Each double-page spread introduces a different skill or map type that Sally and her friends can use to find Max and Ollie, her missing pets. Boldface instructions explain each map. Readers will enjoy looking for the kids and pets in the cartoon illustrations, but may struggle to learn how to read a map from this book. Ind.

Kids like maps. They like to look at them and they really like to create maps of their own. In this introduction to reading and using maps, Sally has lost her dog and cat, and Ritchie uses maps to trace Sally and her friends' trail as they search for Max and Ollie. Starting in the neighborhood and moving out, these good-natured buddies travel far and wide. Each page shows a different type of map (road, weather, topographical, even a treasure map, among others) with both narration and map facts in white space to the left of each map. While most maps have a compass rose and scale box, not all do, and that limits the book's usefulness as a teaching device. Though the kids are looking for their pets, who presumably can't get all that far, the logic of the story falls apart when the author places them on a weather map, a globe or even in outer space. Children will enjoy finding the hidden animals on each page, even when the characters miss them. A fun, if muddled, introduction to maps. (Picture book. 5-7)

This useful title offers an introduction to key mapping concepts using an interactive presentation. Sally and her friends go in search of Sally?s missing dog and cat. On their search, readers will learn the basic parts of a map. Each double-page spread asks readers to follow along on different types of maps. Students are asked to locate specific items that relate to the type of map being used. Each entry also includes a brief description of that particular type of map. Colorful, cartoon-like illustrations accurately mirror the text. The romp begins in their neighborhood, and then moves on to the city, the world, and the universe. The book ends with directions on how to create your own map. Index. Additional Selection. Louise Capizzo, Children?s Librarian, Falmouth (Maine) Memorial Library

Gr 3-5-In this clever introduction, Sally and her four friends are looking for her missing cat and dog. The simple text is accompanied by a colorful map that uses symbols to identify places such as the library. Next, the youngsters explore the park, and the map shows how to follow a route. They continue their search in the city, the countryside, and eventually across the world and the solar system. On the way, a different type of map-for example, weather, topographical, and treasure-is featured on each spread and explained. The idea works well for the first few pages but falls apart as the children go further and further afield. However, the information is solid, and readers will enjoy looking for the animals, who are hiding somewhere in each map. Back matter includes instructions for creating a map of a bedroom.-Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.