Nat'l Geo World Atlas for Young Explorers, Revised & Expanded Edition [Hardcover]

National Geographic (Author), Suzanne Fonda (Editor)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

This enhanced and completely updated edition of our award-winning and best-selling world atlas for middle-grade readers stands in a class by itself! Sparkling throughout with state-of-the-art political, physical, and thematic maps plus full-color photo essays and images from space, this engaging resource features the latest boundary and place-name changes as well as updated statistical data. A brand-new, 16-page chapter on Earth’s oceans includes detailed maps of each ocean floor and photo essays on topics ranging from amazing sea creatures to El Niño. The section of world thematic maps contains new graphics and information, including a spread on world economy and trade. Locator globes and color coding help young readers find what they need and make easy comparisons, while fact boxes, charts, geographic superlatives, national flags, a glossary, and a detailed index further enhance the book’s reference value and appeal.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

As the boundaries of our world change, so must our atlases. This generously sized 2003 edition of the award-winning National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers reflects the latest-possible place-name and boundary changes and features a new 16-page section on the world's oceans (including maps and illustrated essays) and an expanded U.S. section that provides an in-depth look at each region. If you are unfamiliar with the format of previous editions, expert National Geographic cartographers have designed more than 115 pages of colorful, easy-to-read, full-spread political (names and boundaries of countries), physical (land forms and water features), and thematic (displaying patterns such as climate) maps for children ages 8 to 12. All maps are shown in the context of surrounding areas. The plentiful color photographs, illustrations, and charts make this an interesting book to casually peruse, as do engaging captions about everything from golden toads to Pueblo Indian artists. The maps themselves are labeled with large, legible type. Students will also find a glossary of geographic terms, a chart of key world facts and figures, conversion tables, and a detailed index. A fine atlas for school projects or for browsing through on a rainy day. (Ages 8 to 12) --Karin Snelson

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-This new edition of an essential resource incorporates the latest global changes in place-names, boundaries, and statistics. Though the general appearance, at first glance, seems nearly identical to the 1998 edition, a careful look reveals that many explanations have been rewritten in clearer language or lengthened. Likewise, the majority of striking color photos remains intact, though new images and captions have been added. In the first section, "The World," new spreads on "People" and "World Economies" have replaced "Population Density" and "Transportation and Communication." Continent fact boxes reflect population shifts and changes in life expectancy. (Somewhat puzzling is the fact that the area of the U.S. seems to have increased by nearly 100,000 square miles in the past five years.) There are several new or updated country flags. The most striking addition, however, is the 14-page section on the world's oceans, which begins with marine life, followed by a fascinating discussion of the challenges of mapping the ocean floor. Another spread likens the ocean to "the Earth's radiator," explaining how it warms and controls climate. The oversized, attractive layout and engaging, easy-to-read text make this the clear choice for reference collections.
Barbara Auerbach, New York City Public Schools
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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books; Rev Exp Su edition (August 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792228790
• ISBN-13: 978-0792228790
• Product Dimensions: 13.5 x 10.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #346,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #35 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > Atlases

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars So many maps, so little time, October 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers (New Millennium) (Hardcover)

I ordered this for my 5 year old daughter because the price was right. But, I was happily surprised by how thorough and lovely the pictures are. The beginning of the book contains a comprehensive section on how to read maps, and explains how a map can represent different information (climate, politics, terrain). Each continent also had photographs of the people, and natural formations that are identified with it. That was nice!

But, all cannot be perfect alas. Many of the maps span two pages, to make it larger I presume. However, and this is REALLY annoying, you cannot see what is in the crease between the two pages! The United States is missing parts of it, Africa is bisected at the Congo. I would rather Nat'l Geographic had made each map a fold-out. I guess there would have been a chance that it would eventually get ripped out, but at least you can see the whole area being shown.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not up to expectations, December 5, 2006

By 

Grandpa&Grandma "G&G" (Seatac,, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nat'l Geo World Atlas for Young Explorers, Revised & Expanded Edition (Hardcover)

1. The book is bound in such a manner that the binding conceals map features in the binding making them difficult or impossible to see.
2. The content of explanatory material is too general. It presents no challenge to further interest children at the high end (age 11-12)
of the recommended age grouping.
A book like this should present a challenge to motivated children.
If used with an adult it would be fine for younger children, but would
bore or frustrate an adult trying to motivate an older truly interested, highly
motivated youngster. A sad commentary on the inspiration for this age
group. We are grandparents of 79 years, whose 4 children have broad and
deep interests that they have conveyed to their children.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars terrific atlas for elementary kids, October 6, 2008

By 

flower fan "Linda" (San Diego) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: National Geographic World Atlas for Young Explorers (New Millennium) (Hardcover)

I encourage my parents to purchase this atlas each year for the map unit my students do all year. It has plenty of information but is not too dense with terms.