I have always appreciated the Bright Ideas Press motto: “Practical, Fun, and Affordable History, Geography, and Science Resources!” And they always deliver for us.
Now, they have done it again. The newest addition to their product line is a Map software program, WonderMaps , that allows you to customize a collection of over 350 maps.
This is a fantastic resource to have at my fingertips. We have already used it many times, just messing around and looking up and creating customized maps that we had looked for and never exactly found in the past.
For example, we went back to our Mystery of History Volume 1 and just started looking up corresponding maps. I remember when I first did MOH, I was frustrated when I couldn’t find an ancient map that fit a project we were working on. WonderMaps would’ve been perfect back then!
Oh well, we have it now. You can look up specific maps based on time period, or political boundaries, you can choose to have the maps in black and white or color, even look up a map that corresponds to some of the Mystery of History and All American History curriculum.
And everything can be printed exactly as you choose. This is just fun for kids to play around with and can save a lot of time and frustration when you want to include pertinent maps in a lesson plan.
WonderMaps is designed with easy-to-use layers. You can select from:
- historical or modern-day maps
- outline, reference, political, or topographical maps
- black-and-white or color maps
- features including: names, borders, rivers, cities, physical features, and graticules
Wondering how they do it? Take a look at the tutorial:
- 60+ maps of the world
- 60+ maps of the USA
- 125 historical maps, including 25 biblical maps
- The complete map sets from The Mystery of History vols. I–III and All American History vols. I & II
They also include a resource section that includes some geography and teaching ideas and projects.
The software is $49.50 and is available for PC and Mac. One note, the software requires Adobe Reader v. 9.1 or higher to run, but you can download that free at Adobe.com.
And, coupon alert! If you subscribe to TOS, check your magazine for a 20% off coupon code. Also, be sure to sign up with the BIP newsletter for ongoing curriculum ideas and special discount codes. Click Here to visit Bright Ideas Press.
See what my crewmates have to say about WonderMaps and Bright ideas Press.
I received a download of The WonderMap software for PC through the TOS Crew for review purposes. I have given my honest opinion. *I am also a proud affiliate for BIP!