National Geographic Kids: Beginner's United States Atlas and United States Atlas
Source: Media Masters Publicity Paperbacks, 128 pgs and 176 pgs. I am an Amazon Affiliate
National Geographic Kids has a new 2020 edition of both the Beginner's United States Atlas (3rd edition) and the United States Atlas (6th edition). The Beginner's atlas includes the basics about what a map is, the land, the people, and the national capital, as well as individual maps and facts about each states. The atlas divides the country into 5 regions designated by different colors, and the back of the book contains a glossary, postal codes, and metric conversion chart. We love the full color topographical maps in this volume and the large text that makes the information easy to read.
My daughter and I will spend a great deal of time learning about maps and what features on the map signify, as well as the importance of the scale and compass. The full color photos in the atlas are gorgeous and vivid. They include natural features and animals, historical elements, and the state birds and flowers, among other things. The beginner's atlas is a great place to start with elementary school students to help them learn about the different states in our country. We've already checked out our home state of Maryland.
The United States Atlas is a smaller paperback atlas that also includes full color photos and is chock full of information. This atlas includes information about the physical aspects of our country, including its climate and natural hazards, and information about our population, energy, the national capital, and people on the move. Again the atlas is broken up into 6 regions (one of which includes the U.S. Territories) that are color coded. There are facts and figures, postal abbreviations, map abbreviations, place names in an index, and more. This one has more in-depth information than the beginner's atlas.
We love that both of these provide text and facts, but that they also provide photos that bring each state to life. National Geographic Kids's new 2020 edition of both the Beginner's United States Atlas and the United States Atlas will be a great addition to homeschooling and virtual schooling this year. With the topsy-turvy COVID-19 pandemic still underway, this will give us a needed break from Zoom classes and allow her to explore the country -- at least in a book.
RATING: Cinquain