LIBE 467 Assignment 1 Evaluative Review of a Reference Work

Introduction

 

The “Children’s Atlas of the World” and “The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” will be reviewed based on criteria suggested in Riedling’s “Reference Skills for the School Librarian” (Riedling, 23).  

 

Content Scope

 

The “Children’s Atlas of the World” states that “Maps show us what places on Earth look like from above”, and that “Different symbols, lines, and colour are used to show the features on the earth’s surface”(Picthall, 6). The atlas does an excellent job of showing maps from each region of the world, as well as teaching how to read a map e.g. that colour is used to show elevation on a map.   

 

Authority, Accuracy, and Bias

 

Authority: Chez Picthall spent the 25 years prior to creating the “Children’s Atlas of the World” as an Art Designer of the Cartography Division of the Publisher Dorling Kindersley (https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chez-picthall-0891318). The atlas also employed Encompass Graphics to create their images. Encompass Graphics has produced materials for the BBC, the Oxford University Press, and National Geographic among other organizations (https://encompass-graphics.co.uk/).

 

Accuracy and Bias: Riedling suggests in “Reference Skills for the Professional Librarian” that accuracy and bias can be assessed by examining the coverage of controversial issues and the balance in coverage given to various subjects” (Riedling, 22). In the section on Canada, the “Children’s Atlas of the World” states that “Canada’s multicultural population includes more than a million Aboriginal people” (Picthall, 20). But by including Aboriginal people under the umbrella of Canada, Picthall fails to recognize that Settler-Aboriginal relations are actually the relations of separate nations.  

 

Arrangement and Presentation

 

The “Children’s Atlas of the World” has an excellent set of indexes. One index is just for the maps in the book while another is for main topics in the book. Readers would also be able to find information easily by looking at the table of contents as it has been organized by geographic region (e.g. Europe).  

Timeliness and Permanence

 

The “Children’s Atlas of the World” is outdated. Riedling suggests that science texts and encyclopedia should be replaced every five years, but the atlas is fourteen years old (Riedling, 24). The atlas does not, for instance, show that South Sudan is now its own country. Nor has the information about climate change aged well. The atlas notes that “The World’s climate is gradually changing” (Picthall, 14). However, since 2009 the effects of climate change have increased dramatically. The World Meteorological Association states that “The warmest eight years have all been since 2015” (https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/past-eight-years-confirmed-be-eight-warmest-record)

 

Accessibility and Diversity

 

The large size font and bright colour pictures would by very appealing for many readers. Even for younger readers that may not be able to read yet, there is lots of information that could be learned just by looking at the visual information. 

 

It is disappointing that there seems to have been little consultation with First Nations groups in the publishing of this work. Place names in Canada are only written in English - ignoring the much longer history of these places as named by First Nations People. The atlas does not even have a listing in the general index for Aboriginal or First Nations Peoples. 

 

Cost

 

The cost of $19.99 for the “Children’s Atlas of the World” is very affordable. This makes it an easy item to update. In fact, the revised 2019 edition is still selling for only $19.99.

 

Part Two: “The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada Map

 

Content Scope

 

The scope of “The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” map is limited to Canada. However, by showing Indigenous place names in Canada, as well as dividing Canada up by Indigenous language groups, rather than by Canadian political borders, this resource provides a useful counterpoint to “The Children’s Atlas of the World”.  

 

Authority, Accuracy, and Bias

 

Authority: “The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” was created by Canadian Geographic. Canadian Geographic is published by the Royal Canadian Geographical Society which has existed since 1929. Its stated purpose is “To help Canadians chart a successful future by fostering a greater understanding of Canada’s geography” (The Society’s Mandate | The Royal Canadian Geographical Society (rcgs.org).

 

Accuracy and Bias: The atlas, by showing Indigenous place names instead of Settler place names, challenges the biases of many of its readers. It also helps us understand that every map is political. By choosing to include or exclude the traditional names of First Nations Communities, a political message is being sent. 

 

Arrangement and Presentation

 

The map may be disorienting to some Settler Canadians as provincial borders and Settler place names are not used. The map may, however, be incredibly welcoming to some Indigenous viewers. As the education advisor for the atlas says, “People that are members of the Michel Band [in Alberta] come to the map and it's so emotional because the Michel Band has never been shown on a map before" (Giant Indigenous Peoples Atlas floor map will change the way you see Canada | CBC Radio).

 

Timeliness and Permanence

 

“The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” is incredibly timely as it was created in 2018 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation report. Given that the map is literally made to be walked on, it should also be fairly permanent. The information included on the map will of course change over time.

 

Accessibility and Diversity

 

“The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” is 10.7 metres by 7.9 metres in size. Many students that may not be interested by a book, or that cannot yet read, can learn by walking the map. However, its accessibility is limited by the fact that it can only be booked for one 3 week period during the school year (if it isn’t already booked).

 

The atlas was “Produced in partnership with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, the Métis National Council, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation” (https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-indigenous-peoples-atlas-of-canada-launches-extensive-new-educational-resources-698266461.html). Canadian Geographic also encourages schools to use the map as a jumping off point to connect with local Indigenous communities.

 

Cost

 

“The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada” is provided free of charge by Canadian Geographic.

Rubric

 

Resource   “Children’s Atlas of the World” (CATW)   “The Indigenous People’s Atlas of Canada ” (IPAP)	Approaching Expectations	Meets Expectations	Exceeds Expectations
Content Scope	The resource presents some depth and breadth of the topic appropriate to its intended audience	The resource presents a comprehensive depth and breadth of the topic appropriate to its intended audience	The resource presents a sophisticated depth and breadth of the topic appropriate to its intended audience (CATW) (IPAP)
Authority, Accuracy, Bias	The resource has been created by authors with the education and background in order to be considered competent in their field   The resource somewhat clearly explains controversial issues in a fair and balanced fashion (CATW)	The resource has been created by authors with the education and background in order to be experts in their field (CATW)   The resource clearly explains controversial issues in a fair and balanced fashion	The resource has been created by a diverse group of authors with the education and background in order to be experts in their field (IPAP)   The resource explains controversial issues with great nuance (IPAP)
Arrangement and Presentation	The resource has been created so that information can be somewhat easily found   An index make information somewhat easy to be found	The resource has been created so that information can be easily found   An Index makes information easy to be found	The resource has been created so that information can be easily found (CATW) (IPAP)   Multiple indexes make information easy to be found (CATW) (IPAP)
Timeliness and Permanence	The resource presents information that is somewhat current (CATW)   The resource displays information in a way that will be accessible for a few years	The resource presents information that is current (IPAP)   The resource displays information in a way that will be accessible for 5 to 10 years (CATW) (IPAP)	The resource displays information in a way that will update over time
Accessibility and Diversity	The resource is accessible to some students in the school   The resource contains information from a few different viewpoints(CATW)	The resource is accessible to most students in the school (CATW)   The resource contains information from multiple different viewpoints	The resource is accessible to all students in the school (IPAP)   The resource contains information from multiple different viewpoints and in multiple languages/formats (IPAP)
Cost	The price is somewhat reasonable based on how students will use the resource	The price is reasonable based on how students will use the resource	The price is excellent value  based on how students will use the resource (CATW) (IPAP)

Works Cited

 

“Cartography Book Publishing GIS Graphic Design.” Encompass Graphics Ltd, Encompass Graphics, 17 May 2018, https://encompass-graphics.co.uk/.

Cram, Stephanie. “Giant Indigenous Peoples Atlas Floor Map Will Change the Way You See Canada | CBC Radio.” CBCnews, CBC/Radio Canada, 19 June 2019, https://www.cbc.ca/radio/unreserved/redrawing-the-lines-1.4973363/giant-indigenous-peoples-atlas-floor-map-will-change-the-way-you-see-canada-1.4973372.

“Past Eight Years Confirmed to Be the Eight Warmest on Record.” World Meteorological Organization, 12 Jan. 2023, https://public.wmo.int/en/media/press-release/past-eight-years-confirmed-be-eight-warmest-record.

Picthall, Chez. Chez Picthall - Bromley, England, United Kingdom | Professional Profile ... Linkedin, https://uk.linkedin.com/in/chez-picthall-0891318.

Picthall, Chez. Children's Atlas of the World. Scholastic Canada Ltd, 2009.

Riedling, Ann Marlow, and Cynthia Houston. Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips. Libraries Unlimited, an Imprint of ABC CLIO, LLC, 2019.

Society, Royal Canadian Geographical. “The Indigenous Peoples Atlas of Canada Launches Extensive New Educational Resources.” Cision Canada, 23 Oct. 2018, https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/the-indigenous-peoples-atlas-of-canada-launches-extensive-new-educational-resources-698266461.html.