very happy to have so many great nominations. Thank you and keep them coming! :-) I just hope you will be able to join us for the ones that are selected come August, whenever you find time in your busy schedule. Or, you could always post back a little later in September, too.

I Lost My Tooth In Africa

Are We There Yet? : A Journey Around Australia

Olivia Goes to Venice

Away From Home by Anita Lobel

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World by Barbara Kerley

Two of mine were already mentioned (The Scrambeled States of America and The Travel Game) but here is another good one How I Learned Geography

**Updated....just saw this one was already mentioned too!

Two of my favorite books to teach kids about maps are:
Mapping Penny's World
Me on the Map

Three of my children's favorite books about kids from around the world are:
One World, One Day
Nine O'Clock Lullaby
Toot & Puddle

I also love:
Wonderful Houses Around the World

This past year, I spent months reading picture books set in countries around the world. I compiled booklists of the very best books I could find and posted booklists and reviews at Delightful Children’s Books (). The Read Around the World booklist topics include: Maps, Children Around the World, Africa, Europe, Australia, The Arctic, South America, and Asia.

Read Around the Word booklists:

Read Around the World resource page for librarians:

Randie wrote: "Away From Home by Anita Lobel

You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World by Barbara Kerley"

Thanks, Randie! I am repeating them here with the links included so it's easier for people to look them up and it will show up on the comprehensive list ;-)



You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World (Yay! I love Barbara Kerley!)

Away from Home

Thanks all, esp. Amy for the lists - I'm off to check them out!

Here are a few:

- My World by Anne Millard
- Somewhere in the World Right Now by Stacey Schuett
- One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley

I am going to nominate one more picture book, Return to the Sea.

This might sound a bit like it would fit better with this month's theme (beach/ocean), but I've just read the book and it is basically a story of a family trip to the east coast of Canada, describing not just the sea, but also places like Quebec City, Peggy's Cove, Halifax, Cavendish (where the girls pick up hats with Anne of Green Gables braids), the longest covered bridge in the world (in New Brunswick). Both educational and poetic, with lovely illustrations, this is a great book for showing the sights, the geography of Atlantic Canada (as well as the trip to Atlantic Canada, Quebec City is seen on the trip to the east coast).

Oh I so want this - off to check the library's website!

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Oh I so want this - off to check the library's website!"

I really liked it, although the poetry does not always work just right, it is a sweet story, both enchanting and educational.

Unf. it's not in my system. :(

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Unf. it's not in my system. :("

That's too bad, it's Canadian, so it might not be all that available south of the border (I really do wish more Canadian picture books were available in the United States and probably vise versa as well).

Well, yeah, how are we, and our children, to learn about other countries if books like this aren't available? Ah well.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "Well, yeah, how are we, and our children, to learn about other countries if books like this aren't available? Ah well."

I know, rather frustrating.

It's time to vote for your selections! I'd love a blend of fiction and non-fiction titles but, of course, it's up to you; we have so many enticing nominations ;-) As ever, I recommend checking to see if your library has a title before you vote for it.

To vote, please post a comment and list the five books (from the official nominations from Message 4-25) you would most like to read with the group in August.

Votes will be accepted until July 22nd. Thank you!

My votes go to:

How I Learned Geography by Uri Shulevitz

Madlenka by Peter Sis

Return to the Sea by Heidi Jardine Stoddart

Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills by Scot Ritchie

A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme by J. Patrick Lewis

So hard to choose... there are 7 that I really, really want to read and others that also sound great (and that is not including 4 or 5 titles that I've already read and know are good.) Okay, here are my votes.

Mapping Penny's World
The Travel Game
You and Me Together: Moms, Dads, and Kids Around the World
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
Space Pirates: A Map-Reading Adventure

But I'd really love to read Uri Shulevitz's book How I learned Geography as well! And so many others. I'm very excited for this month. Thanks!

I haven't participated the last 2 months, though I've read the books and my intentions to post were genuine, but I think I'll abstain given the circumstances. I'm happy to read any of these and any 6 that are selected if I can get them. Hope to participate too. I love this topic, and have read many good books on the subject; many are books up for votes.

Here are my votes:

Somewhere in the World Right Now
Mapping Penny's World
Me on the Map
Nine O'Clock Lullaby
One World, One Day

Note: It looks like a couple of Barbara Kerley's books were nominated - I'd like to read one of them, but it doesn't matter which one

The Scrambled States of America
How I Learned Geography
Madlenka
One World, One Day
Adèle & Simon

Lisa wrote: "I haven't participated the last 2 months, though I've read the books and my intentions to post were genuine, but I think I'll abstain given the circumstances. I'm happy to read any of these and any..."

The same for me - it's been a hard summer. But I will try to participate as much as possible.

Jenny wrote: "So hard to choose... there are 7 that I really, really want to read and others that also sound great (and that is not including 4 or 5 titles that I've already read and know are good.) Okay, here..."

Thanks, Jenny! If you do read some on the theme that aren't our official picks, I hope you'll post back on this thread (when it becomes "Master List and General Discussion") as I, too, am very interested in *many* of the titles and would love to hear from others who read them. (I'm sure other members would, too.)

Dolly wrote: "Note: It looks like a couple of Barbara Kerley's books were nominated - I'd like to read one of them, but it doesn't matter which one"

Thanks, Dolly! I'll make a note of that when it comes time to tally the votes.

I will post back about my thoughts on any books I read that don't make it to our top 5 + alternate. I've already put a couple on hold which I'll read, no matter whether they are chosen. :)

Jenny wrote: "I will post back about my thoughts on any books I read that don't make it to our top 5 + alternate. I've already put a couple on hold which I'll read, no matter whether they are chosen. :)"

Yay! Exciting :-)

Great topic! I'd love to read and discuss these 5:
1. When It's Six O'Clock in San Francisco: A Trip Through Time Zones
2. How I Learned Geography
3. Adèle & Simon
4. A World of Wonders: Geographic Travels in Verse and Rhyme
5. This Child, Every Child: a Book About the World's Children by David Julian Smith.

Mapping Penny's World
If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World's People
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
How I Learned Geography
Somewhere in the World Right Now

By coincidence, I need to buy some picture books about maps and map-making for our 5 year olds. However, I have found it difficult to find many titles where distances are measured using the metric system. Since I am living outside of the US and use the metric system, this is important.
I have mentioned previously that I don't have library facilities, except my own and therefore if I want to read a book chosen in the poll and I don't have it, I need to buy it.
I will vote for
As the Crow Flies: A First Book of Maps
If the World Were a Village: A Book about the World's People
Wonderful Houses Around the World
since these 3 books are in the collection.
However, I am very interested in knowing which other books, if any, refer to the metric system.
I apologize for only being able to vote for 3 titles. Don't include my vote if it is not appropriate, but I will still do my best to contribute.

Gaynor wrote: "I apologize for only being able to vote for 3 titles. Don't include my vote if it is not appropriate, but I will still do my best to contribute. "

Of course I will include them! You voted for books from our official list and your vote should (and does) totally count! ;-) Thanks for your willingness to participate even though it's a challenge for you to get the books.

Thanks to all who voted! I've tallied the results and it looks like we'll have another great month in August! :-)

Mapping Penny's World

How I Learned Geography

If the World Were a Village - Second Edition: A Book about the World’s People

Madlenka

Adèle & Simon

Alternate/Sixth title:
One World, One Day

I completely forgot about this book until the nominations were over but I loved Thank You, World about children from around the world and how their dress and homes/towns may be different but that they are thankful for the same things in life. The illustrations by Wendy Anderson Halperin really charmed me.

Kathryn wrote: "I completely forgot about this book until the nominations were over but I loved Thank You, World about children from around the world and how their dress and homes/towns may be diffe..."

I loved that book too, Kathryn; I gave it 5 stars. So many great books on this and related subjects!

Tricia mentioned the following books in the discussion topic for this month. I want them here for handy reference. :)

The Once Upon a Time Map Book
The Magic Globe
Earth from Above, Third Edition

I just thrilled to Jeannie Baker's Mirror. It could be in the master list for wordless, or even for grandparents, but I'm putting it here because it reminded me of One World, One Day. In some ways it surpassed that because it had a tighter focus.

Cheryl in CC NV wrote: "I just thrilled to Jeannie Baker's Mirror. It could be in the master list for wordless, or even for grandparents, but I'm putting it here because it reminded me of [..."

Sounds great!!!

I did not really like Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe. It has some interesting information, but too much that is lacking and some parts that are potentially misleading. And the human figures of Wenjia Tang's illustrations are not at all to my tastes.

There certainly is much textual (and for the most part also major error-free) information presented by Margriet Ruurs in her 2022 picture book Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe (and I do appreciate that Ruurs is textually focussing on children, showing not only differences but equally that children's lives around the globe equally have many similarities and that Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe also includes general knowledge on maps, a detailed index, two books for further reading as well as a world map with the sixteen neighbourhoods indicated at both the front and the back of the book). But while the above mentioned details (be they geographic, cultural, religious, life-style oriented, linguistic) regarding children living in Tongareva (Cook Islands), Salt Spring Island (Canada), Cambridge (United States), Nueva Esperanza (Honduras), MÄ—rida (Venezuela), Villa Los Estrellas (Antarctica), Valencia (Spain), Amsterdam (The Netherlands), Bucharest (Romania), Cairo (Egypt), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Komanyana (Zambia), Lahore (Pakistan), Naddi (India), Beijing (China) and Chong Khneas (Cambodia) are interesting, enlightening and have for the most part been engagingly textually presented by Margriet Ruurs, sorry, but both my inner child and even more so my older adult reading self find both the general set-up for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe a bit frustrating and also think that some of the described neighbourhoods might be somewhat misleading and could cause confusion.

For one, I do think that it would be better if the sixteen neighbourhoods chosen by Ruurs for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe were either ALL small towns/villages or ALL capital cities, as I tend to find having a rather haphazard and random combination of both a bit annoying. For two (and rather more problematically), I also have trouble understanding and accepting why there are no neighbourhoods from any of the Scandinavian countries, from Australia and from Russia's vast expanse included in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe (for well, since Margriet Ruurs has four African neighbourhoods featured and described in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe, and there from South America if Antarctica is included as being Chilean, not having any of the Scandinavian countries, not having an Australian and a Russia neighbourhood is definitely kind of lacking and rather a strange oversight, and which also makes Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe not really extensive and sufficiently global for me). And for three, there are definitely parts of Where We Live: Mapping Neighbourhoods of Kids Around the Globe that (at least in my humble opinion) need either more information (like how with the Antarctica neighbourhood of Villa Los Estrellas one is left wondering what kind of a job Bruno's father has at the army base, if he is a soldier, a researcher, a custodian and that as of 2018, ANYONE moving to Villa Los Estrellas, including children, have to have their appendixes removed before coming to live there as a safety precaution) or less potential for confusion, such as (for example) the rather misleading manner in which Aidan and Nico's neighbourhood on Salt Spring Island is described by Margriet Ruurs in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe. For Salt Spring Island is not just situated in Canada (like is stated in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe) but also in the province of British Columbia and indeed this should definitely be mentioned by Ruurs, and that while Canada is indeed federally bilingual (French and English), the only Canadian province that is actually officially bilingual is New Brunswick, and Salt Spring Island is thus not officially provincially bilingual as British Columbia is not (but that indeed, how Margriet Ruurs describes Aidan and Nico learning French in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe, it sure gives the impression that in all of Canada, English and French are learned and spoken equally, and that is simply not at all the case).

And combined with the fact that while Wenjia Tang's artwork for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe is colourful and descriptive, her human characters and in particular the featured children are according to my personal aesthetics stagnant, lacking visual emotion and with creepily staring facial expressions, so no, for me, the marriage of Wenjia Tang's images and Margriet Ruurs' text Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe is not all that successful, is not all that appealing, and thus, most certainly only a two star rating for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe from me, a pretty high two stars to be sure, but definitely not enough for three (and not to mention that in particular with regard to the at times a bit misleading and prone to creating confusion featured text, while I would not consider Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe as something not to use with children, I do only recommend this book with caveats and reservations).

Finally, but also I believe sadly importantly, for a picture book published in 2022, that Margriet Ruurs does not even with one word mention global warming in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe, this is both frustrating and for me also a rather massive oversight, and in particular so since some of Ruurs' chosen locations for Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe such as for example the Cook Islands and the Netherlands will likely be severely threatened with and by extreme flooding if sea levels rise, so that for me Margriet Ruurs in Where We Live: Mapping Neighborhoods of Kids Around the Globe completely and totally ignoring (and not even once pointing out) human caused climate change and that the world's mean temperatures are rising and what this means and can mean in the not so distant future, that is at best and in my opinion a bit naive and at worst hugely and scarily problematic.