8 replies to this topic

[josie]

Hi Everyone,

So this is a bit of an off topic. It is my god daughters birthday soon and I wanted to do something a bit creative for her. So, as I spend a great deal of time making maps I thought maybe it would be nice to make her a wall atlas. It is just a thought but what kind of information would appeal to a child. She is 6 years old. Thus, I realise this is fairly random and not 'work' related but does anyone have any ingenius ideas as to making a map for a child? I was thinking of going for a marine theme as she lives in Australia (so based around the oceans and ocean life) but I am not sure.

Any ideas

Josie

[Hans van der Maarel]

So this is a bit of an off topic. It is my god daughters birthday soon and I wanted to do something a bit creative for her. So, as I spend a great deal of time making maps I thought maybe it would be nice to make her a wall atlas. It is just a thought but what kind of information would appeal to a child. She is 6 years old. Thus, I realise this is fairly random and not 'work' related but does anyone have any ingenius ideas as to making a map for a child? I was thinking of going for a marine theme as she lives in Australia (so based around the oceans and ocean life) but I am not sure.

Something cartoony is the first thing that comes to mind. About 2 years ago I was trying to land a project that was pretty much the same as what you're describing: a world map for children. So I tried to team up with a comic/cartoonist friend to get this project, she would have been the artistic side of the endeavour, designing a load of unique topical cartoons. E.g. the Eiffel Tower in France, a kangaroo in Australia, an Eskimo on Greenland and so on. Sadly the project never materialised, and these 3 sketches were the only ones done
 maptrio_examples_sheanamolloy2.jpg   189.76K   69 downloads

[rudy]

I find creating maps fro children to be one of the most difficult things to do. A while back I had engaged my then 9 year old son and his classmates and asked them their opinions of various children's atlases. Although they were older than your target audience, their comments and thoughts were enlightening. For them, they didn't want anything too complex or too simple. Cartoony maps were out but they had to be able to relate and understand the map. I'll see if I can dig up the presentation I did on it.

[josie]

Hey Hans!

Oh, what a shame you did not continue. Those cartoons look really great! What a great idea! I was also thinking of animals, like a zebra for Africa, but infact you are right about points of interest like the Eifel Tower, they are also good to include. I am also contemplating which colour palette to use. I guess colourful and simple is better. I am not used to making maps for pleasure! This will be interesting!

The more and more I contemplate it, the more it seems like a fun idea

[josie]

Thanks Rudy that will be great!

[David Medeiros]

For some inspiration you could check out a children's atlas Ikea carries, "The Great Picture Atlas for Children". Originally produced in Italy I think. It pretty good as far as kids maps go, unfortunately I can't find any info about it online.

[Dennis McClendon]

You may be interested in this previous discussion centered around some maps I made for "board books" for toddlers.

[natcase]

Hi Everyone,

So this is a bit of an off topic. It is my god daughters birthday soon and I wanted to do something a bit creative for her. So, as I spend a great deal of time making maps I thought maybe it would be nice to make her a wall atlas. It is just a thought but what kind of information would appeal to a child. She is 6 years old. Thus, I realise this is fairly random and not 'work' related but does anyone have any ingenius ideas as to making a map for a child? I was thinking of going for a marine theme as she lives in Australia (so based around the oceans and ocean life) but I am not sure.

Any ideas

Josie

It makes such a difference what age and sensibility they are. Kids her age haven't gotten as much of an idea what a "proper" anything is, let alone an atlas. In another few years, she'll have formed an opinion what a "good" map is, based on what she uses in school. So for now, go crazy! Don't be bound by what published children's atlases look like... they have to answer to editorial boards and councils of geographic literacy and what not. Think Dr Seuss or Pippi Longstocking: kids in this age range largely love the zany and the boundary-pushing.

But do it soon: your window of opportunity is closing fast!

[rudy]

I find creating maps fro children to be one of the most difficult things to do. A while back I had engaged my then 9 year old son and his classmates and asked them their opinions of various children's atlases. Although they were older than your target audience, their comments and thoughts were enlightening. For them, they didn't want anything too complex or too simple. Cartoony maps were out but they had to be able to relate and understand the map. I'll see if I can dig up the presentation I did on it.

Rats!!! I've looked and looked and can find my original notes and the survey forms completed by the children but I can't find the presentation! So sorry.