Books in Children of the world series

100 world maps drawn, painted, crayoned, sewn, and knitted by children over the past decade are featured in this retrospective survey of the work of young cartographers and symbologists. Many of the images are arresting and offer a wide variety of perspective; younger children's maps are often accompanied by comforting images of childhood, such as teddy bears or birthday cakes, while older children tend to show images of poverty, disease, and warfare. Despite this scattering of painful images, the maps express the worldwide hopes of children for opportunity, economic development, friendship, and international understanding, and they have helped raise the standard for maps and atlases produced for children and young people. This is the first time the International Cartographic Association has ever allowed publication of these striking pieces of artwork.

Perceived for too long as predatory killers, crocodilians face their gravest danger--extinction--with little human help and sympathy. As this volume proves, alligators and crocodiles can be extremely fascinating. Examine this creature's anatomy to see why it makes such a fine hunter: its almost fully submerged body remains nearly invisible, its slit eyes help it see in the dark and judge distance precisely, and its tough skin protects it against the salt water. Many societies viewed crocodiles with awe because of their power and size, and even made them a part of their folklore and religion. Information on origins, evolution and distribution, courtship, reproduction, and many individual species paint a thorough portrait. Maps of their habitats, disappearing swiftly because of environmental damage, trace their presence worldwide, and excellent color photos bring these sometimes scary reptiles up close and personal. Blandford 192 pages, 40 color illus., 80 b/w illus., 6 x 9.