What a Map Can Do

by Gabrielle Balkan, Alberto Lot (Illustrator)

An accessible and humorous introduction to maps for budding navigators.

A raccoon narrator embarks on a big adventure in this exciting exploration of maps for the youngest readers. Traditional maps of cities, roads, and parks are joined by some less conventional ones such as inside the body, each one methodically introduced with humor and clear explanation. A clever, colorful, and engaging first look at constructing and decoding maps.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Childrens, Maps, Travel, Animals, Kids

48 pages, Hardcover

Published July 18, 2023

About the author

Gabrielle Balkan writes for readers of all ages, equally enjoying picture books and readers as chapter books and young adult fiction. Her works include The Dog Rules by Coco LaRue, a Scholastic Book Fairs best-seller that sold 150,000 copies and demanded a follow-up.

One of her first forays into writing nonfiction was “America is hard to See,” a children's audio guide for the the inaugural exhibit at the Whitney Museum of Art's Gansevoort location. The 50 States was Gabrielle's first non-fiction book and was followed by two companion books, two activity sets, one follow-up atlas: 50 Cities.

She's also the author of BOOK OF BONES (an International Literacy Association pick) and it's companion, BOOK OF FLIGHT (coming in Spring 2019).

Before embarking on a career as a full-time writer, Gabrielle was a book buyer for the Scholastic Reading Clubs, a commissioning editor for Scholastic Paperbacks, and the Director of Communications for City and Country School.

Gabrielle was raised across from the State Fair Grounds in Indianapolis, Indiana and lived short stints in Augusta, Georgia and Zurich, Switzerland. After graduating with a degree in English and Elementary Education from Barnard College she decided to see what else the city had to offer, and now lives with her family in Brooklyn.

Reviews

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

At 60 years of age, you'd think I'd have learned enough about maps that this children's book would simply be cute. I am embarrassed, yet excited, to admit I learned a lot here. Today I have a whole new appreciation for the depth and breadth of the usefulness of maps, in all their various shapes, sizes and types.

Read this to a child you know. You'll both have a great time learning that maps are simply fantastic.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Maps of rooms, neighborhoods, and cities. Bus maps. Museum maps. Road maps. Maps of the human body & a national forest. Trail maps. Weather maps. Star maps. What a Map Can Do gives little explorers an entertaining crash course on maps – what they do, how to use them, and how to read them.

As a former elementary school teacher, I loved the variety of maps covered, and I can see this being an invaluable teaching tool for a classroom or home-school unit on maps. Each new map could be a springboard for further discussion and engaging supplementary activities. You could easily do an entire lesson each on several of the individual pages, and the natural order in which the book is laid out makes that part of the unit planning easy. I was very much impressed with the number of different skills that children can learn by spending some time in What a Map Can Do – concepts like a bird’s eye view, symbols, keys, a compass rose, the difference between interstates and routes, weather terms, constellations, an index. There are just so many possibilities for how this book can be utilized in a home or school educational setting. But it’s also done in such a way that children are engaged, interactive, and having fun all along the way. Lot’s illustrations are bright and colorful with fun little things for children to find, and they serve as the perfect companion to Balkan’s text.

Bottom Line: What a Map Can Do by Gabrielle Balkan is a great resource for any home or school library, a delightful way to introduce children to a variety of maps and map skills. With the cute raccoon guide and engaging illustrations, children won’t even care that they’re learning because they’re having too much fun! I wish I’d had this in my classroom when I taught map skills, but it’s also a great choice for anyone who is intentional about having ‘teachable moments’ with the kiddos in their lives, be it a parent who home-schools, a public or private school teacher, a grandparent, or (of course) a cool aunt.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute introduction to maps! I ended up finishing this on my own without my four year old because she lost interest. But I did like all of the different types of maps it highlighted.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was BLOWN AWAY by how my child interacted with this book! It is so expertly crafted! It asks for constant problem-solving from the child, and the situations are fun enough that they compelled my kid to look for the answers.

We look at 12 different kinds of maps, from a very simple map of the narrators room, to a city map, a highway map, and even a star map! Each page explains what the map does, and then asks kids to find things on the map, search for routes, and other map-related activities. By the end of this book, I think most 5 year olds will have at least a basic understanding of how to use a map.

This would be a GREAT intro to an activity for your kid: having them map their own room, house, and possibly even neighborhood! You could even make little cut-outs of their furniture, so they can "rearrange" their room! Just be prepared to lend the muscle!

[Kayla Yirdaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated and simply written book to introduce kids to maps. Balkan starts small with her maps (like a bedroom- typically the level of map used in kindergarten) and gradually expands to larger conceptual areas discussed in order grades (a house, a neighborhood, a city, the state, etc). Gives students an opportunity with each map to practice reading it, locating places, using the key, and finding a route. It even explains cardinal directions. I’d love to use this with my second graders.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a super introduction to the concept of maps for the youngest. I would use it as a great introduction for first and second graders to using and making maps as the story begins with a map of a room, followed by a map of a house, and gradually builds onward with ten more maps. Illustration s are clear with great colors but in no way overwhelming with detail on the maps. This is the first illustrated book published in the USA for the illustrator Albert Lot.

[Amy Oberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

"What a Map Can Do" is the kind of nonfiction picture book needed by educators and librarians to update or expand the 900s collection. With bold illustrations and informative text, this picture book is both engaging and informative.

Publication Date: 2023
Format: Picture book
Elements: Vibrant, 2-page spreads with text on the left side/map on the right side; simple typeface
Connection/Topics: Maps (12 different types); elements of a map (keys, symbols, compass rose, etc.)

[Spider · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very cool book! It showed us all different kinds of maps and all the ways they can be used, and each one was interactive. We got to find things on the map and figure out how all of the pieces work to tell us what we need to know. It was very well thought out. Each page was a different kind of map, but the narrative flowed from one to the next in a very natural way. Definitely a book for older kids (the baby was not that interested), but an awesome piece of art!

[Susie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took notice of this book because the author recently visited our Indiana State Library. I am afraid that many kids these days (actually, many adults) have lost a sense of spatial awareness on a large scale. I know too many people who rely on GPS for navigation without having a sense of where they are in relation to many other things, and especially in what direction they are traveling. My own students had such a sense of awe in seeing a globe, or even a world map. A co-worker regularly had students create a home-to-school map as a first assignment, often with hilarious/concerning results. There are so many activities you could do with this, and ways to interact with the text.

[Bethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice introduction to maps for the youngest reader, starting with a basics map of a very familiar place: a bedroom. Map examples expand in complexity and places, eventually ending up with to a road map with freeways and a national forest. Also included is a weather map and constellation chart. Cute little raccoon asks the reader to use the map to find places and things for an interactive experience. Love that he has his bedtime book and flashlight!

[Andrew Garchar · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Map Can Do is a beautiful story both in terms of writing and illustrations. This provides children with the valuable, but often boring lesson on the importance of maps. Balkan aims to bring some vibrancy to the lesson through her witty writing. She showcases various maps, from big cities and national boarders to ocean currents and landscapes. This story highlights the versatility of maps, while keeping the reader engaged through the use of illustrations. Great read!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what a perfect educational picture book looks like! If you are an educator who plans to teach map skills to a young audience, this book introduces simple maps (such as a map of a bedroom) and scaffolds in more complex concepts such as map keys so that kids can read bus maps, road maps, and weather maps.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great intro to maps for elementary aged readers. I like how it is sequenced outward from one room and that it includes star mapping. This would make for a great mapping project for a class or homeschool group.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains maps so well for younger audiences! The way it encourages them to interact with the story makes for a great lap read where kids will be super engaged answering questions and solving problems. Really well done.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent picture that introduces many differnt kinds of maps. We cover maps pretty heavily in our curriculum, so this will be a must-have addition. From a bedroom map to a road map and constellations.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Map Can Do takes a seemingly boring subject and makes learning about maps interactive and fun for kids. The book provides many opportunities for the child to practice reading different types of maps in fun ways.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the PERFECT book to use to introduce young kids to what maps are. I love that it was interactive and had the reader do different tasks using each page's maps. I will definitely be adding this to my elementary library collection and encourage teachers to use it in their lessons.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

And you thought paper maps were obsolete, this little book which shows a variety of maps will leave you thinking about maps in a whole new way. Maps are more than a way for finding out how to get from here to there.

[Mompop · Rating 4 out of 5]

pair with Me on the map by Joan Sweeney

[Lauren Bosshammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great introduction to maps for young kids! The illustrations are cute, and I love all the different types of maps/symbols showcased.

[DaNae · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent introduction to the how and why of maps.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding book for teaching map skills to youngsters.

[Y.Poston]

a delightful exploration of all kinds of maps

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

colorful introductory book about different types of maps; easy fiction book, but reads more like a NF book.

[Ron Frampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction of why we need maps and how to make them for children.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Great introduction to maps!

[Carol Gordon Ekster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know elementary classrooms will love this picture book! Clever and unique. Loved it.

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a cute book, sort of à la Dora the Explorer, where our raccoon narrator shows us how to use different maps and how to navigate the world around us.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction for kids about different kinds of maps. Great educational books for teachers.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great interactive read