Waldron, Melanie. How to Read a Map.

Waldron, Melanie.  How to Read a Map.  Capstone/Heinemann     2013  32p ISBN 978-1-4109-4899-1 series: Let’s Get Mapping  elem  E-Bnes  Nonfiction          

This slim book provides an excellent introduction to the basic skills necessary to read a map correctly.  Beginning with an overview of different types of maps, the author discusses the categories of information found on maps, including symbols, compass roses, color shading, contour lines and spacing, map scales, latitude and longitude lines, and directions on how to use the map.  Each topic is covered in a two-page spread highlighted with clear color photographs of the maps described and of children using these maps.  The book ends with a picture of a map and questions relating to this map with included answers, a glossary, bibliography of books and web sites, and an index.      

This excellent new series includes books describing how to read a map, mapping communities, mapping information, mapping the land and weather, mapping the world, and types of maps.  Each includes a mapping activity as the culminating exercise.       

Summary: This slim book provides an excellent introduction to the skills necessary to read a map correctly.        

Maps                                                        --Susan Ogintz

Nardo, Don. India.

Nardo, Don.  India.  Scholastic/ Childrens Press      144p  $39.00      978-0-531-25310-6 ms/hs   Series: Enchantment of the World (Scholastic/Childrens)*#5     VG-BN      

This book provides a brief overview of India, covering geography, economy, culture, customs and history.  India is one of the largest and most densely populated countries in the world, a land of beauty with rural farmlands and incredibly massive cities.  Some of the cities are very modern but also have pockets of extreme poverty.  The country is a study in contrasts: the modern versus the old fashioned. It is very advanced technologically, yet its growing population and crippling poverty mean that the technology cannot reach everyone.

There are over 1.2 billion people living in India today, covering more than 1.2 million square miles.  Another study in contrasts is the geographical one: the valleys versus the high mountains.

The book provides beautiful colorful photos, with breathtaking views of India’s landscapes and interesting historical sites and towns.  There are sidebars that highlight interesting people, places, and events.  It also includes an easy Indian recipe to make at home or at school so that the readers have opportunity to experience foreign cuisine firsthand.  There is a section of Fun facts and statistics, a timeline, a bibliography, a web site, and an index.   

Enchantment of the World includes books on Australia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, and Israel.  The books are very colorful and cover the history, geography, economy and the modern world of each country.               --Magna Diaz

Rau, Dana Meachen. The Midwest.

Rau, Dana Meachen.  The Midwest.    Scholastic/ Childrens Press   48p  $20.00  978-0 531-24850-8  elem      Series: A True Book (Scholastic/Childrens)  VG-BNes           

This book provides a good introduction to research for the very young elementary student, with key words in bold face and definitions in the back, an index, chapter headings, fact boxes, a list of resources for further research and a list of places to visit.  The writing is easy to read and understand, and the graphics are attractive and helpful.  I found only one error: the definition of “fertile” in the “Important Words” section equates an adjective with a noun.  (Instead, it should say “fertile -- good for growing crops and plants”.)

The book begins with an easy question, and asks readers to look for the answer within the text, which is a good device for getting the children’s attention.                                             --Carol Kennedy

Rau, Dana Meachen. The Northeast.

Rau, Dana Meachen.      The Northeast.    Scholastic/ Childrens Press   48p   $25.20      978-0 531-24851-5       elem      Series: A True Book (Scholastic/Childrens)      Average                      

This book offers an introduction to the eleven states that make up the northeastern region of the United States.  The Northeast provides a brief introduction to life in the northeastern states of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  The 48-page volume glosses over many details for some states and provides none for others.  For example, Delaware is mentioned only once (on page seven), in a listing of the northeastern states.  In the timeline, which only goes through 1820, Giovanni da Verrazano is credited with exploring the northeastern coast of America for France in 1524, but no details of his exploration are provided in the text. The information under "Climate" is very general.  In the "Important Terms" section, "continental climate" is highlighted and given a definition, but "subtropical climate" is not.

Topics that the text describes include a history of the region from the settlement of Plymouth Colony through Hurricane Irene in 2011; animals, landforms and climate of the region; and some economic factors. Overall, the choice of what is included and what is not included appears to be random.  For example, on page 43, the "True Statistics" section names the major rivers of the region as the Connecticut, Hudson, and Delaware.  However, the sole map of the region (on page 6) shows rivers, but they are not labeled.  This could be confusing, particularly in Pennsylvania, which has several rivers (including the Susquehannah River, a major source of water for the Chesapeake Bay). 

Readers who enjoy collecting facts about a variety of topics may enjoy this book.  However, unless your collection doesn't have a more in-depth treatment of this topic, this book is a peripheral choice.  Each volume of the A True Book series invites readers to read the book to discover which of two statements on the first page is true and which is false.     

                                                      -- Hilary Welliver