COMMUNICATION IN CHILDRENS PICTURE ATLASES

A selection of children's picture atlases was analysed for pictorial c ontent and illustrative style. Eighty six primary children were interv iewed and an assessment made of their identification and interpretatio n of map-located pictures. Picture recognition and interpretation with out reference to any explanatory legend or text were found to be highl y variable. Some characteristics of picture misinterpretation are iden tified and a number of aspects of children's reasoning about picture l ocation are explored. Some tentative guidelines are presented for cart ographers and illustrators as well for teachers and parents.