Hello Friends, Have you been enjoying summer? It has been a wonderful season here. I made a list of summer things I wanted to do and finally checked off the last ones. Don’t you love books that take you other places? I recently read one that I’ve been sharing with my writer friends and others […]
If I Kiss You, Will I Get Diabetes? – a review
From time to time, life throws a new challenge your way. I remember the day that our son was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. A whole new road had to be maneuvered, new vocabulary learned, and meal planning became filled with extra importance. I wish back then that we had the book: If I […]
The Map of Good Memories
Every once in awhile I come across a book that seems so important that I just need to add it to my book collection. I have discovered a new favorite: The Map of Good Memories written by Fran Nuno and illustrated by Zuzanna Celej Spanish Title – El Mapa de los Buenos momentos translated […]
A to Z April Blog Challenge – Reflections and a Quiz
Writing a blog post daily (almost) is certainly a challenge. Each year I wonder why I am doing the A to Z April Blog Challenge and by the letter J I wonder if I’ll finish. But, I press on because I enjoy being part of this blogging community and the challenge gives me an opportunity […]
Zoo Maps in Kid Lit
Zoo maps are usually the first maps that children see and learn to read. They are heavily illustrated with animals and the paths show clear directions to get from place to place. Kids learn that a map can help you to get where you want to go. Children also love the maps in zoo books […]
Y – Are We There Yet?
Y is for Yet as in – Are we there yet? Is there any traveler who hasn’t asked that question or had to answer that question? It is a popular book topic with many sharing clever suggestions on how to make the journey more enjoyable. But, for those trips being taken through the pages of […]
X Marks the Spot
X marks the spot is a popular title. And, why not? It conjures up visions of adventure and treasure. Who would’t want to find a map marked with an X? Share these books with the children in your life and take off on a literary treasure hunt- X Marks the Spot by R. Schuyler (author) and […]
Wind in the Willows – a classic map
This map found in The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham, is one of the classic maps many of us hold dear. It was drawn by Ernest H. Shepard who also drew the map in Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne. The map, however, was not in the original edition of the book written […]
V is for Vintage Maps in Children’s Books
Maps are visual art that communicates information to give us a sense of place. We read maps and we read books. And, in my opinion, books containing maps are the best kind of books. I’ve shared many maps this past month for the A to Z April Blog Challenge and I could easily go on […]
Under the Sea – mapping an unknown world
Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea; Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor by Robert Burleigh (author) Raúl Colón (illustrator) Simon & Schuster (2016) picture book biography grades Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea is a book for anyone interested in maps and map-making. It tells the story of Marie Tharp who,as a girl, loved maps. She […]
Treasure Island – the story of the map that inspired a book
I still remember the day that I opened an old copy of Treasure Island and read these words: And so begins one of the world’s greatest pirate novels with arguably the most well-known map included in a book. This is the classic adventure written by Robert Louis Stevenson, which tells the tale of the […]
Swallows! Ahoy! adventures illustrated with maps
‘Ahoy! Ahoy! Swallows! Ahoy!’ This year for the A to Z Blog Challenge, I have been on the lookout for maps in children’s literature. When I shared my theme, a number of bloggers asked if I was going to write about Swallows and Amazons. I answered, “of, course!” But, truth be told, I had never […]
R is for Redwall – a world with maps
Fantasy series are the ones that most generously include maps which enable readers immediately enter and gain an understanding of the world the characters inhabit. The Redwall series is not exception. REDWALL by Brian Jacques (author) Troy Howell (cover artist) maps drawn by different artists series began in 1986 and ended in 2011 Redwall is […]
Q is for Quilts – Leading the way to freedom
Slavery is a difficult but important topic to teach to young children. One of the best ways is to share stories featuring the amazing Freedom Quilt Maps. These quilts sewn with block patterns were displayed as signals to slaves as they set out to the north during on the Underground Railroad. Because quilts were so […]
P is for Passport, Paper Towns, and a Parade
I am always up for a trip somewhere out of the country where I can use my passport. I’ve had many passports over the years and it’s fun to look through them and see the stamps from the many places I’ve been. But, am I the only one who never likes their passport photo? In […]