Community Maps

Gr 2–6—A solid and predictable series. Country, Land, and World cover climate, natural resources, economic, physical, political, and road maps. Community covers street, public-transportation, land, building, and precinct maps. Each book includes a chapter about how the specific types of maps are created and one about reading them. Features, which may include a compass rose, grid, landmarks, latitude and longitude, scale, elevation and depth, colors, and symbols, are discussed. In every book, readers will find "Mapoleon," a cartoon character that provides additional "map smart" tidbits; an activity; and a quiz. Illustrations are numerous and the occasional full-color photograph works well with the texts. The writing is clear and informational but not terribly engaging; there is considerable overlap among the titles. That said, they are, nonetheless, solid choices to supplement and support the curriculum.—Stephanie Farnlacher, Trace Crossings Elementary School, Hoover, AL