Customer Reviews

National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas (New Millennium)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Our family is captivated by this atlas. This is a world atlas that focuses mainly on continents, with some interesting facts about the countries with some fun facts. The interesting feature in the books is that it includes a lot of physical and geological information. The readers are able to grasp a perspective of the continents with and without political outlines allowing a geological view. The pictures are bright and captivating. The maps include both physical and political maps on separate pages. The physical maps are great for teaching about map keys, symbols, and geographical features. We've noticed the political maps are consistant with coloring outlines of other National Geographic's Maps.

Our children love to trace (with tracing paper) the outlines of the countinents and countries. This adds an added dimension of focus on a country's shape and surrounding geographical factors. We use this atlas as a great geographical resource and recommend the book for grades K - 2nd.

...not a geography book. According to Merriam-Webster Online dictionary the definition of atlas is: "a bound collection of maps often including illustrations, informative tables, or textual matter." That would describe this book.

The definition of geography is: "a science that deals with the description, distribution, and interaction of the diverse physical, biological, and cultural features of the earth's surface." If you want something that explain the world by "emphasizing the people and natural world" I think a geography book would be a better choice.

I found "National Geographic Beginner's World Atlas" to be excellent...especially for young children. I wish I'd had such a book when I was a kid. It has easy-to-read maps that have lots of good information, but not so much information that it is overwhelming for young children. I'm 52 and enjoyed looking at it; I even learn a few things I didn't know. I plan on getting it for my nieces.

My son starts Kindergarten fall of '10. I went to our library and borrowed several different geography and atlas books, to plan his curriculum. (We are homeschoolers) I was looking at all the different books, and had yet to get to this one. My son found it before I did, and he immediately took to it. He said it was time to do school, and kept asking me what everything said. It is true that this book does not have a lot of depth to it, but it has completely mesmerized him. We will be using the book for the entire school year, and will use it as a spring board. I will get shorter books from the library to add depth to the topics covered in this atlas. I gave this book five stars for the mere fact that it has captivated my busy little 5 year old.

By original review was :
I thought this would differ from the classic atlas format of dry statistics by emphasizing the people and natural world, but it doesn't. Check it out at the library before buying.

But my daughter has read it several times and finds it interesting, so I see that I sold the book short.

Colorful and easy to read which will appeal to children. But, for a major atlas publisher to let pass the statement "Paris, in France, is Europe's largest city" is inexcusable.