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 […]
To Oz! on a wonderful journey through children’s literary maps.
Today for the letter O on the A to Z Blog Challenge, we’re traveling over the rainbow and down the yellow brick road using maps of the Land of Oz. This map was created for Frank L. Baum’s 1908 play and lecture series, The Fairylogue and Radio Plays that were intended to promote the first […]
Onward and Upward to Narnia and the North
We’ve reached the Letter N on the A to Z Blog Challenge and have arrived in Narnia. I venture to say that most of you reading this little post are familiar with the maps of Narnia and the author of The Chronicles, C. S. Lewis. The art and the maps of the original The […]
Maps
I am participating in the A to Z April Blog Challenge which encourages people to write posts on a theme each day (except Sunday) with the alphabet determining each day’s topic. I am on a literary journey looking at maps in children’s books and have reached the midpoint of the challenge. I have far too […]
Lost!
Lost? Then you need a map! Lucy in the City by Julie Dillemuth (author) and Laura Wood (illustrator) Magination Press Lucy and her raccoon family head out into the night in search of dinner. Lucy is so busy licking the jar of peanut butter that she doesn’t hear her father say “Time to go!” She […]
Kingdom Maps in Kid Lit
What’s a literary kingdom without a map? Fantasy is the genre where fantastic maps abound. Maps provide guides to adventures held within the pages. For today’s April A to Z Blog Challenge, I’d like to share some series that will bring you into some very different kingdoms. The Kingdom of Wrenly by Jordan Quinn (author) […]
J is for the Journey
For me a journey begins with a map. I like to look at an overview and then the details. I like all kinds of maps – physical, political, topographical, climatic, thematic, and good old road maps. I was excited to find a series of books that celebrate journeys written by Martha Day Zschock and published […]
I is for Islands in Kid Lit Maps
Books that involve runaways and dangerous settings are magnets for young readers. Add a map and danger and you have a book that will intrigue and delight children which is why My Father’s Dragon has been in print since 1948. My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (author) and Ruth Chrisman Gannett (illustrator) […]
H is for Hobbit on an alphabetical journey through literary maps
Today for the letter H, I am sharing maps that are probably among the most recognizable and beloved of any map illustrations found in books. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien Originally published in 1937 by George Allen & Unwin, The Hobbit is considered to be one of the most popular and important books of the […]
G is for Geography in the A to Z of Literary Maps
One of the most dramatic areas of geographic study is that of the movement of people escaping war, drought, and terrorism. This is not a new phenomena but goes back to the dawn of history. There so many gripping stories of refugees and today I’d like to share of of the most beautiful and emotionally […]
F is for Fairy Land Maps
Wouldn’t you love to go to Fairy Tale Land? We can at least get a glimpse of this magical place through maps. The Magic Map Book This rare 1908 British book tells the adventures of two children and includes a map so that readers can follow them on their journey. There are […]