Flags of the World

Depicts flags of all the countries in the world. Includes locator maps, fact boxes, descriptions, and a summary of flag sources, colors, and iconography.

Grade 4-8AThis set contains full-page, full-color flags of 191 countries, the U.S. states and territories, and Canadian provinces. Opposite each flag is a brief description of its colors, symbols, and history; an outline map of the country and an arrow pointing to it on a globe; some information about the country (history, location, people, etc.); and a fact box with data on area, population, resources, currency, language, religion, etc. Entries are arranged alphabetically, with each volume having a set index. The first volume contains an introduction to flags, including their parts, shapes, patterns, common symbols, heraldic influences, and evolution. This set does a wonderful job of providing information on flags for country and state reports, as well as easy-to-copy images. However, its attempt to provide other background material misses the mark. Vocabulary and concepts are beyond elementary school readers. Terms such as "infrastructure," "Gross National Product," and "Gross Domestic Product" are not typically used with children at that level. Neither is vocabulary such as "ensuing," "advent," and "enclave." Also, this information can be found in encyclopedias and almanacs. The maps are also confusing; they have no country markings and often do not show an entire continent. This set's advantage over Carol Shaw's Flags (Running Press, 1994), William Crampton's World of Flags (Rand McNally, 1994), and Ultimate Pocket Flags of the World (DK, 1997) is the size of the illustrations. If none of these titles meet your needs, consider this resource.APeg Glisson, Dewitt Road School, Webster, NY
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This multivolume encyclopedia of flags is suitable for upper-elementary through high-school audiences. Very similar in format and appearance to Grolier's recent Maps of the World [RBB O 1 97], it "includes the flag of every independent nation, as well as the flags of the U.S. states and territories and those of Canadian provinces and territories." The flags are current, not historical.

Arrangement is attractive and accessible. An introduction in volume 1 gives background on flag shapes, history, customs, and symbols, as well as heraldic influences, and flags of organizations such as NATO and the United Nations. The set is organized alphabetically by place name. In addition to a clear table of contents listing the flags specific to each volume, each 64-page volume contains a "Where Are the Flags?" section, which gives the contents of the entire set, with the entries for the volume in hand in bold type. Each volume also contains a set index listing entries by volume number and page numbers.

Entries for individual flags are exemplary. A double-page spread is devoted to each country, state, province, or territory's flag. On the first page there is a large, detailed illustration of the flag, which could be traced and colored, should students doing reports need to do so. The facing page provides information about the country, including a fact box with national data, a paragraph of background information, an inset map showing the location of the country on its continent, and a bit of history about the flag itself.

Libraries have needed an up-to-date resource on flags. The multivolume approach makes this a better purchase for educational environments than, for example, Flags (Flag Research Center, 1992), which is one oversized volume showing national but not state flags. Flags of the World is an impressive, comprehensive, and useful compilation, bound to receive heavy use in school and public library environments.