I often begin with the question “How do we captivate them?” But for this topic, I smile and wonder, what tales of this ancient land would not interest and enthrall your children? Here are ten titles to lure them into this exciting time and ease your foray into Ancient History.
1. Ancient Egypt
By Daniel Cohen
ISBN: 0385245866
This wonderful resource could serve as the primary text for a unit study on Egypt. A timeline is provided for readers on the inside covers, and large, bright illustrations accompany each page’s explanation of a key event, character, or tradition in this ancient land. Each passage could serve as a introduction of any of the following, more specialized titles.
2. Mummies Made in Egypt
By Aliki
ISBN: 0064460118
What study of Egypt would be complete without an examination of mummification? This easy-to-read book provides a summary of how a mummy was created. The pictures are simple and accompanied with diagrams while the text is short enough for even little ears to stay attuned. If your children are fascinated by this topic, you might also pair this book with You Wouldn’t Want to be an Egyptian Mummy. And be prepared – after reading Aliki’s book, my children performed mummification skits every day for a week!
3. Pyramid
By David Macauley
ISBN: 0395321212
Macauley does it again in this magnificent tribute to these architectural and engineering wonders. His precise and detailed drawings will delight children and adults. Even my three year old son was interested in the math behind these magnificent monuments.
4. Croco’nile
By Roy Gerrard
ISBN: 0374316597
My children LOVED this book, which features the charming story a brother and sister artistic team who befriend a crocodile and share adventures in ancient Egypt. The rhyming verse delights younger ears, while the older ones are fascinated to detect and translate the secret hieroglyphic messages on each page.
If you’re looking for other great picture books set in Ancient Egypt, your little ones may enjoy Tomie de Paola’s Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile, where young crocodiles study the geography of the Nile valley in school. Another wonderful read is The Temple Cat by Andrew Clements, which depicts the happenings of an Egyptian temple through the eye of one of its resident cats, who is worshipped as a god.
5. Egypt Magnified
By David Long and Harold Bloom
ISBN: 1786030977
This is a recently published illustrated book I am excited to use the next time we cycle through Ancient Egypt. Detailed pictures of Egyptian daily life and history fill each page, as children are encouraged to focus on the details and find several hidden items in each scene. A small magnifying glass is even provided to help them along in their quest.
6. Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs
By Marcia Williams
ISBN: 0763663158
This is an easy, fun introduction to these lesser known gods and goddesses. In her typical comic-strip style, Williams presents the main figures and stories of Egyptian mythology for younger students. If you want an additional resource to help keep all the divinities distinct in your mind, you may want to invest in the book Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses for quick reference as well.
7. Into the Mummy’s Tomb & The Secrets of Tutankhamen
By Nicholas Reeves / Patricia Cleveland-Park
ISBN: 0590457535 / 168119712X
This selection contains an in-depth explanation and photographs of the excavation of Tutankhamun’s tomb. The images are amazing, and sure to peak anyone’s interest. A wonderful companion to this book is the recently published The Secrets of Tutankhamen which includes a short description of King Tut’s life with illustrations as well as the discovery and excavation of his tomb. The pictures are engaging, and there is just enough information for children without becoming overwhelming. An easy reader, Tut’s Mummy: Lost…and Found also features this exciting expedition.
8. Tales of Ancient Egypt
By Roger Lancelyn Green
ISBN: 014133259X
Here you’ll find all the stories of the Egyptian gods and goddesses. Whereas Marcia William’s picture book is directed towards younger students, this softcover editions provides the full stories for middle school and high school students. It could also serve as a wonderful read-aloud for those families who want to foray beyond a mere introduction of these colorful figures and tales.
9. Mara, Daughter of the Nile & The Golden Goblet
By Eloise Jarvis McGraw
ISBN: 0140319298 / 0140303359
If you are looking for an adventurous novel set in ancient Egypt, McGraw should be your go-to author. Several of my students have declared that Mara was one of their favorite reads of ancient history. If your student is slightly younger, the mystery contained within The Golden Goblet may better hook their interest.
10. The Cat of Bubastes
By. G.A. Henty
ISBN: 0486423638
So what is all the hoopla about cats in Egypt? They were considered to be sacred animals – a fact that will please all current cat lovers. This novel also features the adventures and friendship of a wealthy Egyptian boy and a slave boy, drawing readers along their trail, as well as the geography and customs of this ancient land.
If you are looking for a more factual read on ancient Egypt, you will also want to examine Elizabeth Payne’s Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, which explores the ancient history of Egypt with a little less drama – comparatively, as so much about this ancient lands seems full of sensational mystery and enthralling traditions.
