Maps can show us streets and subways and cities and countries. But they can also show us what we can’t see, what we can only imagine, or how to build something. Mapping the world is a universal and timeless occupation. In Joyce Hesselberth’s Mapping Sam, a cat named Sam puts her family to bed, and then—when all is quiet—heads out to explore her neighborhood. As Sam follows her customary path, wandering farther and farther away from home, readers encounter different kinds of maps illuminating different points of view and the various spots Sam visits. Finally, when Sam reaches her favorite place and confirms that all is well, she heads back home, climbs onto a cozy bed, and falls asleep. Informational, beautiful, and deeply moving, Mapping Sam is both a book about how maps work and a character-driven animal story. An ideal read-aloud for classrooms, the book features a glossary as well as various maps and map terms throughout.