The best atlas paired with the Let’s Go Geography curriculum gives you a fun and engaging way to complement each lesson. Here are several that we think would be a good fit.
Why do they fit so well? Because the majority of these explore the world country by country, just like we do in Let’s Go Geography. Since we do not sell these in our store, they are linked to Amazon, where we will earn a commission on purchases. This does not effect your price!
Read on to learn more about an atlas for lower elementary, upper elementary, AND other great resources for all grades!
The Best Atlas for Lower Elementary Grades
DK Smithsonian Children’s Illustrated Atlas
With vibrant, colorful images and detailed captions, this atlas is sure to please.
Although it doesn’t have a page for every world country, it does cover a significant number of them. Some countries are grouped together because of similarities, which makes things easier for a younger child.
Occasionally a Let’s Go Geography country may not have its own entry in this atlas, but if that happens, you could read the continent page for that country instead.
DK Where on Earth Atlas
It is true that this Atlas is not arranged country by country like we prefer, however we still highly recommend it for your lower-elementary student!
We even created a Free Downloadable Bookmark with a reading schedule on it that you can print and keep in the book, checking off the weekly assigned pages as you read them.
So, not a perfect match to our curriculum as far as countries go, but a great companion for a lot of reasons!
For details, read our Review!
The Best Atlas for Upper Elementary to Middle School
DK Countries of the World
This Atlas hits the highlights of each country with fascinating facts and lots of color. It is one of the best foundational atlases to supplement the Let’s Go Geography curriculum.
The biggest bonus? It lists 196 countries — almost every country on the globe!
You will definitely have a coordinating atlas page to read for every Let’s Go Geography lesson!
National Geography Kids: Ultimate Adventure Atlas of the Earth
This atlas appears to be the updated, revised edition (pub. 2015) of the Nat. Geo. Ultimate Globetrotting Atlas (pub. 2014).
Based on the 2014 layout, you can expect vibrant color, exciting illustrations, and short paragraphs of information for each country.
It doesn’t state how many world countries it covers, but it appears to cover all of them! Some are grouped with others, of course, but not often.
You can read about the 2014 edition in a review on our blog.
National Geographic Student World Atlas
Be Aware!! This Atlas does not feature countries individually as well as others, grouping many countries from the same geographical region together (notice the page numbers on the Table of Contents page at Amazon).
Because of this, you will not have an atlas entry to read with every Let’s Go lesson.
The atlas is listed here because it comes rather close to the goal. So it’s the next best thing.
The atlas is recommended for ages 8 and up. It is also offered in a Kid’s Edition for ages 6-10.
Other Books that Complement Let’s Go Geography
The Travel Book
Yes, this is a travel book, but it’s included for several reasons! [Don’t miss the Kid’s Edition review below!]
First, it has large, real-life illustrations and short, engaging write-ups about each country. Secondly, it lists EVERY country on earth, and has a 2-page spread for each! And thirdly, it’s coffee-table presentable. Yes, I have mine in my living room!
It packs a lot in the introductory paragraph for each country, and then has snippets of info under various headings. In travel style, it will list things like “Top Things to See,” but for our purposes that becomes a great list of the country’s remarkable natural & man-made wonders. It lists favorite foods & drinks, common phrases in their language, trademarks (things unique to them), and random facts, etc. The “Best Times to Visit” section gives insight into the country’s typical weather.
The Travel Book, Kids
The Travel Book has a kids’ edition!
The publisher recommends this one for ages 9-12, or grades 4-7.
I am in the process of reviewing this one, and so far I really like it. And my 8yo grandson (3rd grade) loves it. It’s on my coffee table, and he’s always reading it and showing me things!
It’s kind of like a kids’ atlas, but without all the maps. Each country has its own page spread, which is packed with interesting facts & lots of colorful illustrations. This one’s a keeper!
Remember, these books are not sold in our store, so they are linked to Amazon for your convenience.
As an Amazon affiliate, we will earn a small commission from all purchases, but this does not affect your price.