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) […]
Blogging A to Z
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 […]
E is for Endpapers – Literary maps from A to Z
It is said that you can’t always tell a book by its cover but I think you can tell a lot about a book by its Endpapers. Endpapers are the first peek a reader gets when opening a book. These two pages at the front and back are an opportunity for the illustrator to creatively […]
D is for Dinosaur on a literary mapping journey
Welcome to Day Four of the A to Z April Blog Challenge. This year I’m wandering through children’s books with maps. Who doesn’t like dinosaurs and love to learn where they once roamed the earth? One of my classroom favorites is: Where to Look for a Dinosaur by Bernard Most (author and illustrator) The simple […]
C is for Cities
I live in rural America but love to visit cities to get my fill of museums, theaters, restaurants, and shops. Today I am sharing a great book for those who love the excitement of being in the city. 50 Cities of the U.S.A. written and researched by Gabrielle Balkan Illustrated by Sol Linero Wide […]
B is for Biography – mapping a trip around the world
Welcome to Day 2 of Blogging A to Z where I’m blogging this year about maps found in children’s books. I love to find a biography that includes maps of where the subject lived and traveled. I am fascinated by Nelly Bly and all that she accomplished. She was the ultimate traveler! The Daring Nellie […]
A is for Atlas, Adventure, and Australia
A is for April which means that the 2018 A to Z Blog challenge has officially begun. This year I am on the lookout for Literary Maps. I am defining literary quite loosely as I am focusing on maps in children’s books. Unfortunately, people don’t seem to be that interested in maps these days. I […]
Literary Maps from A to Z – theme reveal
My life of wanderlust began within the pages of books. Stories accompanied my maps fascinated me as a child. I spent hours pouring over book maps which made feel that I was traveling with the characters. I even wrote my own stories, always illustrating them with maps. I also sketched real life maps for Halloween […]
#A-Zchallenge Reflections Post 2017 Edition
I love the alphabet and throughout my careers as a reading specialist, kindergarten teacher, children’s librarian, and mother of 4, I have read my fair share of alphabet books. I think alphabetical order is a wonderful way to organize information which is what drew me to the A-to-Z Blog Challenge 3 years ago. […]
Z is for Zzzzzzz
Welcome to the Z edition of the A to Z Blog Challenge featuring Library Love. Z is for Zzzzzz. People always seem to catch a few zzzzz’s in the library. Perhaps it is because libraries are calm and quiet. Perhaps it is because a boring text is being read. I know that I fell asleep […]
Y is for Young Adult and Y is for You
We’ve arrived at the letter Y on our Library Love journey through the alphabet. Y is for Young Adult Library Services Did you know that many libraries have young adult sections? Young adult patrons are defined as teens between the ages of 12 and 18. Many libraries hire librarians and staff who are specially trained […]