The 52 illustrated maps in this book invite the reader on a journey of exploration around the world. Opening with an original style of contents page, consisting of a world map with countries labelled with the pages where information can be found, the atlas is divided into eight sections, looking at countries within each continent plus the Arctic and Antarctica. Not every country in, fro example Africa or South America, is included, but, those that are, give a flavour of the variety to be found there. I like the way that the European section travels southwards from Iceland, which means that countries such as Croatia and Romania are given equal space alongside the perhaps more familiar France and Spain. There is a dearth of information about some of these places (publishers tend to concentrate on what they see as the 'main' countries), particularly for young children. This book would have been very welcome at my school last term when Iceland was included in the Year 1 topic of Around the World! Each large, intricately detailed double page spread features fascinating facts, places of interest, wildlife and important people, all of which could provide a springboard for discussion and further research. This is an innovative approach to geography which will keep young and not so young, discoverers coming back again and again to pore over the quirky, delightful drawings. A must for the primary library or classroom; every page provides a good display opportunity! -- Jayne Gould * The School Librarian Journal *
The tagline on this gorgeous book promises you can 'Travel the globe without leaving your living room' and, for the armchair traveller this surely is the most fun way of doing so. The book of 52 brilliantly illustrated maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly meticulous drawings from Polish duo Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski. It details not only borders, cities, rivers and peaks but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants. Released by wonderful new publishing house, Big Picture Press, MAPS is part of a series created by a stellar list of artists, each title being design-led, and being a joy for children and adult design-lovers alike. * Cotswold Life *
While we have a lot of books in our house, we realised recently that we didn't have a lot of reference books. As children, we both loved stumbling across a book too heavy to even lift, let alone open and read; a book full of facts and numbers; a book whose story you discovered through its ideas rather than its prose. So, when we both laid eyes on Maps by Aleksandra and Daniel Mizielinski, we got really excited. Sure enough, it's a huge book that has little to no chance of ever fitting on a bookshelf and it is full of facts beautifully presented. Every turn of the page presents a new country and a whole set of stories. The book invites you to 'Travel the globe without leaving your living room'. That is not a boast; you really get a strong sense of each country and feel like you've really been on a journey if you read it cover to cover. As book lovers, we often experience the feeling of traveling without leaving a room. Books have the wonderful ability to transport you all around the world and beyond. What makes Maps so special, aside from its fantastic and unique illustrations and fun and quirky facts, is the sheer atmosphere it creates and the feeling of discovery you get from turning its pages. Maps is a truly one-of-a-kind reference book for all ages and I urge you to take the trip to your local bookstore, and then sit back and travel the globe...from your couch! -- Daniel Morrfew * Fable Patch Tree *
Much more than an ordinary atlas, this book of maps is a visual feast for readers of all ages, with lavishly drawn illustrations from the incomparable Mizielinskis. It features not only borders, cities, rivers, and peaks, but also places of historical and cultural interest, eminent personalities, iconic animals and plants, cultural events and many more fascinating facts associated with every region of our planet. * Scottish Book Trust *
This is a book I coveted as soon as I clapped eyes on it... The illustrations are engrossing with the right amount of detail (avoiding information overkill). It is a book that invites you to brood, browse - and travel. -- Kate Kellaway * The Guardian *
A great first atlas for kids... * Lonely Planet Traveller *
