The Boy Who Loved Maps

K-Gr 2–The young Mapmaker has dreamed of going to faraway places. He loves to collect and study maps, and most of all, he loves to make them. A request from a young girl to draw a map of “the perfect place. A place that’s toes-in-the-sand, wrapped-up-in-a-towel warm” leads them to explore their neighborhood. Beginning at the public library “where the sunshine can find us,” the girl guides him to the local bakery that “smells like my birthday,” then on to the playground, where “I can zip like a dragonfly.” The Mapmaker has drawn maps of countries, deserts, and oceans, but he had never drawn “a map of home.” The author’s note points to her son’s geographic drawings for inspiration. Watercolor paints in primary colors are outlined with pencil to portray the Mapmaker, the young girl (who are both white), and their neighborhood. Pair with similar picture books concerned with searching and finding the perfect recipe for happiness including Cynthia Platt’s A Little Bit of Love, Derek Anderson’s Gladys Goes Out to Lunch, and Christophe Loupi’s Hugs and Kisses and Wiggles.