The Egyptians

Children's Literature - Beverley Fahey

This entry in the "All About Ancient Peoples" series offers nothing new or substantial to the plethora of material available to students about ancient Egypt. For the visual learner who prefers less text, the short entries, sidebars, and photos will make the subject approachable, but too much is sacrificed for the sake of brevity. There is a time line for the various kingdoms along with information relating to religion, social structure, the importance of the Nile in farming, and burial customs, offering only a cursory nod at the process of mummification. Interesting facts such as the important role of women and the 365-day calendar used by the ancient Egyptians leave the reader wanting to know more as with the one or two sentences allowed for Cleopatra and King Tut. Because most of this information can be found elsewhere and in more depth, at best this title could be considered supplemental. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey

Children's Literature - Rihoko Ueno

This book is a nice introduction to the life of the ancient Egyptians, and it is a nice choice for parents looking for a way to teach their children about history and different cultures. There is a lot to engage young readers, whether it is a section about mummies or pyramids, and parents will be pleased with the maps and facts about ancient Egypt. The illustrations on every page are vivid and attractive, and the text covers many topics. This is a book tool for sparking a child's interest in the past and appreciating the innovations and contributions of another culture. Although most of the book is devoted to the life of people in ancient Egypt, it also briefly summarizes the fall of the civilization at the end. This is a good overview of ancient Egypt and there is a glossary for new vocabulary. This book is part of the "Ancient Civilizations" series.