How I Learned Geography

Written & illustrated by Uri Shulevitz

A boy discovers a map's power to nourish his imagination beyond hunger.

6.0/7 Bookroo expert·4.0/5 Goodreads · 2,853 ratings

32 pages· 839 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$21.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In a foreign land, a boy's family struggles with poverty and hunger. When his father brings home a map instead of food, the boy is initially angry. Yet, as he explores the map's vibrant details, he embarks on journeys to distant lands, finding solace and nourishment for his spirit. This tale, inspired by wartime memories, reveals how imagination can transcend dire circumstances. Will the boy's newfound perspective change his view of the world around him?

From the publisher

Having fled from war in their troubled homeland, a boy and his family are living in poverty in a strange country. Food is scarce, so when the boy’s father brings home a map instead of bread for supper, at first the boy is furious. But when the map is hung on the wall, it floods their cheerless room with color. As the boy studies its every detail, he is transported to exotic places without ever leaving the room, and he eventually comes to realize that the map feeds him in a way that bread never could. The award-winning artist’s most personal work to date is based on his childhood memories of World War II and features stunning illustrations that celebrate the power of imagination. An author’s note includes a brief description of his family’s experience, two of his early drawings, and the only surviving photograph of himself from that time.How I Learned Geography is a 2009 Caldecott Honor Book and a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children’s Book of the Year.