Johnson, Sylvia A. (1999). Mapping the world. New York: Atheneum Books for Young
Readers. 32 pages. ISBN # 0-689-81813-0
Awards: Orbus Pictus Honor Book, 2000
Grade: 4th-7th
Credibility of author: The author credits illustrations to the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Dr. Walter H.F. Smith of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Summary: This book tells the history of cartography and how maps changed as exploration and technology increased. It shows examples of maps including the oldest world map, a clay tablet from around 500 B.C., to the present day computer-generated maps using satellites.
Standards: Social Studies III: People, Places, and Environments
Illustrations: colored photographs of maps and satellite photos
Access features: Table of contents, credits, resources
Use: During the study of map skills in American history or geography
Response: I learned a lot about the history of cartography. After reading this book, I am amazed at how early cartographers were able to map out an unknown world with such accuracy. It’s easy for us to remember the shape of Italy or the continent of Africa, because we have seen them on maps all of our lives. How were people able to figure these shapes out just by sailing a ship around them? Cartographers of today have it so much easier with the satellite imaging, computers, and the history left behind by these early masters.
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2 comments:
This book was a 2000 Orbis Pictus Honor Book.
Small Worlds: Maps and Mapmaking by Karen Romano Young is another book all about maps. It's not a book you would read cover to cover but it would be a good reference book when you were studying about different kinds of maps from the earliest to the most recent.
A related book is Earth From Above by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. It isn't all about maps and mapmaking but on each two-page spread it includes a photograph (in some cases aerial photos) from a different place on the globe and has a short text about the photo and the location. On a small world map, the area where the photo might have been taken is highlighted. The text is by Robert Burleigh--the author of Flight (biography of Charles Lindbergh).
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