Geography book comparisons?

[3peasinapod]

Can anyone tell me about these 2 geography books? I am interested in both, but can't really make a decision. I might also be interested in VM Hillyer's A Child's Geography of the World, but can't seem to find a nice copy. :bigear:

 

 

A Child's Geography: Explore His Earth

 

Visualize World Geography in 7 Minutes a Day

[3peasinapod]

:lurk5:

[Lori D.]

All 3 of books you list are very different from one another, each with a different focus/purpose, so you *could* use all 3 if you wanted.

 

Geographical Locations/Maps

I got Visualize World Geography, but we ended up not using it, as DSs connected with the free online geography games at Sheppard Software, and that was my goal for Visualize World Geography -- memorize countries, capitals, and locations. This book and CD are intended for that -- memorization through songs (the CD) and visualization of the country shapes by funny pictures.

 

 

Earth Science

From the online sample of A Child's Geography, it looks like it has an Earth Science focus from the topics listed in the table of contents:

 

Atmosphere

Continents

Oceans

Seasons/Climate/Weather

Structure of Earth

Plate Tectonics

Earthquakes and Volcanoes

Latitude

Longitude

 

You can also read Cathy Duffy's review for more insight into the book.

 

 

History/Geography

The Hillyer book, from what I have read about it, mixes history and geography and discoveries/explorers. It sounds like it is rather old-fashioned and some of the history is out of date. From another review, I understand that the author of A Child's Geography was influenced by Hillyer, especially in the informal conversational tone, to write a sort of "modern, updated" type of Hillyer. It sounds like there would be overlap between the Hillyer and A Child's Geography, and that children may connect better with the modern setting and examples of A Child's Geography rather than the old-fashioned Hillyer.

 

 

BEST of luck, whatever you go with! Warmest regards, Lori D.

[Mrs Twain]

We have used Hillyer's A Child's Geography of the World and some of A Child's Geography. The second book is indeed comprised of a lot of earth science. I liked it for that aspect, but dh (who has been teaching geography for our kids this year) thought it was rather dry. He has since given up on it, and instead has been using The Complete Book of Maps and Geography (which he and I think is fantastic).

 

I also love Hillyer's book. I read most of it one year with one of my kids, testing and reviewing the geography with him with two large laminated maps of the world and the USA. At some point I am going to read it again with my kids. The main issue with his book is that it was written in the 1950's and therefore needs a fair amount of editing. I still think the book is a gem and one of my favorite geography resources. I especially enjoyed learning some of the history about how various places got their names. After reading it, dh and I felt that we would be very smart if we could remember everything that is in that book.

[3peasinapod]

This has helped so much! What I really want is for them to learn many of the countries and locations, so I think the Visualize Geography book is the best in our case for this year. I am going to check out the link for the free program too. That would be even better. :001_smile:

Edited February 9, 2012 by 3peasinapod

[Lori D.]

Ah, that helps to know specifically what you are looking for. :) I second the above poster's enthusiasm for The Complete Book of Geography & Maps, although it is geared for grades 3-6, we used some of it slowly, gently when DSs were grades 1-2, and then more when they were a little older.

Some more helpful resources:
- keep a globe, a picture atlas, and maps handy and refer to them often; we liked the placemats with world or U.S. maps on them -- great at meals, but smaller size made them handy to pull out during school hours
- a puzzle of the U.S., with each piece shaped like a state
- world map puzzle
- map sticker books (world, continent/cultures, U.S.)
- The Kids' Fun-Filled Search & Find Geography Book (by Anthony Tallarico)
- Where in the World game


Online Sites
- Owl & Mouse: geography resources = http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm
- National Geographic for Kids = http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/?source=NavKidsHome
- Web Geography for Kids = http://www.unc.edu/~jmaxim/web_geography_for_kids.htm
- Kids Geo = http://www.kidsgeo.com/geography-games/
- Learning Games for Kids = http://www.learninggamesforkids.com/geography_games.html
- Kaboose: Geography games = http://funschool.kaboose.com/arcade/history-geography/index.html
- Funbrain = http://www.funbrain.com/where/
- Primary Games = http://primarygames.com/social_studies.htm
- Free Geography Worksheets = http://www.tlsbooks.com/geographyworksheets.htm
- Enchanted Learning = http://www.enchantedlearning.com/geography/

Edited November 5, 2014 by Lori D.

[morosophe]

Along the same lines as Visualize World Geography, have you considered Audio Memory's Geography Songs? (I assume it's along the same lines; I've never heard of VWG, let alone seen it.) You can buy the CD kit or just the mp3 tracks through Amazon; the kit contains a book with a map for each song, but it's not like you can't use other good maps for that, along with a description of famous places complete with clipart. (Honestly, Wikipedia would probably serve you better there.) The songs are useful with or without the book, in any case.