How to go anywhere (and not get lost) by Hans Aschim, illustrated by Andres Lozano

 This book is the perfect illustration of how authors - and publishers - can produce diverse nonfiction, especially in activity or science books.

The book begins with a timeline, which stars with the earliest movements of humans and moves on through the invention of the compass in China and the navigation skills of Polynesians. This is followed by a forward by Hawai'ian Nainoa Thompson, talking about the deep cultural significance of navigation to Polynesian peoples and the part wayfinding plays in their lives. Next comes the author's note, reflecting on how deeply navigation is woven into human history, from the horrors of the European Age of Exploration to the more positive benefits of humans and their global movement.

The main narrative of the book encompasses the history, science, and culture of navigation. Hands-on activities are including, from making to using a compass, and readers can either plow straight through or jump between chapters and topics. The book is roughly arranged by historical time periods, so it starts with the earliest known human navigation and moves up to the present day, including modern technology. Now, to be absolutely fair, I am highly doubtful that reading this book will make me any less likely to get lost. I am very skilled at getting lost and have frequently done so within a few blocks of my own home. However, I thoroughly appreciated the fascinating history and science behind navigation, even though I still probably stick to my "leave an hour early and hope for the best" navigation method the next time I go someplace new.

That's the power of this book - it appeals to readers who are interested in history, readers who want to know about the science behind the tools, from compasses to GPS, and readers who want to get out and explore without getting stranded. Finally, Aschim has woven a seamlessly inclusive narrative, giving equal time and research to non-Western navigators and history and presenting oppressive and destructive eras in history, like colonialization and the European Age of Exploration (note how they always add "European" to it) in a way that is both informative and age-appropriate.

Verdict: A unique, well-written, and diverse nonfiction title. Whether your patrons live in an urban or rural area, this is sure to intrigue readers. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9781523506347; Published March 2021 by Workman; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library