Croco'Nile - Hardcover

Gerrard, Roy

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374316597 ISBN 13: 9780374316594

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1994

Synopsis

Ten secret hieroglyphic messages are hidden throughout the story of Hamut's and Nekatur's adventures in ancient Egypt, and readers who send in correct translations for all ten receive a free Roy Gerrard paperback in honor of National Children's Book Week.

About this title

About the Author:

Roy Gerrard (1935-97) wrote and illustrated many books for children, including Wagons West! and Rosie and the Rustlers.

From Booklist:

Ages 5-8. Gerrard, author-illustrator of The Favershams, Sir Cedric, and Mik's Mammoth, presents a picture book set in ancient Egypt. Young Hamut and Nekatu live along the Nile, where they find a baby crocodile, befriend it, and raise it to full size. The duo leave home, and Hamut soon becomes a talented sculptor, and Nekatu paints exceptional wall paintings. When the king becomes their patron, the children become famous, but their fame attracts kidnappers, who hope to sell them into slavery. "But once again Fate intervened / Because the floods arrived / And sank the scoundrels' vessel. / But the lucky pair survived." The story rambles along in a string of rhymed couplets as the children return home for a happy ending, having been saved by their crocodile. Much better than the text are the excellent watercolor illustrations depicting scenes of ancient Egypt in a style that is recognizably Gerrard's, though inspired by art of the period. Far from looking derivative, this detailed, decorative style is pleasing and original. Within the illustrations are 10 hieroglyphic messages, with a key provided on the jacket flap. An entertaining addition to any elementary unit on ancient Egypt. Carolyn Phelan

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0374316597
• ISBN 13: 9780374316594
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32