Geography: A Visual Encyclopedia (DK Children's Visual Encyclopedias) Paperback – June 17, 2013

When I was in 3rd or 4th grade, there was a book titled simply "Nature" that I kept perpetually checked out from the school library, renewal after renewal. Chock-full of beautiful photos ranging from butterflies, to minerals and gemstones, to birds and mammals, to volcanoes and glaciers, with simple child-accessible prose, the book fascinated me and I daydreamed about whether it would be possible to make a living studying nature when I grew up, or it would just have to be my hobby. My "nature study" inspired by this book was the earliest memorable experience that led eventually to my getting a PhD in zoology, teaching it for 40 years, and becoming a textbook author myself. I always credit my happy career choice in large part to the esthetic appreciation of nature, and I credit that early esthetic appreciation to this book.I see "Smithsonian Geography" in the same light. I look forward to presenting it to our grandson for his upcoming 10th birthday. It's beautifully and lavishly illustrated, and spans a wide range of topics about our planet, from insects and dinosaurs to oceans and volcanoes to planets and moons. He already loves this subject matter and has read many books in this area for the pre-10 age group. I'm confident that "Smithsonian Geography" will excite and inspire the next step for him and his younger brothers, deepen his esthetic and informational appreciation of nature, and boost him to the next reading level. Maybe it will even produce the next scientist in my clan.My only caveat is the title. This book isn't about geography in the sense that a buyer might expect--maps and charts, learning the names of states, countries, rivers, mountain ranges, and the like. There's not much of that map-sense geography. I'm not sure what better title I would give it. It leans more toward earth science or geology, but it's more than that, with biology, astronomy, and other aspects of natural history as well--just as I anticipated and wanted.Our copy arrived wet and warped, so I had to return it for an exchange. Our mail carrier made the unusual step of coming back into the woods to personally and apologetically hand it to us instead of leaving it at the mailbox by the road, and explained that it was water damaged even when she received it. Only one corner of the box was wet and broken open; other merchandise in the same box, including another, smaller book, was undamaged. It would have spared everyone the cost and delay of a return and exchange if it had been wrapped in biodegradable plastic like some other Amazon orders we've received.

Don't be misled into thinking this is a book for kids only. I'm a 50s adult and learned a LOT in this book. With all the talk on climate change and our planet, it's important to have some basic knowledge level about our planet. This book is an Outstanding resource to educate yourself about our world. Visually stunning photos on every page, and the text gives you the practical, general information. Covers everything from the atmosphere, magnetic fields, our solar system, oceans, geology, minerals, volcanoes, glaciers, soil, weather, ice Ages, and a lot more. Highly recommend for kids and adults.

Condition was listed as good, but I would say it's like new, the spine hasn't even been broken in! Beautiful all around and very fast shipping. Thank you so much!

Really great pictures of places in the world I have and have not been to or have seen. A nice reference book for young kids to study and use for school projects or for personal use.

Nicely put together. Good quality pictures.

Glossy, quality pages & binding, numerous & nice illustrations and photos, a very comprehensive study of geography written in an easy to understand manner. Definitely a good buy.

I AM 48 YEARS OLD, AND I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS A LOT I LEARNED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL THAT I COULD NOT REMEMBER NOW. THAT IS WHY I BOUGHT THIS BOOK. IT WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WANTED. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. READ IT IN A WEEK FROM COVER TO COVER. IT SERVED ITS PURPOSE FOR ME. I WOULD DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO REFRESH THEIR MEMORY OR FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT LEARNING GEOGRAPHY IN SCHOOL.

Good book for my 4th grader child.