Synopsis
Want to speak Hittite? Hold out a glass and ask for “wa-tar.” This unique activity book for children ages nine and up shows what life was like among the Nubians, Mesopotamians, Hittites, and their neighbors the Egyptians from around 3100 B.C., when Upper and Lower Egypt became one kingdom, to the death of Queen Cleopatra under the Romans, in 30 B.C. Projects such as building a Nubian irrigation machine, creating a Mesopotamian cylinder seal out of clay, making kilts like those worn by Egyptian boys and men, and writing in Hittite cuneiform help young readers to connect with these ancient cultures and see how profoundly they have influenced our own.
Reviews
Grade 4-8-The well-written text, adequate illustrations and reproductions, and manageable projects are reason enough to purchase this title. However, the truly unusual aspect of the book is that it includes the Mesopotamians, Nubians, and Hittites-generally not covered in books on Egypt. Broida provides a broad overview of the ancient Near East that allows readers to compare the different societies. Each chapter focuses on a different civilization and gives brief information on and activities related to its history, geography, architecture, clothing, writing, work, food, and religious beliefs. There are instructions for making models, costumes, and jewelry as well as recipes and writing and math activities. An outstanding time line that compares all four groups provides a visual understanding of the relationships and differences among the cultures. Finally, the far-reaching bibliography is excellent. It is rare to find this much information packed into a single volume.
Betsy Barnett, Eads School District, CO
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
The ancient cultures and civilizations of the Egyptians, Nubians, Hittites, and Mesopotamians are vividly brought to life in this excellent resource book. The fascinating history of these peoples is presented in a lively text, interspersed with instructions for approximately 40 projects about the clothing, architecture, writing, food, and other cultural aspects of the times. Easily obtained materials such as pillowcases, clay, styrofoam, and paper-towel tubes are used, and instructions are presented for making such things as Hittite shoes, a Nubian tomb, Egyptian sailboats, a Mesopotamian queen's headdress, and an Assyrian feast. Other activities include doing math, Sumerian style; reading Egyptian hieroglphs; and playing games that illustrate travel of the times. The book will add excitement to ancient history units. Helen Rosenberg
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