Children's Books and Family History: A Book of Maps for You

There is something magical about looking at a map. It promises adventure, discovery, and places waiting to be explored. But what if a map didn't just show where to go? What if it showed what mattered?

A Book of Maps for You by Lourdes Heuer is a beautifully illustrated picture book that invites readers to see familiar places in a whole new way. Through a collection of hand-drawn maps, children discover that every neighborhood, home, and community is filled with stories just waiting to be noticed. It is a gentle reminder that the places we visit every day can become some of our most treasured memories.

The story follows a child who creates a series of maps highlighting meaningful places throughout their world. From the library and the park to the neighborhood streets and favorite hidden spots, each map is filled with observations, memories, and little details that make those places unique. As readers turn each page, they begin to see that these are more than ordinary maps—they are a celebration of belonging, community, and the small moments that often become our biggest memories.

With warm illustrations and thoughtful storytelling, A Book of Maps for You encourages children to look closely at the places they call home and to recognize that every family has meaningful places woven into their own story.

This book made me think about the house, school, and community I was part of growing up. As I was preparing this post, I decided to sketch a simple map of the house I grew up in. What I didn't anticipate were all the questions my children would ask as they walked by and peeked over my shoulder.

"Which bedroom was yours?"

"Why was the washing machine in the kitchen?"

"Why was your house so small?"

As I answered their questions, I was reminded just how simple family history can be. One drawing sparked questions, and those questions sparked memories. Before I knew it, I was sharing stories that my children had never heard before.

I loved the house I grew up in.

I remember walking home from school on dark December afternoons. No matter how cold or wet I was, seeing the Christmas tree glowing through the front window always made me feel warm before I even stepped inside.

I remember my siblings and I playing the "jumping game" on the staircase, seeing how many steps we could skip on the way down. I think I eventually worked my way up to jumping from the sixth step all the way to the bottom before we moved.

I remember Mum asking me to carry the dinner plates to the table, and telling her I couldn't because my arm still hurt from hurting a couple of weeks earlier. It turned out it wasn't just sore, it was fractured, and I spent the rest of the month wearing a cast.

I remember playing church on Sunday afternoons with my little sister and all of our stuffed animals. I always seemed to have one or two "naughty" children in my group who needed to be taken out into the hallway to calm down.

Our home was filled with ordinary moments like these, and together they became the story of my childhood.

Drawing a simple map reminded me that every home holds hundreds of memories waiting to be shared. A map of a childhood home, school, church building, neighborhood, or Grandma's house can become the beginning of meaningful conversations. It gives children a chance to ask questions, hear stories, and discover that the places we remember are just as much a part of our family history as the people themselves.

Sometimes all it takes is a simple drawing to help the next generation find their way into your story.

ACTIVITY: Draw Your Childhood Home

Sometimes the simplest activities create the most meaningful conversations. Grab a pencil and see how much of your childhood home you can remember. As you sketch, you'll likely find that memories begin to surface—some you haven't thought about in years. Then invite your children or grandchildren to ask questions. You may be surprised by where the conversation leads.

Don't worry about making it perfect. This isn't a blueprint—it's a conversation starter. Sketch the home you remember and invite your children or grandchildren to ask questions. You might be surprised by the memories that come flooding back.

to download/print the activity page simply click here or on the image below