My 1^st Atlas (Meu 1º Atlas) will teach children the concepts, elements and methods involved in the elaboration of maps, so that they may be able to understand the cartographic representations and find that besides a lot of information, an atlas may be fun. While it is not officially published, which will occur in the event "Bienal do Livro do Rio", the publication can be obtained in the virtual shop of the IBGE (www.ibge.gov.br).

Once upon a time there was a map that can be small or big; whose lines and symbols determine railways, roads, rivers, mountains, cities, forests, states and countries; which allows people who never went to a place to have an idea of how it is; although it is not always easy to understand, especially for children from 6 to 10 years old. 

Trying to help these young readers to understand the cartographic representations, the IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística) presents now My 1^st Atlas (Meu 1º Atlas). The differentiation of this publication is that it does not only contain the traditional maps but also tries to construct, slowly, the knowledge required for the comprehension of these maps, which means to teach children to use an atlas, showing that besides a lot of information, it can be fun. 

Together with the cousins Júlia and Bebeto, the child sees a map from school to house, and also maps of the world. In this course, the child gets used with the concepts, elements and methods involved in the elaboration of the map. The child learns, for example, the use of symbols in the cartographic representation, the importance of the legends, the perception of different scales, the orientation by cardinal points, the function of the GPS equipment (Global Positioning System) and even what is aerial photogrammetry. 

All the information is illustrated with pictures and suggestions of activities and tips to teachers are included. The publication includes also the Wind Rose, a political map of Brazil, a map from each state with the municipalities to paint inside and the "map of Júlia" – which she herself paints in the beginning of the story.

The book is the fist atlas of the IBGE directed to children from 6 to 10 years old, and is a continuation of the editorial line of the institution directed to this age group. To be certain that this publication was suitable to its target public, it was tested by children of the third grade of the elementary instruction of Rio de Janeiro. The prepublication, today, joins specialists in infant cartography and representatives of public institutions related to education. The official publication is expected for the "12ª Bienal Internacional do Livro do Rio de Janeiro", which will take place from May 12 to May 22. My 1st Atlas will be sold initially in the virtual shop of the IBGE (www.ibge.gov.br).