Learning the 50 States with The Little Man In the Map

Geography is an important part of homeschool history. Knowing where the 50 States are located and what their terrain is like helps us understand things that have occurred in our country’s history. The Little Man In the Map is a delightful picture book that can help kids in a fun way to learn and remember where all 50 States are located.

Affiliate links are used in this post and on this website. Please see our disclosure policy for more details.

Learning the 50 States with The Little Man In the Map

We are learning with The Little Man In the Map by E. Andrew Martonyi and my kids are loving it! This is by far, the best strategy I have seen to help kids learn how to recognize the States on a map. This award-winning, beautiful book teaches children how to recognize the States through mnemonics…each state is a picture of something and becomes a part of the story.

As the story begins, The Little Man In the Map comes to life. Have you ever noticed him before? He is right there in the middle of the map, and is made up by:

• Minnesota (his hat)
• Iowa (his face)
• Missouri (his shirt)
• Arkansas (his pants)
• Louisiana (his boots)

My children really enjoy the sing-song rhyming verse of the book.

I also really like how Mr. Martonyi breaks the States down into 5, easy to manage, regions:

• the Midwest
• South Central
• Southeastern
• Northeastern
• Western States

A large, laminated wall map, which is also represented in the book, can be purchased separately. {As of the update of this post in 2024 I could not find this map to purchase.} But you could easily purchase this 50 States Coloring Poster and have your children color it to match what is presented in The Little Man In the Map.

This book is great for all ages (even my 3 year old is learning U.S. geography!) and for all types of homeschoolers (if you are offended by elves, and the word magic, you may not want this book) .

Purchasing The Little Man In the Map

The Little Man In the Map can be purchased new or used through Amazon for less than $7 {current pricing as of 2024}

More Fun Ways to Learn U.S. Geography

Homeschool Geography Games – Educational and fun for the whole family. Games are a great way to make learning fun! Using homeschool geography games not only makes geography more fun, but it is a visual and hands-on way for kids to learn U.S. and World Geography

Geo Puzzles for Homeschool Geography Fun – Puzzles are a wonderful way for kids to get hands-on with topics they are learning. Geo Puzzles are a great way to add hands-on learning and fun to your homeschool geography studies.

Stack the States Homeschool Geography App – The Stack the States Homeschool Geography App is a favorite in our house. Even our grown children enjoy playing with their nephew! It’s a fun and engaging way to learn things like the shapes of the states, where they are located on the map, state flags, and many more fun facts about each state.

The Scrambled States of America Geography Game – This game is based on the popular book, The Scrambled States of America, where all of the states decide to switch places to see what life is like in another part of the country. It’s a fun educational game for the whole family.

Make Geography Fun with Chalk Pastels – Are you looking for a unique way to get your kids excited about their homeschool geography? Maybe you have a hands-on learner that just needs something a little extra for their cartography lesson. Here is a unique way to learn about maps, continents, countries and world landmarks. Now you can make geography fun with chalk pastels!

~ Originally published July 2009, written by Kari, Momma Snail.