Review by Booklist Review
This iteration of the Maps for Curious Minds series focuses on the natural world, from flora to fauna, from geography to vulcanology. Facts gleaned from the maps range from the trivial and surprising (Earth's 2020 human population could fit into the bottom of the heel of Italy's boot; there are more pigs than humans in Denmark; China grows the most garlic) to the serious (acres burned in the U.S., species vanished in the twenty-first century, which country has the most climate deniers). One map traces the extinction of ancient animals and the arrival of humans; another maps the longest straight line one could walk, from Liberia to the east coast of China. Illustrated by Manuel Bortoletti, the book is bright and clear, with charming drawings of animals complementing some of the relevant maps. There is a chapter on space. Fans of browsable reference and esoteric knowledge will enjoy this curious atlas.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Library Journal Review
Equal parts maps and infographics, this latest in the "Maps for Curious Minds" series visualizes data about the natural world, mapping things like earthquake zones, households with cats, different types of rainfall, and avocado consumption. Writer and editor Higgins rounded up 100 sets of statistics from a wide variety of sources, and graphic designer Bortoletti mapped each with clarity and a visual pop. Some maps are sobering (who is most at risk from rising seas?); others are lighthearted (countries with flags featuring dragons). VERDICT An informative addition, especially where Brilliant Maps for Curious Minds and North American Maps for Curious Minds circulate well.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up--Trivia junkies and statistics lovers will enjoy this atlas that provides unusual but information about the world. Many of the maps serve to illustrate context, e.g., all the people who ever lived can fit into the toe of Italy's boot. Other interesting tidbits include where giant pandas are found, which nations are landlocked, where the world's cat owners live, and which countries are at greatest risk for rising seas. Color coding, representing numbers, is used to delineate nations in each map, but names are not provided. A list of the sources the author used is included. Many readers will find the maps extremely engrossing, especially if they recognize the countries by shape and location; some may need another basic atlas to aid with country names. Much information in this volume, especially on climate change, will be useful for reports. VERDICT Curious minds will find themselves informed and entertained by this book. Selectors in middle and high school libraries should consider.--Margaret Nunes
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
