Highly dubious – not only does this book feature some invented country called Palestine – I know all countries are somewhat invented, but all the same – but it declares Cyprus to be "part of Asia but some of their territory lies in Europe". It then says the "Tibet Autonomous Region" "can make its own laws". When budgets are tight, books that make such errors and dubious claims really can be easily ignored.

Asia is so vast and has so much to offer that it was amazing to put this together so well. I loved the bright color illustrations, and I enjoyed what they chose to show and tell us about. This book accomplishes the goal of providing an introduction to Asia but leaving you wanting to know more. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me review this book. This was a fun and informative read. The drawings were great as well. This would be a great read for those kids interesting in Asian cultures.

A great “explain it like I’m 5” primer that more people beyond the age of 5 could appreciate. It’s more thorough, interesting, and engaging than anything I learned in school, that’s for sure.

In a Nutshell: An informative children’s nonfiction book focussing on the largest continent, the countries comprising it, and the richness of this region. Excellent presentation, comprehensive coverage, great illustrations. Much recommended.

Asia, with the second highest number of countries in the world, the largest land mass (one-third of the entire planet’s land), and two-thirds of the world’s population (over 4.7 billion people), cannot be ignored on the global scale. Its glorious past has been somewhat affected thanks to all the colonial invasions and internal wars, but the present Asia has many tigers that roar with the right spirit. It also has a rich heritage in terms of nature as well as culture. The future of the world is fairly dependent on Asian countries (and their good and bad behaviour.)
The book begins with an introduction to the continent, its countries, and a list of fascinating facts for each Asian country. (I was a bit disappointed to see that India’s “fascinating fact” was that we are the most populous country in the world. Not fascinating at all – it’s commonplace knowledge and quite disappointing! I wish the book had mentioned something more offbeat and relatively unknown such as our having the largest postal network in the world or that we are the world’s largest producer of spices or that we have 22 official languages or that chess and snakes and ladders originated in India… So many fascinating trivia to choose from, but stuck again with the largest-population tag! All the other countries got such wonderful snippets. 😢)
This vast continent is then split across the five geographic divisions: East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, North and Central Asia, and West Asia. Of course, just because the continent is segregated this way doesn’t mean that the nations within a group are similar to each other. They might have certain things in common, but on the whole, each country in Asia is has a distinct identity of its own, and the book brings this fact out well.
For each of these five regions, we get information about its history (kingdoms and civilizations), people and cultures, landscapes and wildlife, spectacular sights, famous changemakers, and future trends. Once all the regions are covered, there is a special section called ‘Global Asia’, which focusses on immigrant Asians across the world, and their contributions to their new homelands. I like how there is a properly illustrated map for every region so that picturing it on the globe is quite easy.
The final section mentions ten ways in which Asia has influenced the world. The book ends with a helpful glossary and a detailed alphabetical index of contents.
The scope of this book is itself a huge reason to pick it up. Within a single book, we get information about various countries and subject areas. The depth might be missing, but the width is detailed enough to encourage further research. To keep today’s youngsters hooked, the book also has several mentions of modern Asian content that is making waves globally, such as manga, K-pop, martial arts, yoga, and a lot more.
I learnt plenty of fascinating names and facts, especially about the Asian countries beyond South Asia. There were so many times when I stopped reading to google more about a particular place/custom/music. (Favourite new discovery? Lake Kaindy of Kazakhstan! I’d love to see it some day!)
The book isn’t purely laudatory. There is an intelligent handling of sensitive topics such as the two major ongoing wars (Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine), colonial rule and its repercussions, disputed territories such as Taiwan and Tibet, and even genocides and public protests against despotic governments.
The illustrations are excellent. Though I prefer photographs rather than sketches when it comes to nonfiction, I do understand the difficulty of legally sourcing photographs from so many diverse topics. The illustrations in this book have the tough task of matching up to real people/places/animals, and they handle this excellently. I loved how this beautiful and colourful continent springs to life in the graphics.
Overall, I am highly satisfied with the book. I wasn’t sure if a single book could justice to this extensive potpourri of cultures that Asia is, but it does a commendable job.
Much recommended. It will serve well as a learning aide for Asian geography/social science/history in classrooms. Trivia-loving kids will also enjoy the splendid range of fun facts herein. The content ought to be a good fit for older middle-graders and teens.
4.25 stars.
My thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for providing the DRC of “Amazing Asia: An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thank you NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this eCopy to review

From the moment I opened "Amazing Asia," I was immediately drawn into the vibrant and diverse world of the largest continent on Earth.

Sirdeshpande has crafted a beautifully illustrated and fact-filled encyclopaedia that celebrates Asia in all its splendour. The book is divided into sections covering East, West, North, Central, South, and South East Asia, each with its own highly illustrated regional map and fascinating facts.

The content spans from the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation to contemporary cultural references, making it a comprehensive and engaging read.

Jason Lyon's stunning illustrations, with their clever colour gradients and characterful drawings, bring the pages to life.

The book strikes a perfect balance between historical information and modern-day insights, making it an excellent resource for both children and adults.

"Amazing Asia" is a must-have for anyone looking to explore the rich tapestry of Asian culture, history, and geography.

Gorgeous, ambitious, meticulous and mind-boggling, this is my favourite sort of children's non-fiction! It covers an incredibly diverse continent in a simple yet rich and engaging way. And with its warm illustrations, I'm sure the hard copy will be even more breathtaking. Perfect for kids – and adults – who enjoy discovering cool facts about places, cultures and people across the world!

Amazing Asia An Encyclopedia Of An Epic Continent, written by Rashmi Sirdeshpande and illustrated by Jason Lyon, is a brilliant encyclopedia featuring information about the people, culture, history, wildlife, landscapes, sights and famous people of each region of Asia. The in-depth and accessible information within this book, along with the stunning illustrations, make for a brilliant addition to any bookshelf. Books about Asia are very rare, so this book is a must read for children and adults alike! I would recommend this book to all key stage two and three classrooms.

Can't wait for my preordered print copy to arrive! The grands will have to wait til January for me to share it with them. I loved all the visuals (but my eyesight sabotaged my reading of the smaller print information in E format), complete with maps, famous persons, all sorts of costumes, and more. Fantastic!
The illustrations by Jason Lyon are extravagant, complex, and brilliantly colorful.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of ANY age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Quarto Publishing Group/Wide Eyed Editions via NetGalley. Thank you!
@QuartoKids @CBCBook @wideeyeded #EasternCultures @@RashmiWriting #MapsAndMore @TheQuartoGroup #AllAges @QuartoKids @jasonlyon_

I have always been interested in Asia and this interest only grew as I became able to explore some of its countries, this book showed the continent's rich history in a beautiful way.

"Amazing Asia" is a delightful and concise guide to the diverse history, cultures, and people of the Asian continent. Author Rashmi Sirdeshpande offers a brief yet engaging overview of this vast and complex region, making it accessible for readers of all ages.

Through colorful illustrations and easy-to-read text, Sirdeshpande introduces readers to the major historical events, religions, cuisines, and traditions that shape the diverse nations of Asia. The book's approachable style makes it an excellent resource for younger readers or anyone seeking a quick and enjoyable introduction to the region.

One of the most appealing aspects of "Amazing Asia" is its celebration of the richness and diversity of Asian cultures. Sirdeshpande encourages readers to explore the unique customs and practices that make each country special while emphasizing the importance of understanding and appreciating our differences.

Overall, "Amazing Asia" is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in learning more about the history, culture, and people of this vibrant continent. This concise guide is a perfect starting point for readers of all ages who are eager to broaden their knowledge and appreciate the diverse tapestry of Asian cultures.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for my copy of Amazing Asia An Encyclopedia of an Epic Continent by Rashmi Sirdeshpande in exchange for an honest review. It publishes October 1, 2024.
Wow! As a homeschooling mom, this book in such an amazing resource! The illustrations are so beautiful, and it's chock full of great information, but not too much information to overwhelm a child. I highly recommend this one!

Do you know a child who might like to know more about the many countries that make up Asia? Would they like books with maps, photos and a nice layout? Are they interested in history, people, culture, food, wildlife, sights, the past and future of this continent? And, this book has even more.

If they (or you) can answer yes to some (or all) of the above, this book is an excellent resource. It is organized by geographic areas, for example, South Asia or West Asia, etc. and packed with information.

This book would make a fantastic addition to a home or school library.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group for this title. All opinions are my own.

The books seems to have a rather obvious political agenda. I really am a bit lost for words on this one.

This is very informative and aesthetically pleasing. It has a nice warm format and feels almost like it takes you on a journey. It is both kid and adult friendly and I feel like I learned a lot

Best read in print (I cannot wait), this is a child-friendly, appropriate and rich non-fiction book on Asia.
It is also a great resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the continent. The content is rich and engagingly presented.
The colour schemes are all warm, which I found a bit tiring. Though the art style is beautiful and I am sure this will be a more magical experience when we read the print book. I often read Quarto books knowing when I get the print copies, I will be mesmerised more. And this book is no exception. A good addition to school libraries.