Explore the World

Pick a place. Discover a story.

Travel from famous cities to ancient landmarks and natural wonders—one reading passage at a time.

900 readings

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Reading passages around the world

Browse every mapped reading, from broad regions to specific cities, landmarks, and natural features.

Garrett Morgan: The Safety InventorGrade 3 · InformationalOhio

Young Martin's Big DreamsGrade 3 · BiographyGeorgia

The Big Cheese: Saving Chicago from the Rat KingGrade 5 · Reader's TheaterIllinois

Savitribai Phule: The Mother of Modern Indian EducationGrade 6 · BiographyIndia

Separating Myth from Reality: The True Origin of the Ring CandyGrade 6 · InformationalOhio

Harriet Tubman: The Unfaltering ConductorGrade 7 · BiographyMaryland

Teenage Life in the UK: School, Culture, and Daily RoutinesGrade 7 · InformationalUnited Kingdom

The Emerald City: Exploring the Splendor of SydneyGrade 7 · InformationalAustralia

Threads of the Andes: The Heritage of Peruvian TextilesGrade 7 · InformationalPeru

Savitribai Phule: The Mother of Indian FeminismGrade 8 · BiographyIndia

The Guardian of the Hell Creek RaptorGrade 8 · FictionMontana

A Big Day at the MuseumLower Elementary · Short Story • FictionIndiana

A Boat Ride in VeniceLower Elementary · Diary Entry • FictionItaly

A Day at the Inner HarborLower Elementary · Short Story • FictionMaryland

A Day at the Roman BathsLower Elementary · Short Story • FictionUnited Kingdom

A Day in JacksonLower Elementary · Short Story • FictionMississippi

A Family Day in Florence, OregonLower Elementary · How-To / Procedural • Functional TextsOregon

A New Friend at Boulders BeachLower Elementary · Short Story • FictionSouth Africa

A Purple Postcard from FranceLower Elementary · Letter / Email • Functional TextsFrance

A Visit to the Newark Museum of ArtLower Elementary · InformationalNew Jersey

A Visit to the Red RiverLower Elementary · Reader's TheaterLouisiana

All About BostonLower Elementary · InformationalMassachusetts

Animals of the Wichita MountainsLower Elementary · Report • InformationalOklahoma

Showing 24 of 900

Explore continents

Start broad, then continue into countries and places with their own reading collections.

continentAfricaWelcome to Africa, a vast continent of incredible geographic diversity, rich histories, and vibrant cultures. Explore reading passages that take young learners from the Sahara Desert to the bustling cities and majestic rivers of this amazing land. 38 readings

continentAntarcticaBundle up and explore Antarctica, the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth! Perfect for young adventurers, our reading passages reveal the incredible wildlife, massive ice sheets, and scientific discoveries waiting at the bottom of the world. 4 readings

continentAsiaWelcome to Asia, the world's largest and most populous continent! From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to ancient historic wonders and bustling modern cities, exploring this vast region helps young readers discover diverse cultures, unique wildlife, and rich histories. 82 readings

continentEuropeJourney across Europe to explore a continent rich in history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. From ancient ruins to bustling modern cities, these reading passages help young learners discover the unique stories and geography of this vibrant region. 65 readings

continentNorth AmericaEmbark on an exciting reading journey across North America! From the icy tundra of the Arctic to the vibrant tropical forests of Central America, explore the diverse landscapes, rich history, and fascinating cultures that shape this incredible continent. 665 readings

continentOceaniaWelcome to Oceania, a vast region of stunning islands, diverse cultures, and unique wildlife scattered across the Pacific Ocean. Explore reading passages that transport students from the Australian outback to the volcanic peaks of New Zealand and the coral atolls of Polynesia. 20 readings

continentSouth AmericaJourney across South America, a vibrant continent of towering Andes peaks, the vast Amazon Rainforest, and ancient historical wonders. Explore engaging reading passages that bring the diverse cultures, unique wildlife, and rich geography of this incredible region directly to your young readers. 26 readings

Explore countries

Jump directly to a published country page, including every mapped place further down its hierarchy.

countryAustraliaWelcome to Australia, a unique island continent filled with incredible wildlife, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural history. Explore reading passages that bring this fascinating land down under to life for young readers. 10 readings

countryBrazilWelcome to Brazil, the largest country in South America! Explore the vibrant wonders of the Amazon rainforest, bustling cities, and diverse cultural traditions that make this South American nation so unique. 11 readings

countryCambodiaWelcome to Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country rich in ancient history, vibrant traditions, and breathtaking natural wonders. Explore the legacy of the Khmer Empire and the beauty of the Mekong River through engaging reading passages designed for young learners. 10 readings

countryCanadaEmbark on an exciting learning journey across Canada, the second-largest country in the world. From the rugged Rocky Mountains to the historic shores of the Atlantic, our reading passages help young explorers discover the diverse cultures, vibrant cities, and stunning natural wonders of this vast northern nation. 10 readings

countryChinaJourney across China, a vast land of ancient history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant traditions. Discover how exploring this massive region helps young readers build deep background knowledge in geography, culture, and science. 13 readings

countryEgyptWelcome to Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and rich history. From the banks of the Nile River to the towering pyramids, explore captivating reading materials that bring this historic North African nation to life for young learners. 12 readings

countryFranceWelcome to France, a vibrant European nation filled with historic landmarks, diverse landscapes, and deep cultural roots. Explore reading passages that bring French history, art, and geography to life for young learners. 11 readings

countryIndiaWelcome to India, a vibrant South Asian country rich in history, diverse cultures, and stunning landscapes. From the towering Himalayas to busy cities and ancient monuments, exploring this region sparks curiosity and deepens reading comprehension for young learners. 15 readings

countryIrelandWelcome to Ireland, the Emerald Isle! Explore this beautiful island nation known for its lush green landscapes, ancient castles, and rich storytelling traditions that have captured imaginations for centuries. 10 readings

countryItalyStep into Italy, a Mediterranean peninsula shaped like a boot, rich in history, art, and science. Explore reading materials that transport young learners from the ancient ruins of Rome to the canals of Venice and the peak of Mount Vesuvius. 13 readings

countryJapanEmbark on an exciting journey through Japan, an island nation where ancient traditions meet cutting-edge modern life. Discover how exploring Japanese geography, history, and culture can inspire young readers and build essential background knowledge. 21 readings

countryMexicoWelcome to Mexico, a vibrant country rich in history, diverse ecosystems, and ancient wonders. Explore reading passages that transport students from bustling cities to ancient Maya ruins and coastal reserves, fostering a deep love for global learning. 17 readings

Showing 12 of 20

Explore mapped places

Browse cities, landmarks, and natural features from every level of the geographic hierarchy.

Asia

city

5 readings

Tokyo

Tokyo is Japan's bustling capital where ultra-modern skyscrapers stand alongside historic shrines. Kids can explore high-tech innovation, peaceful gardens, and vibrant neighborhoods filled with cultural discoveries.

Explore all readings

Europe

city

5 readings

London

London is a bustling historic capital where old meets new. From ancient Roman walls to the iconic London Eye, this city on the River Thames offers endless adventures in history, science, and literature!

Explore all readings

North America

city

7 readings

New York City

Welcome to New York City, a bustling metropolis spread across five unique boroughs! From soaring skyscrapers to historical harbors, this iconic city is a treasure trove of culture, art, and American history waiting to be explored.

Explore all readings

Geography becomes a reason to read

A familiar city, a future travel dream, or a landmark from history can make reading feel immediate. PicoBuddy’s map connects that curiosity to level-appropriate passages, comprehension questions, quizzes, and printable practice. Teachers can anchor a lesson in a real place, while children can follow their interests across the world.

World reading map FAQ

What can children discover on the world reading map?

Every published pin opens one or more PicoBuddy reading passages about that real place, with grade-level text, questions, a quiz, and printable practice.

Can teachers filter the map by reading level?

Yes. Use the grade-band and text-type filters to narrow the mapped readings while keeping place-based discovery at the center.

Where does the map information come from?

PicoBuddy curates the educational places and passages. The interactive base map uses OpenFreeMap with map data from OpenStreetMap.

Do children need an account to explore the map?

No. Anyone can browse published places and open the public reading passages connected to them.