Geography can be fun for children. Environments by Susan Hoe introduces children to the field of cartography.

The first couple chapters answer basic questions like, "What is a map?" and "Why do we use maps?". The students are then shown how to map something they're familiar with, a classroom. This might prove challenging for a home schooler, but home schooled children can just follow along with the pictures of a classroom that are given. From there, the book moves on to mapping a larger area like a town, a village and a whole country. A chapter is set aside for newer technological advances that aid in mapping as well as a section on how the weather can change a map. Finally, the student is encouraged to create an imaginary map all their own. A glossary and index round out the book.

Students who are learning about geography may like the presentation of mapping in this book. The pictures are bright and engaging and explain the content well. Students are taken all over the world in their quest to understand environments and how to map them. If your students seem a little bored with their current geography study, this book will add a very welcome change of pace.

Product Review by Lyria Moore, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, March, 2009