National Geographic Kids Beginner’s World Atlas, 4th Edition

Gr 2-5–This fourth edition is very similar to the third edition, though the target age has been changed from ages five to eight to seven to ten. The first chapter, “Understanding Your World,” is followed by a chapter on each of the continents. North America receives the most space. Mexico is briefly mentioned. Each chapter begins with a two-page spread, three-quarters of which showcase a scenic color photo representing that continent. Another spread within the chapter covers the world, including a physical map showing landforms, and one- to two-sentence descriptions of the land regions, water, climate, plants, and animals of the continent. Another two pages describe the political world; countries, cities, people, and languages, along with a five-color political map. The font used for the main text is better than that used in the third edition. The work is heavily illustrated with color photos, most of which may be found in the previous edition. The larger maps are printed in such a manner that they do not disappear into the binding.