Charting the World: Geography and Maps from Cave Paintings to GPS with 21 Activities (For Kids Series) by Richard Panchyk Ages 9+ 144 pages Chicago Review Press August 2011 Paperback     Not only does this beautifully illustrated book offer an entertaining history of maps and mapmaking. It also contains 21 activities that enable children to apply the information they have learned. The activities range from navigating a course with a compass and creating a zone map of the neighborhood to determining the elevation of a hill and engraving a simple map on an aluminum “printing plate.” The author also discusses the basic role of maps in geography and exploration and the importance of maps in the study of timely issues such as climate change, environmental conservation, warfare and population growth. There’s lots of useful and interesting information here that both children and adults will find not only fascinating but also useful. Charting the World is a book that both teachers and parents homeschooling their young will want to consider purchasing.     web reviews   Bob Walch/2011 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)