At our globe shop, we often talk about how globes inspire curiosity. But books like The Girl Who Raced the World give that curiosity direction.
Reading the book might lead to questions like:
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“Where exactly is Egypt?”
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“How long would that journey take today?”
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“What countries did she pass through?”
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“Could I travel the world one day?”
And instead of reaching for a screen, imagine a child reaching for a globe. Spinning it. Exploring it. Asking more questions.
That’s the magic.
Travel Before Planes, Wi-Fi, and Google Maps
One of the most mind-blowing parts of Nellie’s journey is remembering when it happened. No aeroplanes. No smartphones. No live tracking. She relied on steamships, trains, and sheer nerve.
Following her route on a globe helps children understand scale and distance in a way that’s hard to grasp otherwise. The world feels bigger — and her achievement feels even more impressive.
It also opens up brilliant conversations about:
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How travel has changed
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How news travelled in the 19th century
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The difference between imagination and reality
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Why exploration still matters
Inspiring the Next Generation of Explorers
You don’t have to want to be a journalist or world traveller to be inspired by Nellie Bly. Her story is about bold ideas and chasing them.
Pairing The Girl Who Raced the World with a globe does something powerful: it plants the idea that the world is open. That it’s meant to be explored. That big dreams can take you across oceans.
And who knows? Today it’s tracing Nellie’s route with a fingertip. Tomorrow it might be planning their own.
A Simple Way to Make Learning Come Alive
If you’re buying a globe for a child’s bedroom, classroom, or family space, consider adding this book to the mix. Together, they create an experience:
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Storytelling
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Geography
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History
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Imagination
All spinning together.
Because sometimes all it takes to spark a lifelong love of the world… is one brave girl, one daring journey, and one globe waiting to be turned.
