Smithsonian Exploration Station: World Atlas is one of three new releases by the Smithsonian designed for upper Elementary and Middle School kids. See my previous reviews of the Solar System and the Human Body.

As is the case with the other Exploration Stations, there is a large flat object, in this case a map of the world to which you can affix stickers (supplied), a booklet full of interesting information, pictures, and text, and two activities. In this case, on activity is a set of cardboard models of major examples of architecture, such as the Eiffel Tower, and the other is a blow up globe.

The globe is an interesting combination of political and physical. Countries are shown, a fair amount of terrain is shown. To avoid clutter, exactly one city, which in theory is the capital, is shown for each country. In some countries, the capital is divided among cities, and that is partly accounted for here, where South Africa has two of the three capital cities shown.

The kit is well made, fun, and truly educational. Great gift for a geo-Kid this holiday season. All three kids are worthy of your consideration. Also, there is no risk that if you give this to someone, they already got one last year. This product is brand new this month.

Have you read the breakthrough novel of the year? When you are done with that, try:

In Search of Sungudogo by Greg Laden, now in Kindle or Paperback
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