A Child's Introduction to the World: Geography, Cultures, and People - From the Grand Canyon to the Great Wall of China

by Heather Alexander

This latest volume in Black Dog's bestselling, award-winning series for kids explores the countries, terrains, and cultures of our fascinating planet Readers ages 9 to 12 will travel around the globe, from Greenland to Tasmania, learning the locations and characteristics of continents, countries, and states and provinces in this lively introduction to our world. Starting with the basics—hemispheres, latitude and longitude, continental drift, map notation, landforms, population density, and more—the book gives kids a solid foundation to begin exploring world geography. Each section profiles a different continent, including climates and biomes (tundra, grasslands, etc.), mountain ranges and bodies of water, people and cultures, governments and industries, wildlife, and much more. And sidebars throughout offer biographies of explorers, fun facts, and projects kids can do with parents or on their own.   The book also includes a pop-up paper globe and reusable stickers.With 150 charming, original watercolor illustrations, A Child's Introduction to the World is an entertaining and comprehensive overview of our fascinating planet.

Genres: Geography, Childrens, Nonfiction, Reference, Picture Books

96 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2010

Reviews

[Tracy Reed · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've used this as a geography read-aloud in our homeschool studies for 1st - 3rd graders. I start with Charlotte Mason's Beginning Geography, Maps and Globes by Harriett Barton, and then this book. Many ideas are introduced in this book so we take it slow and and tend to look up other books or videos as we go about whichever thing they want to learn more about. At that point I pause this book, we go learn more about that thing, then we pick right back up with this book... then do it all over again. It's an enjoyable way for kids to start learning about the world around them.

The only reason I knocked it from 5 down to 4 stars is that it references some evolutionary time references a couple times, which is one reason to keep it as a read-aloud rather than an independent reader. I can either change it as I'm reading or else stop and discuss, then move on.

[Susan]

I'm a nerd for atlases.

[Deidra Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

We’re not quite there yet, but I liked it. It is beautiful.

[PottWab Regional Library]

O

[Latosha Finch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would be a good tool to introduce students to various cultures. The colors in the illustrations are bright, therefore, the pictures will hold most students' attention. There are a variety of extensions that can be done with this book. A variety of cross curriculum activities can be done due to this book containing geographical information and fact about a variety of countries. Students can write about the most interesting place to them. Student could be provided with a minimum number of facts to include in this paper.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely illustrated but there is one glaring error in the labelling of Wales on the pages about the UK. It is labelled in completely the wrong place which makes me worry about the overall accuracy of this book.