Old legends, and mythology, were the kinds of story-telling that entertained and mystified people of long ago. I've collected several fiction and picture books that surround stories of Egypt, Greece and even Nordic origins that will surely captivate your family. The first six are picture books, but all of these books are great for ages 9 through adult.
Let's begin with Egypt and the stories that seem to be continually perpetuated with kids of all ages. Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht, by Richard Platt, and illustrated by David Parkins, is an over-sized picture book about nine-year-old Nakht who has just moved to Memphis in Egypt and the year is 1500 B. C. The story is filled with visuals and text about Egyptian customs and the culture of the time. This book will surely give the reader the sense of growing up in a place from a time long ago.
Egypt: In Spectacular Cross-Section, illustrated by Stephen Biesty, and written by Stewart Ross, is an incredible look inside a civilization during the height of the Ramses Empire dating back to 1230 B. C. No one pays more attention to detail that this amazing illustrator. If you haven't checked out any of his other cross-section books, like “Castles” and “Human Body” , you're missing out!
Pyramids and Mummies, by Anne Bolton, is in the shape of a pyramid with a golden hue encased completely around the cover and emboldened with hieroglyphics. The subject matter is all about the purpose of pyramids and the encasing of mummies. Many of the pages have envelopes to open, pockets to explore, and smaller booklets to unfold. This book is truly captivating and enlightening!
Don't Know Much About Mummies, by Kenneth C. Davis, and illustrated by S. D. Schindler, highlights the significance and purpose of mummies as well as some interesting anecdotes about famous mummies. Mr. Davis does what he always does best and that is writing about subjects that we all wonder about and on the level that kids will enjoy and easily understand. Other books of his include “Don't Know Much about History” and “Don't Know Much About Dinosaurs”.
Ghosts of the Nile, by Cheryl Harness, is one picture book that is filled with excitement, adventure and information about life in these ancient times. Zachary does not want to visit a boring museum and learn about Egypt . But when both he and his great-aunt go through a “DO NOT ENTER” doorway, they suddenly find themselves back in time during the life of pharaohs and pyramids. Each page is packed with factual information including a timeline located at the bottom of each page.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Fun With Hieroglyphs, by Catharine Roehrig, has a stamp pad and 24 rubber stamps of Egyptian hieroglyphics, along with a booklet filled with the history and interesting information about these symbols.
Myths and Legends, by Anthony Horowitz, is a collection of 35 stories, some well known and some less known. The collection includes Egyptian, Greek, Chinese and Inca. This well-known author has included his humorous flair for updating the material making it fun for kids to read.
The next four books center on Greek Mythology. Medusa Jones, by Ross Collins, is a fun spin off of Medusa, but a more up-dated romp with a young Medusa who is tormented by her peers because of her “snake” hair. This story is a quick read with much to learn as she deals with kids who bully her.
Pandora Gets Vain and Pandora Gets Jealous, by Carolyn Hennessy, are both stories based on the proverbial “Pandora's Box” but they take off on storylines that help her with her friends and in dealing with the evil that lurks everywhere. This up-dated version will especially be a hit with young girls.
The Battle of the Labryinth, by Rick Riordan, is his 4th book in “The Olympian Series”. This series is one of my favorites and is riveting and exciting from the very first page to the last. You don't need to have read the other 3 to enjoy this book, but once you read this book you will surely want to read the rest!
Terry Deary has a series of books that are part of “The Fire Thief” trilogy. I've only read the last book, The Fire Thief Fights Back, but found that it's not necessary to have read the others to enjoy and understand this book. It deals with Prometheus and how he stole fire from the gods and what happens when he travels through time.
Mines of the Minotaur, by Julia Golding, is another book that's part of a series but I also found it's not necessary to have read the others to understand this book. This book deals with powers that are unleashed upon a girl who controls the weather – but doesn't realize what she's done or why.
The last book is based on a Norse legend. Thor's Wedding Day, by Bruce Coville, retells this favorite story from Norway by one of my favorite kid's authors. Thor has lost his magic hammer and now he must find it before it's too late. This is a delightful and funny read!
