Around the World in 80 Pages/an Adventurous Picture Atlas of the World

Readers can travel around the world with companions Philip S. Flogg and Passport as they experience the diverse traditions, food, people, and cultures of the world

Grade 3-5-In a take-off on Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days, Phillip S. Flogg and his trusty hound, Passport, depart from London in their hot-air balloon and traverse Europe, Northern Asia, the Pacific Islands, and other regions of the world before heading back to the U.K. There are introductory double-paged spreads devoted to each continent or area, which includes the flags of its countries, as well as a map. They provide lots to look at and learn from; however, the spread for Europe is just too cluttered. Readers are given a fleeting glimpse of the region's geography, culture, and/or history through Flogg's lighthearted diary entries and drawings. This oversized volume is fun for browsing, but will not be of use for reports. The smattering of information presented is a la Carmen SanDiego, not necessarily always covering the same things for each area. Mason avoids any political statements or opinions about the history or governments of the countries visited. While the book is billed as "an adventurous picture atlas," the maps are definitely secondary to the narrative. Also, many of them are lost in the gutter. In spite of its flaws, this is a cleverly done romp, full of interesting facts, and could be useful in giving youngsters an overview of parts of the world.
Peg Glisson, Dewitt Road School, Webster, NY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.