Geography from A to Z [Hardcover]

Jack Knowlton (Author), Harriet Barton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Have you ever wondered what a badland is? What about a gulch? Do you wonder what an isthmus is? Or a seamount? What about the difference between a plateau and a plain, or a knob and a knoll? Well, here are the answers! The sixty-three entries from A to Z describe the earth's features -- its physical geography -- from the highest mountain peak to the deepest ocean trench, in clear, concise terms. Each entry is beautifully illustrated in full color. This is a perfect introduction to the dramatic and fascinating face of the vast world around us. The author and artist of the best-selling "MAPS & GLOBES" team up again, this time to prove that geography can indeed be an adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4 Sixty-three geographical terms are simply defined and illustrated. Clear, uncluttered illustrations with bright contrasting colors and black outlines help clarify the meaning of each term. Little prior knowledge is expected of readers, and almost all terms used in definitions which might puzzle some readers are defined elsewhere in the glossary. Both common words such as mountain and less frequently encountered terms such as meander are defined. Some sub-definitions are included, such as cataract and cascade under waterfall. While alternate terms are usually given, alternate spellings are not, so children would not find out that a key (defined) is also a cay (not mentioned). A major drawback is the lack of a pronunciation guide. Most young readers seeing the first word, archipelago, won't know how to pronounce it. While the focus of most illustrations is clear, there are a few places where readers may be confused. For example, one small picture could be either a marsh or a bog; both are defined on the page. Given the renewed emphasis on geographical skills and the scarcity of materials for this age group, this book would be a priority purchase for most collections. It is not, however, a book many children will select to read independently. Louise L. Sherman, Anna C. Scott School, Leonia, N.J.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This resource will be valuable for young geographers." -- -- Booklist

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (October 4, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0690046162
• ISBN-13: 978-0690046168
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,350,330 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #64 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Geography

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for kids! Adults love it too!, July 18, 2002

By 

gwennie-michele "gwennie-michele" (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)

This book is really well done. Though it is targeted for children, this 40-plus year old found it very informative. After searching through the adult catalog at the local library for a book that would explain landforms and earth features and finding nothing, I found this book in the young people's collection. It was a Godsend. I found it so useful, that I am now purchasing it for my personal library.

If you, like me, have never been clear in your own mind about the difference between a hill and a mountain; a mesa and a butte; a brook, creek, or stream; a river, lake or pond; a sea and an ocean; a canyon and a gorge, and on and on, then this book will painlessly de-mystify these terms for you and many more.

Thanks to the authors and publishers of this fine book, I am less dumbfounded by my physical surroundings, and at least know now what I probably should have learned in grade school

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have book!, March 20, 2000

By 

Francesca Manisco (New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary (Trophy Picture Books) (School & Library Binding)

I'd like to thank Jack Knowlton and Harriett Barton for writing and illustrating "Geography from A to Z."

My daughter and I had a great time reading it together and she became the only first grader to know the basics of geography. A life long lesson.

I recommend this book for all children and would definitely give it as a gift.

"Geography from A to Z" has become part of my permanent library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good introduction to geography and reference books, October 21, 2005

By 

audrey (white mtns) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Geography from A to Z: A Picture Glossary (Trophy Picture Books) (Paperback)

Being a glossary, this book is a dictionary of geography terms beginning with "archipelago" and ending with "zone". Definitions are short and incomplete, but enough for the target audience of 7-10 year olds. The illustrations are bold and colorful.

See also "Maps and Globes" by the same team for the same age group.