Exploring and mapping the American West

Children's Literature

Author Judy Alter has done a nice job writing about the exploration of the American West and the history of early mapping. Alter explains to the reader the different types of maps the early Indian tribes used such as map rocks and picture writing on tree barks and animal hides. There are also maps drawn by the Spanish explorers who were the first Europeans to explore and map the American West. These Spanish explorers are credited with supplying most of the information for the maps of the west in the 1700s. Captain Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were also explorers who were looking for a route to the Pacific Ocean. Clark drew a rough map of this journey describing what he saw along the way. This information became the basis for the first official map of the American West. Later map-making techniques and their tools are also mentioned as well as the roles the U.S. Army and the U.S. Geological Survey had in the development of map-making. Included is a nice selection of maps from different time periods. One of the most interesting is an early map showing which countries owned land in North American. A glossary and timeline are also included. Part of the "Cornerstones of Freedom" series. 2001, Children's Press, $20.50 and $8.50. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Della A. Yannuzzi<%ISBN%>051621599X