The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World

by Dean Robbins, Matt Tavares (illustrator)

How did the first people explore the land they lived on? How did civilizations expand their boundaries and chart courses into new lands? Learn about the history of cartography across cultures in this ode to mapmaking through the ages.Join history's first mapmakers as they explore the wonders of the world! In these pages, you’ll find the tools ancient people used to depict their surroundings, methods different cartographers developed to survey new lands, and how we’ve arrived at modern mapmaking today. Above all else, the thread that runs throughout thousands of years of civilization is the spirit of exploration that helps us measure the shape of things around us, the world we all share.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Geography, Travel, History, Maps

40 pages, Hardcover

First published August 20, 2024

About the author

Dean Robbins writes nonfiction children’s picture books about his heroes. His award-winning books have been featured on Public Radio International and praised in The New York Times, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and other publications, along with receiving starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal. They’ve been chosen for best-of-the-year honors by the American Library Association, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and Children’s Book Council, among others, and "Two Friends: Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass" was adapted as a short film by Weston Wood Studios. As a journalist, Robbins has served as the editor of Isthmus and contributed to USA Today, The New York Daily News, Space.com, Wisconsin Public Radio, and other media outlets. He draws on his journalism experience to interview the subjects of his children’s books, including Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean and NASA’s pioneering computer scientist Margaret Hamilton.

Reviews

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The informational, yet lyrical text, by Dean Robbins mixed with Matt Tavares’s beautiful art brings this massive idea to a level that any reader can connect with, understand, and will find interest in. And man, is it a fascinating history, and it is wonderful how The Shape of Things does an introduction to the full history of cartography in a way that doesn’t seem overwhelming but is so informative. I also appreciate the sharing of different strategies of different cultures when mapmaking.

Full review with teaching tools: https://www.unleashingreaders.com/28197

[Elizabeth Connolley]

"The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World" provides an overview of how maps developed to help us know where things are and how to get there. From maps and inventions created by cavemen, Native Americans, Egyptians, and Babylonians to the development of the modern technology we use today, maps and our understanding of the world we live in have evolved and greatly improved throughout history.

I enjoyed reading this book; I love how the illustrations provide an even greater understanding of the topics introduced by the text. "The Shape of Things" is both informative and an engaging read that takes you along a story of history and science.

"The Shape of Things" could be used in a classroom to introduce many social science and science topics. For example, change over time, geometry, maps, timelines, explorations, and scientific figures could all easily be tied into this book.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jumping to the author and illustrator notes on back pages, I learned that Robbins was intrigued by the history of maps.Travares admits he had given very little thought to maps until getting this assignment. In the righteous tradition of picture book production, both have done loads of research and become fans of the subject matter as it worked its way toward becoming a bound object. I commend them both for their results, collaboratively launching countless young map-lovers into the world.The scope of this fact-packed but minimal text opens with endpapers revealing (we later learn) one of the most ancient relics of an Egyptian map on papyrus. The closing end pages show a map on a digital screen display on the dashboard of an automobile.

Between those covers are luminous images and lyrical accounts of the history, processes, tools, impacts, and remaining evidence of maps from the earliest examples carved into massive rocks or ivory artifacts, through stick-charts depicting ocean currents, right through to satellite images of our actual planet earth. One of my earliest learning memories from that GEOGRAPHY book and map transcription is the fact that boundaries are arbitrary and the glorious country and river colors were simply visual aids, not indicators of any other sigificance, not reflecting the physical world they portray in any way other than SHAPE..

This "Big Blue Marble" on which we reside and survive only vaguely resembles those earlier attempts, but time, technology, tools, and tenacity produced efforts explained in main text and noted on that timeline on closing pages. It's impressive evidence that I'm not the only one who is curious about, intrigued by, the shape of things on this planet we occupy. I hope you'll feel the same.

[Jacob Glemaker]

I find this book to be a LITTLE problematic when it comes to the early history of map making. The author sort of skips over the idea that the Greeks did FOR SURE know the earth was round by the 3rd century after Eratosthenes came up with an approximate -- and nearly correct -- size of the earth in Alexandria. Kudos to you for saying at least one person THOUGHT the earth was round -- but it's a little misleading. The Polynesians also used similar math and observations to be able to astronavigate -- but this book really only talks about they shell maps they made. I understand this is a creative nonfiction book for children that isn't focused necessarily on the intricacies of proving the earth is round.... but it certainly reinforces the euro-centric idea that Christopher Columbus and other colonial era explorers were somehow the first to discover or confirm the fact that the earth was round. The math proving the earth was round had been common knowledge throughout the middle ages and lead to many arguments over the Gregorian calendar inconsistencies. If anything -- they didn't know the earth was titled on its axis. It just seems problematic to not give full credit to the people who created the intellectual developments possible for the later Europeans to make these journeys in the first place. Overall this book is wonderful, and obviously most people aren't going to scrutinize it the same way I am now. I was just reading through it and it made me angry so I came here to get on my soap box. I mean no offense to the author, illustrator, or anyone involved in its creation. I'm sure there were editorial choices to keep the narrative simple for children, which I can respect.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeous, informative book explains in as clear a way as I've ever seen, what a map is, why they are important, and how the way they are made has changed over millennia. Highlighting a few of the many maps created throughout earth's human history, Robbins shares with young readers how people have created maps using a variety of different materials such as mammoth tusk, rock, sand, papyrus, paper, and computer. The back matter references the preserved maps described in the text on a timeline for when they were created. The tools used in surveying and creating maps over the years are also highlighted in both the text and art. Tavares' digital illustrations are stunning in their beauty as they complement Robbins' straight-forward text. The research that must have gone into each illustration regarding clothing, setting, tools, and setting makes each picture a work of art in and of itself. A fabulous book about the value of knowing where you are and the power of maps and mapmaking. Highly recommended.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a good cover, and the cover of The Shape of Things is great. You can’t see it without wanting to know more, and it sets the stage for a fantastic history of mapmaking.

Author Dean Robbins starts at the beginning, when early humans used cave art and tusks to map the way. Robbins takes readers to the Americas, Egypt, Babylonia, Greece, China and Polynesia. He highlights what mapmakers got right — and what they sometimes got wrong. And Robbins does this in relatively few words. Words that are wonderfully paced and nice to read aloud.

Artist Matt Tavares’ digital illustrations perfectly compliment the text, transporting readers to different points in time and place. His images set scope and make you excited for what is to come.

Excellent backmatter includes a timeline; author’s note; illustrator’s note; information on mapmaking tricks and tools; a list of what mapmakers love; and a bibliography.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

We just got this neat book in from Junior Library Guild, and it's on a subject that interests me, so I took a few minutes and read it before it went on the shelf.

The illustrations are very nice.

The glossary and explanations in the back of the book are good.

The text is pretty simple, but does a decent enough job of explaining the basic early history of maps. I appreciate that they looked at worldwide examples of maps in ancient times.

I grumble at the huge gap between 200 BCE and 1492. Totally leaves out Ptolemy's amazing world map from 150 CE (AD), that was really quite accurate for its time, especially of the Mediterranean. The Chinese also made significant map-making progress in that 1200-year gap, well beyond the wooden map highlighted in this book.

I think a couple more pages could have helped bridge the gap, while keeping the book to a length that could hold an early elementary child's attention.

[Read Ribbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This informational picture book by Dean Robbins celebrates the historical attempts to capture our world through maps. The book reminds that people have always been curious about the world and tried to record what they could see or imagine in various models and drawings. The book shows theories historical theories about the shape of the earth and how we learned the earth was round. New vocabulary is introduced and explained as special tools of cartography are presented, Matt Tavares' illustrations support the text providing the readers with more insights. The book ends with a timeline of the evolution of mapmaking. There is also an author's note and illustrator's note, further explanation of mapmaking tricks and tools, what mapmakers love and a bibliography of additional resources.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Today many of us take getting from here to there, no matter the distance, for granted. After all, we have various road signs and maps to get us to our destinations in efficient ways. But it wasn't always so. With handsome digital artwork, this informational picture book takes readers back in time to the earliest cartographers and attempts at mapping the world, then moving forward to showcase various advances. The text is clear, concise, but interesting, and there is even a timeline ranging from 25,000 BCE when the world's oldest map was engraved on the tusk of a mammoth to present day maps made by orbiting satellites. It's hard to read this book and not feel amazed and impressed, and for those of us like me who tend to be directionally challenged, grateful.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Robbins and Matt Tavares takes readers through time, from the beginning of mapmakers with cave people and ancient civilizations, to our current surveyors and digital maps. Readers will be introduced to mapmaking tricks and tools, further emphasized with back matter; and how people creatively combined art and science to design the maps we know today. Even the end pages symbolize the how far maps have come with an Egyptian map on papyrus from 1200 BCE to the digital maps we’re familiar with in our vehicles. This book is an ode to the human spirit’s desire to know more and explore, the ingenuity behind some of the basic things we take for granted today. Wonderfully written in lyrical text with beautiful illustrations, this book would be a great kick-off for many inspiring cartographers.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to YABC, Dean Robbins and Matt Tavares for the well-written and beautifully illustrated book of The Shape of Things: How Mapmakers Picture Our World.
I loved the size of this book since it will make it easier for young readers to hold a larger hard covered book. The writing is easy to understand. The drawings are colorful and educational.
I loved learning a few things about mapmaking myself - especially the ancient idea that the earth is a flat disk surrounded by monsters at the edges.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Dean Robbins has added another stellar nonfiction picture book to his collection of amazing book titles! Kids of all ages will learn history, vocabulary, science, math and so much more when they're introduced to the history of the world through maps!!! Illustrator Matt Tavares draws large detailed pictures that beautifully complement the text.
Recommended for homeschoolers, kids in 1st-3rd grade, reluctant readers and classroom libraries. As always, Robbins includes a timeline and supplemental notes to satisfy budding cartographers!

[Kiera Beddes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever thought about the first maps to ever exist? This book delves into the evolution of maps, illustrating their impact on navigation, exploration, and societies throughout time.

Surprisingly engaging, but then again, I was the kid who poured over the maps in the classroom atlas. It was fascinating to trace the science of cartography, from the earliest humans through to modern day. The art wasn’t my favorite, but I don’t think it will be distracting to your budding geographers.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been a big fan of paper maps - was feeling bereft on my last trip when I didn’t have a paper road map to look ahead beyond what the gps was displaying. A brief overview of maps thru history - liked the repeating text on the first page and how it contrasted to the last page. Interesting back matter.

[Meredith · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love maps, but I feel like this did not give enough detail. Mother drawing dots on a cave wall? Trees, a temple, and a well? A Gunter's chain? A theodolite? Having a hard time finding Mock Sibert titles that give enough info without being overwhelming, but able to completely explain a topic.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book with limited text so it will make a great read aloud. The illustrations are illuminating and well-done, though not as outstanding as some of Tavares’ other works. I will definitely purchase for my library.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nonfiction about how maps and mapmaking changed over the course of history.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic!!

[Ellen L. Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing book with detailed information about the history of mapmaking, including a timeline at the back of the book.

[Brooke - TheBrookeList · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read as a nomination in the nonfiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).