Pyramids and Mummies- Genre 4

Bibliography

Simon, Seymour. 2003. Pyramids and Mummies. New York: Sea Star Books. ISBN 1-58717-240-2.

Plot Summary

Egyptians built pyramids over 5,000 years ago. These are the oldest buildings on earth today. They were built as a tomb for their pharaoh. They were built on a square base with sloping sides in the shape of a triangle. The Egyptians thought they were building a stairway to the sun on the journey into the next world. All of the pharaohs gold and treasures were buried in the pyramid with the pharaoh for the next world. Only the tomb of King Tut still had the valuables intact. All of the other pyramids were robbed. A statue of a Sphinx stood outside the pyramid. The Sphinx has a body of a lion and the head of a pharaoh. It was believed to guard the pyramid. The Aztec and Mayan peoples of Mexico and Central America built pyramids as temples for worship.

The Egyptians believed they had to preserve the pharaohs body for the next world. It took 70 days to prepare a body for burial. The organs had to be removed in a process called embalming. They were placed in special jars. Only the heart was left in the body. The body was covered in salt for 40 days and then rubbed with oils and spices. The inside was stuffed with salt and a hot wax poured over the body. It was then wrapped in linen and placed in a coffin called a sarcophagus.

It is still a mystery how these huge blocks were moved to build these pyramids.

Critical Analysis

This book did not include too much information. It was interesting to read and it never talked down to the reader. Unfamiliar words had pronunciations in parentheses next to it. There are no subheadings, index, or table of contents in this book. It reads like a story. The text is set right on top of pictures or along side of them. The book has many details on how the pyramids were built and the pharaohs were preserved. There were real photos that added information to the text. They are very appealing. There were also aerial views to show the real size of a pyramid. Everyone would be amazed at the real photos of a mummy. It is surprising how preserved they are after so many years. There are real color photos of Egyptian, and Aztec pyramids too. The author also includes color photos of new pyramid shaped buildings being built in modern times.

Review Excerpt(s)

Children's Literature (Sharon Oliver): "In this independent reader, author Seymour Simon presents basic yet fascinating information on Ancient Egypt for young readers".

Horn Book (2005): "An interesting, well-researched text is supported by appealing color photos".

Connections

-Read other books about pyramids, mummies, and Egypt. Make a powerpoint about what they have learned.
Other books may include:
Picture a Country: Egypt by Henry Pluckrose
Ms. Frizzles's Adventure: Ancient Egypt by Aliki
Look What Came From Egypt by Miles Harvey
If I were a Kid in Ancient Egypt: Children of the Ancient World by Cobblestone Publishers

-Make a burial mask
-Create a sphinx out of floral oasis using plastic knives
-Build a pyramid out of sugar cubes
-Learn the mummification process by mummifying an apple.