A Slice Through a City

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8This introduction to archaeology presents cutaway views of a generic European city from the Stone Age to the present century. References are made to Roman occupation and Stonehenge-like structures and most of the drawings refer loosely to London or other English sites. The pictures are reminiscent of both Piero Ventura's small people and Martin Handford's Waldo, including the descendants of a red-headed family that surface in every picture. There is a wealth of information here, most of it in visual form supported by brief explanatory text, but neither medium is completely clear without the other. The Stone Age flint mine and middens appear in the slice throughout the centuries, and changes in architecture, lifestyle, transportation, and hygiene are obvious but not thoroughly demonstrated. Eleven two-page spreads, even on oversized paper, can only offer browsers a brief overview of so many centuries. This "slice of life" may be helpful to students of history when used in conjunction with other texts, and youngsters will enjoy poring over the pictures. An additional purchase.Dorcas Hand, Annunciation Orthodox School, Houston