Egypt

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-An attractive overview that weaves together descriptions of the geography, history, and daily life in Egypt. The title page places the country in its global context by showing it in yellow against a green world map. Each chapter consists of a two-page spread with two-to-four lines of text and a full-color photograph on each page. The first section begins with a simple, close-up map of the country's terrain, its capital, and the pyramids. It is not as colorful or as detailed as the one in Helen Arnold's Postcards from Egypt (RSV, 1996). The narrative is simple and straightforward and uses clear comparisons to clarify the concepts, e.g., "Cairo is the capital... [and] is about the size of New York City." The antiquity of the culture is effectively communicated while other chapters focus on modern life. Pronunciation is provided for foreign words in the text and a short list of Arabic words and their meanings is appended. The traditions of the people come alive in the full-color photographs depicting activities such as dancing at a wedding and buying and selling at the souk, the outdoor market. A half-page "Fact File" summarizes information. A clear introduction for beginning readers.-Frances E. Millhouser, Chantilly Regional Library, VA