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 to dive into a topic that fascinates me.

My theme this year has been Maps in Children’s Literature. I am a Cartophile – a lover of maps. They give me my bearings and are the starting point for adventures both real and imagined. I spent the month wandering through literary maps and was thrilled to discover so many that illustrate exciting landscapes and journeys. As I went through old and new children’s books I marveled at how maps make us feel like we are traveling alongside each book’s characters. I don’t think there’s a book that couldn’t be made better by the inclusion of a map. In conclusion, books plus maps make the perfect combination.

Here are a few that I didn’t share during the challenge. Can you identify  the book by its map?

1.

 

2.

 

3.

4.

 

5.

 

BONUS:

 

1. Richard Scarry’s Best Word Book Ever 1999

2. Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson 1944

3. The Princess Bride by William Goldman 1973

4. Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift 1726

5.  The Adventures of Tin Tin – Cigars of the Pharaoh  by Herge 1955

BONUS: The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll 1874
This shows the map from the Bellman’s speech, which, being blank, he considers to be equally useful everywhere, unlike normal maps:

“Other maps are such shapes, with their islands and capes!

    But we’ve got our brave Captain to thank”

(So the crew would protest) “that he’s brought us the best–

    A perfect and absolute blank!”

Are there any books that you think would be better if a map was included?

I will be continuing to write and share more children’s books in the months to come so I hope you’ll stop by for a visit from time to time.