If you have seen news stories that show how many young adults cannot name common geographic facts, you know that maps skills are not a high priority in too many schools. Happily, learning the names of the states, their locations on the map and their capitals just got easier with this map/puzzle. A colorful map with the shapes and capitals printed on it has a slick finish. It comes with reusable stickers that are labeled with the state name, a small icon of a landmark or product, and the state capital. So, it’s a self-correcting puzzle that reinforces all the elements. In an age when geography often gets little attention, this is a small investment for some basic information kids should know.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2010.