The Ancient Maya

School Library Journal

PreS—Four well-known rhymes are given the spotlight when published as stand-alone titles. Each easy-to-read book includes the traditional Mother Goose verse and simple illustrations featuring folks wearing old-fashioned costumes complete with bonnets and pinafores. The characters, whether animal or human, are expressive and full of personality. Plenty of white space is left on each page for the large-sized text. The result is a series of books with plenty of child appeal, perfect for reading with a group or sharing one-on-one.—Wendy Woodfill, Hennepin County Library, Minnetonka, MN

Children's Literature - Danielle Williams

The ancient Maya rank high among the truly fascinating ancient cultures. They excelled at the creation of writing and art, and their contributions to math and science rival most other ancient cultures. Despite their advances, the Maya were no match for the Spanish—or the diseases they brought with them. Yet even before the Spanish arrived in Central America, the Mayan city-states were facing hardships that resulted in the decline of their wealth and power. Mayan culture and tradition are still an integral part of Mesoamerica today. The descendants of the powerful Maya still using the same methods of farming as their ancestors, and the traditions of the people in Mesoamerica are replete with ancient Mayan customs. Maloy offers an intriguing glimpse into the lives of the ancient Mayan civilization. The illustrations and brief asides peppered throughout the text offer greater depth and provide an even more intriguing glimpse into this fascinating culture. Reviewer: Danielle Williams