An admirably lucid presentation of what maps are, how they're made, and their many different types and uses. Beginning with a sequence that moves from a map of Weiss's desk to maps of his room, house, town, and state to a map of ``the entire world,'' it includes discussions of scale, symbols, contour lines, latitude and longitude, the most frequently used projections, and several special purpose maps, such as marine charts and aircraft maps. A final chapter gives easily followed directions for mapping an area such as a backyard. The simple drawings are lively, well placed, and perfectly clear; unfortunately, the decision to use just two colors (black and brown) results in a couple of apologies when the important use of several colors (e.g., on an N.Y.C. subway map) can't be shown. Still, an excellent survey that nicely conveys the fascination of its many-faceted subject. (Nonfiction. 8-11)
