1. Westminster Institute of Education MAKING SENSE OF GEOGRAPHY IN COMMERCIAL GEOGRAPHY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN Professor Simon Catling

2. Westminster Institute of Education Populist geography texts for younger children A long-standing personal/professional interest Types of books about geography that you can buy in chain and independent bookshops in the Childrens section from the Geography shelves. Have collected some 70 such books, over last 20 years Currently examining 30 books from 1996-2005 Such books are bought after very little consideration in the shop

3. Westminster Institute of Education YOUR TASK To provide a quick, personal response to the book in front of you Please make legible notes using the form provided Add no additional notes after time given to respond Return form to Simon

4. Westminster Institute of Education What do you find on the shelves? (1) Books titled Geography and books about the World and the Earth Books that take you round the World to countries, fully or selectively Books that focus on the physical or natural environment Books that focus on people in places and/or daily life around the World

5. Westminster Institute of Education What do you find on the shelves? (2) Books that are highly illustrated, with photographs and/or colour pictures - scenic Books that use globes and world maps (80%+), and continental maps Books that are descriptive: tell you about, outline, show what like and what happens You learn about: places and environments, human and physical features, some natural processes, aspects of people lives, economic activity, leisure, cultural differences

6. Westminster Institute of Education Some emerging images of geography (1) Geography is interested in the World Geography as a systematic study of the natural and human environments Geography as the study of countries and regions of the World Geography uses maps Geography has a limited interest in environmental matters and concerns Geography as knowing about the World and as having some sense of how it works

7. Westminster Institute of Education Some emerging images of geography (2) Geography looks to the national and global scale, rarely locally Geography is not that up-to-date, eg with GIS, GPS, aerial/satellite photos Geography seems not to use investigative approaches, even exploring the internet Geography avoids contentious matters and challenging topics Geography does not want to tell anyone what it is about or how it studies what it does Newer and developing geographies….????