Saturday, March 31, 2012

Somervill, Barbara. The Story Behind Maps.


Somervill, Barbara.     The Story Behind Maps.  Heinemann (Capstone), 2012.   32p.  $29.00  ISBN 978-1-4329-5443-7      elm/ms      VG-BN      
     A small book with a lot of information, this title presents information about the different types of maps in existence since the first one was created, what maps represent, how to read maps, how technology has been integrated into mapmaking, and the historical figures involved in mapmaking.      
     If this book were an audiotape, the information presented would be considered to be that of sound bites. All of the information here (and there is a lot) is presented in its most abridged form, and this is how the author has managed to be very concise and informative about such a broad topic. Checkmarked side bars are used throughout, highlighting specific bits of information, such as "Ptolemy’s Geographia," on page 7 and "The Equator" on page 17.  The book concludes with a timeline, glossary, references for further information (both print and web), and an index.      
     This book belongs to the series True Stories, and if other titles in the set are as informative and comprehensive, the series would be a welcome addition to any elementary-school, middle-school or public-library collection.     
Subject: Maps    
Lynn Fisher

 

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