Geography around the world
Learning about geography isn’t just memorising maps and flags; it also encompasses the study of people and their relationship to the places they live. In this booklist, we have collated a selection of contemporary books which share the brilliant diversity of our planet. Some explore physical features of the world like volcanoes, mountains and water systems, while others look at the human side of geography: exploring the cultural histories, similarities and differences which make up our global society.
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Our World: A First Book of Geography
Author: Sue Lowell Gallion Illustrator: Lisk Feng
Publisher: Phaidon
Interest age: 4-8
A beautiful, nostalgic-feeling book that will delight younger primary school readers and help introduce them to the idea of geography and differing environments for the first time.
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The Street Beneath My Feet
Author: Charlotte Guillian and Yuval Zommer
Publisher: Words & Pictures Press
Interest age: 6-9
Reading age: 6-10Young readers will enjoy taking an underground journey through the layers of the earth in this attractively illustrated, artistic piece of narrative non-fiction.
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Prisoners of Geography: Our World Explained in 12 Simple Maps
Author: Tim Marshall Illustrator: Grace Easton & Jessica Smith
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Geopolitics – the study of how physical landscapes affect international relations – may not seem an obvious subject for a children’s book, but this new children’s version of an adult Sunday Times bestseller is a fascinating read. Pitched perfectly for eight to eleven-year-olds, this book will make younger readers look at maps in a whole new way.
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Africana
Author: Kim Chakanetsa Illustrator: Alabi Mayowa
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+A fascinating treasure trove of information about the 54 countries in Africa, and their landscapes, animals and people. With stunning illustrations and bite-size facts, this is the perfect gift book for all non-fiction fans.
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Amazing Asia
Author: Rashmi Sirdeshpande Illustrator: Jason Lyon
Publisher: Wide Eyed
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8-9This beautifully designed book celebrates the diversity of Asia, with in-depth information about the world’s largest and most populated continent.
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Bedtime Stories: Amazing Asian Tales from the Past
Author: Hannah Jiang Saima Mir Shae Davies Maisie Chan Cynthia So Annabelle Sami Bali Rai Sufiya Ahmed Rebeka Shaid and Rekha Waheed Illustrator: Aaliya Jaleel Abeeha Tariq Amanda Yoshida Debby Rahmalia Ginnie Hsu Hannah Li Jen Khatun Jocelyn Kao Kübra Teber and Tika and Tata
Publisher: Scholastic
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+This attractive giftbook features sixteen biographical tales from across Asia and throughout history, with contributions from a range of authors and illustrators, all of Asian heritage.
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Bang: The Wild Wonders of Earth’s Phenomena
Author: Jennifer N. R. Smith
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Interest age: 9-11
The focus of this large hardback book is remarkable natural phenomena such as rainbows, volcanoes, earthquakes, caves and crystals, hot springs and geysers: the truly amazing things that happen on earth.
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The Wonderful World of Water: From Dams to Deserts
Author: Sarah Garré and Marijke Huysmans Illustrator: Wendy Panders
Publisher: Prestel
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Humans would not survive on Earth without water. But what is it exactly, and how do planet Earth’s weather and environments cycle water around so that we always have it? How does urine get cleaned up and put back into rivers and oceans? How do plants take water out of the ground, how do dams work, and what is the future of water in the world?
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Rivers An Incredible Journey from Source to Sea
Author: Simon Chapman Illustrator: Qu Lan
Publisher: Templar
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+Rivers have always been important to humans, and in fact many cities and towns were built on rivers. Rivers allow people to travel on them, to trade and transport goods, and rivers also keep the land fertile.
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How to Survive Anywhere
Author: Ben Lerwill Illustrator: Daniel Long
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+An incredibly practical guide to 12 different terrains, with guidance on their particular challenges and top tips for survival should you be stranded there. Fascinating, brilliantly illustrated and very useful.
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Around the World in 80 Festivals
Author: Nancy Dickmann Illustrator: Lucy Banaji
Publisher: Welbeck Editions
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 9+People around the world celebrate thousands of different holidays and festivals. Many may form part of a religion, but others remember loved ones who have died, or historical people and events. Many have been celebrated in the same way for hundreds or even thousands of years.
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Atlas of Amazing Architecture
Author: Peter Allen
Publisher: Cicada Books
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Innovative architecture from around the world and through the ages is explored in this colourful and absorbing picture book. Ideal for any budding young architect but also anyone with an interest in how people across the globe live.
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The Culture of Clothes: A Celebration of World Dress
Author: Giovanna Alessio Illustrator: Chaaya Prabhat
Publisher: Templar Books
Interest age: 7-10
Reading age: 8+Perfect for young fashion enthusiasts as well as children interested in world cultures, this is a fascinating read with lots of inspiration for art and crafts, as well as school projects.
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Amazing Islands: 100+ Places That Will Boggle Your Mind
Author: Sabrina Weiss and Kerry Hyndman
Publisher: What On Earth Books
Interest age: 9-11
Reading age: 8+Spanning prison islands, river islands, barrier islands, mystery islands, island cultures and many, many other fascinating topics, Weiss and Hyndman’s colourful, stylish book is full to the brim with fascinating facts.
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India, Incredible India
Author: Jasbinder Bilan Illustrator: Nina Chakrabarti
Publisher: Walker Books
Interest age: 7-11
Reading age: 8+A vibrantly colourful celebration of India, its people, history and wildlife. A beautiful and fascinating book to dip into and pore over.
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Big City Atlas
Author: Maggie Li
Publisher: Pavilion
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 7+Take a whistle-stop tour around 28 of the world’s most amazing cities; soak up the culture, traditions, prominent landmarks and local food experiences with a cheery penguin guide in a bright and engrossing pictorial feast.
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A Taste of the World: What People Eat and How They Celebrate Around the Globe
Author: Beth Walrond
Publisher: Little Gestalten
Interest age: 6-11
Reading age: 6+From everyday meals to celebratory feasts, this fascinating non-fiction picture book looks at the diverse range of food eaten by people from around the world.
