Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Non-fiction, history, graphic novel, Egypt, humour.
Children’s book title: Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt.
Children’s author: Stephen Davies
Children’s illustrator: Núria Tamarit
Genre: Non-fiction graphic novel.
Published by: Big Picture Press.
ISBN: 9781835870068.
Recommended for children aged: 7-9 year-olds.
First published: Paperback January 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: History fans.
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Our review:
Some of the oldest and most exciting stories ever told – fantastical tales of gods, goddesses, magic, monsters and pharaohs.
Ancient history is not always the most engaging of subjects for young readers, often perceived as lacking relevance to the modern world. To capture their audience’s attention, children’s authors and illustrators must bring the subject to life and offer a fresh perspective beyond the traditional details of battles and long-dead figures.
Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt achieves this remarkably well. Its graphic novel format makes it highly accessible for both confident and struggling readers. The text is rich in intricate details of ancient life that readers will enjoy, while never overwhelming them with unnecessary information. A great deal of humour runs through the narrative, and the eye-catching layouts make for a thoroughly entertaining read.
The ancient Egyptian myths weren’t just stories told to entertain children. Before scientific explanations, the myths provided ways for people to understand the world around them.
As well as a wealth of background information on topics such as mummification (gloriously gruesome!), pharaohs, and hieroglyphs, the book includes key Egyptian myths, including:
- The Creation Story – how humans were created from the tears of the sun god Re
- Seth and Osiris – when King Osiris is killed by his jealous brother Seth, the grieving Queen Isis goes to extreme lengths to revive her husband
- Cleopatra – how the great Egyptian queen fought to save her country from Roman invaders, with the love of both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony
Readers already familiar with Ancient Egypt will find plenty more to discover in this compelling book, which is packed with fascinating and little-known facts. Those new to the subject will soon be hooked and eager to learn more.
Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt would make an excellent starting point for discussions on everyday aspects of Egyptian life. Topics covered include education, family traditions, and even household pets, as well as political scandals and technological developments that still have an impact today. The book is as much about the ordinary Egyptian people who told these myths as it is about the legendary figures they feature.
A companion book – Myths, Monsters and Mayhem in Ancient Greece – is also available.
Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt is a high-quality non-fiction text that will appeal to both existing history enthusiasts and those keen to learn more about the subject.
Many thanks to Big Picture Press for the review copy.
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