Speaking of maps...
Christoph Niemann's sons give helpful directions to a stranger.
Here is a delightfully illustrated story in the New York Times about two little boys and their love for the MTA. An excellent example of using symbols as visual language, the perfect mix between pictures and words. You can see more of Niemann's work at his website, www.christophniemann.com. (Ooh! Ooh! Turns out he did one of my favorite New Yorker covers, which you can see here. Scroll down to the lady with the pikachu kimono.)