There's a Map on My Lap!: All About Maps

This book, inspired by Dr. Seuss, is all about maps. The author gives the reader a clear definition of maps and at the bottom of each page has a box with extended definitions. For example the author gives the definition of the word cartographer. This is a great book for children, with great illustrations. ( )

The Cat in the Hat teaches Dick and Sally about cartography and the uses of different kinds of maps. ( )

Cat in the Hat picks up some children for a trip around the world, with a map in his lap. He teaches the children all the different parts of a map, and many of the different types of maps too. Cat in the Hat has the children build their own puzzle map of the United States of America and discuss what the states look like to them. He tells the children that they can go anywhere and not get lost as long as they have a map in their lap.

I though this was a very cute way to introduce geography. It discusses key parts of a map such as legends, direction, grids, scale, latitude and longitude. It also introduces many different types of maps to the children and tells what each map lets you discover. Although the book is very educational, it is actually fun to read and hear. The silly rhyming would keep the children interested.

1) Make our own acronyms to remember the directions.
2) Use this book as an opener to a geography unit, or look at city, state, and country maps. Help the children understand distance and relationship in the country.

Dr. Seuss wrote a book for children to learn more about maps and the concepts associated with reading them! Students will enjoy learning about maps with him!

A great introduction to the wonderful world of maps for kids! ( )