What a Map Can Do

written by Gabrielle Balkan      |      illustrated by Alberto Lot
published by Rise x Penguin Workshop |  July 25, 2023 | 978-0593519981
ages 3-8 |    48 pages    |  
>> AVAILABLE: Your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop (Bookshop affiliate links support the author and independent bookstores), Penguin Random House
>> ORDER SIGNED COPIES through Oblong Books—they ship!
>> ACTIVITY SHEETS: Let’s Make a Raccoon Adventure Puppet, Let’s Make a Map of Our Bedroom, Library Program Ideas, Raccoon Adventure Grid Drawing
>> Companion book coming in Fall 2025: What Medicine Can Do

An accessible and humorous introduction to maps for budding navigators.

A raccoon narrator embarks on a big adventure in this exciting exploration of maps for the youngest readers. Traditional maps of cities, roads, and parks are joined by some less conventional ones such as inside the body, each one methodically introduced with humor and clear explanation. A clever, colorful, and engaging first look at constructing and decoding maps.

Includes: About the Author and Illustrator, Map Index.

AWARDS

SELECT REVIEWS

“So many places to go. How to explore them? With maps! A standout picture book that both entertains and teaches.” — Kirkus, starred review

“A clever instructional volume that helps young readers acquire the art of map reading.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This introduction to maps that will have readers learning and laughing together." — School Library Journal

“I love that map book. It’s such an organized book. Did you know that maps are the most usefulest tools in the world?” — local six year old

AUTHOR CHAT with YA and Kids! Books Central

  • YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

  • Gabe: I am really, really proud of the title. For me, settling on a title is one of the most challenging parts of creating a book. How do you capture everything you’ve tried to do in a book with a memorable and clear title that is also an invitation to the reader?! In this case, noodling around for a title that did all those things helped me put the finishing touches on words inside the book. As you flip through racoon’s travel adventures, you can see how the title and the story work together… A map can show us which buses to take, a map can show us things we cannot see, a map can help us be prepared, and lots more!

  • Read the rest at YABooksCentral.com

INTERNATIONAL EDITIONS

 

Download the 2024 Great Reads Youth List and find more literacy supporting materials at the National Book Festival website: https://www.loc.gov/events/2024-national-book-festival/schedule/family-friendly-activities/