Far-off places, unique cultures and picturesque lands.
Geography for kids is synonymous with wide-eyed wonder.
My daughters love to look at our globe and have me to tell them all that I know about each country. Unfortunately, my well of knowledge runs shallow when it comes to teaching geography. What’s even more unfortunate is that if I don’t teach my children about geography these days they may not learn it anywhere else.
This is why I think Lisa Manzione’s idea of teaching kids geography through fun children’s books is such a great idea. What makes these books so fun is that the main characters, Bella and Harry, are chihuahuas. The little puppies are perfect for describing the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower in language kids can relate to. To quote my favorite line of the book, Bella says: “Harry, did you know the Eiffel Tower is 986 feet tall? That’s almost 50 giraffes stacked on top of each other!” On the same page the illustrator drew funny looking giraffes balancing in a tipsy tower. So cute! (This same book was an International Book Awards Finalist.)
Let me tell you a little about Lisa Manzione, the author of the globally-focused children’s book series The Adventures of Bella and Harry. She is currently lending her voice in support of a U.S. bill that will fund a four-year program to enhance the teaching of geography in public schools around the country. In her words, she says:
“Geography is about a lot more than just memorizing where countries are on a map. It’s about understanding the cultures that go along with each country and the process for understanding those cultures has to start early. All of my children’s books take place in a different country, and that’s on purpose. Children need to learn at an early age that the world is a big place and if they are ever going to understand their place in the world, it is probably a good idea that they know more about it than what’s in their own backyard.”
You can visit the Bella and Harry website to learn more about other books written by Lisa as well as visit the “Activities” section of the webiste. My kids loved playing with the virtual coloring book.
BUY: Purchase The Adventures of Bella & Harry books HERE.
WIN: Win your own copy of The Adventures of Bella and Harry, Let’s Go To Paris! To enter simply visit Lisa’s site and tell me which book looks the most interesting to you OR what fun teaching methods do you have for teaching geography to your kids.
For an additional entry:
1. Become a Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves (in the sidebar) and leave a comment saying you did so.
2. Like us on Facebook and leave a comment.
Only one person per email/household/IPaddress can enter this giveaway. He/she must be 18+ years old and reside in the U.S. This giveaway ends on Tuesday, 7/7 at 12:01 AM PST (Eastern Standard Time). One winner will be chosen randomly via Random.org. I will notify the winner via email and he/she must respond to claim the prize within 48 hours or I will draw another winner.
I was not compensated for this post although I did receive free product to facilitate my review. Any and all opinions here are mine.
27 comments
Skip to comment form ↓
phxbne
June 10, 2011 at 9:18 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
the Paris one – top of my 6 year old’s to visit list!
phxbne
June 10, 2011 at 9:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Google Friends Connect follower of Moana Saves
Kris
July 5, 2011 at 4:03 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
geography is a subject that is sorely under taught in the U.S. It is a very important subject to learn. Places, landscapes, climates, and the different cultures and animals and just the variety of life in this world is interesting to learn about and helps you learn about many subjects at once.
Kris
July 5, 2011 at 4:05 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
gfc follower
KDSyrjala at gmail dot com
Kris
July 5, 2011 at 4:06 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
fb fan
Kristine Syrjala
KDSyrjala at gmail dot com
pmj
July 6, 2011 at 4:29 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
The “Let’s visit London” book looks interesting.
I wish they had these books when I was little!
pjames330 at aol dot com
pmj
July 6, 2011 at 4:31 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
GFC follower
pjames330
pmj
July 6, 2011 at 4:32 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
FB fan
pamela j
Samantha Hill
July 6, 2011 at 5:18 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
We read lots of books, search the web, go to the library for research, use maps, the globe and LOVE to do projects! The kiddos love learning about new places!! =)
s_hill2009@yahoo.com
Samantha Hill
July 6, 2011 at 5:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I follow via GFC!
Sam
s_hill2009@yahoo.com
Samantha Hill
July 6, 2011 at 5:21 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like Moana Saves on Facebook! (Left a comment there also!)
Laurie Laurie Brown
July 6, 2011 at 7:18 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like the one where they go to London and we also love the coloring pages on her site
Laurie Laurie Brown
July 6, 2011 at 7:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I follow you on GFC
Laurie Laurie Brown
July 6, 2011 at 7:20 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like you on FB
Diana Bradford Hatch
July 6, 2011 at 8:19 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Bella and Harry visit London looks fun
Diana Bradford Hatch
July 6, 2011 at 8:23 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I follow you on GFc
Diana Bradford Hatch
July 6, 2011 at 8:31 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like you on fb
Janet F
July 6, 2011 at 10:43 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like Let’s Visit Venice.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F
July 6, 2011 at 10:43 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I follow you on GFC – janetfaye
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Janet F
July 6, 2011 at 10:44 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I like you on FB – Janet Fri
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
BeautyToLove
July 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
-Most interesting: Let’s Visit Venice!
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
THANK YOU!!
BeautyToLove
July 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I Follow You Publicly via Google Friend Connect
–GFC Name: Beauty To Love
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!!
BeautyToLove
July 6, 2011 at 11:41 pm (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I Like You on Facebook
–FB Name: Francine E.
aliaskys (at) yahoo . com
Thank You!!
Sara Filler
July 7, 2011 at 2:34 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I teach Kindergarten so obviously we don’t get very much in depth geography, but my favorite thing to teach them some this past year was our 50 state Christmas Card exchange. I pulled down our map and we talked every day when we got a card from a K class in another state.
Sara Filler
July 7, 2011 at 2:35 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
I became a friend on GFC
amber
July 7, 2011 at 2:40 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
Let’s visit London sounds fun.
amber
July 7, 2011 at 2:41 am (UTC 0) Link to this comment
GFc follower