Couple launch new children's atlas

Jill and David Wright.

31 May 2007 09:24

They have helped educate a generation of children about the wonders of the globe - and now a couple from Mulbarton are celebrating the launch of the 12th edition of their children's atlas.

It is 20 years since the first publication of the Philip's Children's Atlas, written by David and Jill Wright.

Since 1987, when the book was first published, it has sold more than a million copies. It has been translated into several languages, including Russian and Chinese, and is used in countries as far afield as Japan and Australia.

Mr Wright said: “It was quite a lot of work to do a new edition. This time there is more coverage of Eastern Europe and Korea. There are updates due to events such as the Boxing Day tsunami.”

Mr and Mrs Wright, who are in their 60s, started out as geography teachers and the idea for the atlas grew from their frustrations with the standard of teaching material available when their own children, Rachel and Steven, started to learn about geography. Mr Wright said: “Young children can find the world very interesting if they are not just confronted with boring maps. We wanted to show children the world is an exciting place.”

The Wrights have travelled the world for research, visiting more than 100 countries. Between them they speak several languages including Spanish and French.

The couple, along with their daughter, are working on developing atlases for younger children. They hope to publish an atlas for five to seven-year-olds and another for three to five-year-olds.

Mrs Wright said: “If you get young kids enthusiastic about the world they will have an interest for life. It is about catching them when they are young.”

The 12th edition of the Philip's Children's Atlas is published in June. For more information, go to www.philips-maps.co.uk

Are you a local author with a success story to tell? Contact reporter Dominic Chessum on 01603 772428 or email dominic.chessum@archant.co.uk

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