Voices of Ancient Egypt - Softcover

Winters, Kay

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1426304005 ISBN 13: 9781426304002

Publisher: National Geographic Kids, 2009

Synopsis

Beautiful full-color illustrations and poems tell the stories of different occupations in ancient Egypt, from the farmer to the pyramid builder, from the goldsmith to the embalmer. Based on the latest historical research, Voices of Ancient Egypt conveys a dramatic sense of everyday life in this multicultural civilization.

About this title

About the Author:

Kay Winters was captivated by Egypt during visits as a language arts consultant in the American International Schools in Cairo and Alexandria. This author of numerous children’s books now lives in Quakertown, PA.

Barry Moser is an award-winning artist, illustrator, book designer and publisher. His work graces the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the British Museum collections.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 4-6-This book presents the voices of 13 individuals in various Old Kingdom occupations, ranging from scribe to herdsman. Winters uses first-person, free-verse poems to describe the workers' duties and places in society. Her verse is rich with informative detail: "I am a washer of clothes./Brother to the crocodile,/I spend my days in water./I soak the clothes, beat them with a wooden stave,/then wrap them around a stick/to wring out the wet." The author gives voice to the birdnetter and marshman, whom other authors neglect or lump together under headings such as "Peasants." Women are represented in the occupations of farmer, dancer, and weaver. Moser provides visual context for the selections with delicately textured watercolors. Clothing, tools, and landscapes are imagined with such faithful attention to historical detail that readers will learn as much from the illustrations as from the text. The figures, rendered in warm brown hues, embody the grace and serene strength often associated with ancient Egyptian culture. Together, text and art lend dignity to each laborer's efforts, working from the assumption that stonecutters and sailors alike took pride in their contributions to Pharaoh's kingdom. A lovely browsing title, Voices also contains valuable information for students. The historical notes and bibliography will prove especially helpful for reports.
Eve Ortega, Cypress Library, CA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: National Geographic Kids
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1426304005
• ISBN 13: 9781426304002
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32