Barefoot Books World Atlas

Embark on a mind-expanding journey across the planet. Your guide is earth enthusiast and TV presenter Nick Crane. Your map-maker is artist David Dean. Divided by geographical region, the Barefoot Books World Atlas looks at the way in which communities and cultures across the world have been shaped by their natural environment, and at the ideas and initiatives which are shaping the future. An atlas for the twenty-first century, it shows how all parts of the planet are interconnected and looks at the challenges which face us all in creating a sustainable future.

The Barefoot Books World Atlas has been my hottest seller since before the holidays - at an event just last weekend I sold every copy I had with me!  I wasn't going to get one for our own bookshelf just yet, because I thought my not-quite-five-year-old would be too young for it, but then I got a copy for free from Barefoot for winning a sales challenge at the end of the year.

I was so, so wrong about how much my daughter could get out of this book!

The World Atlas is full of gorgeous artwork - what else would you expect from a Barefoot book, right?  When we first got our copy, we just sat on the couch and devoured the pictures.  Now my daughter will sit by herself and leaf through the book, examining each page in detail, and asking me questions about anything that catches her eye.

There is plenty of information in print as well, and they managed to pack even more into the book by making several pages that fold out and lots of flaps that open to reveal facts about some of the icons on each page.  

The Atlas starts with "The Story of Our Planet" - from the solar system to the first signs of life, and on to the human species.  Then there is the story of map-making and information about the atlas itself, followed by a map of the entire world.  The main part of the Atlas is divided into sections, starting with the oceans of the world and then moving on to each continent.  There is also a large map poster in a pocket at the back of the book, which would make a fantastic resource for a classroom.

What I love about The Barefoot Books World Atlas is what I love about most books from Barefoot - the illustrations are engaging enough to hold the interest of a younger child, but there is enough information packed into the book to make it useful for an older child or even an adult.  If you are interested in raising a child who is interested and informed about the world around her, this is the book for your family!

Now, hold on to your socks and be prepared for them to be blown clean off!

Nick Crane explores the Barefoot World Atlas app for the iPad - click through to see the video.





Children react to the Barefoot World Atlas app for the iPad - click through to see the video.

These videos make me want to go out and get an iPad just so I can get this app!

You can purchase the app from iTunes by going through the World Atlas page on the Barefoot Books website - if you buy either the book or the app - or both - please do let me know what you think!