Gr 3—6—The highpoints of Egyptian mythology-creation, the divinity of Ra, the death of Osiris, and the vengeance of his son Horus-as well as the stories of four great pharaohs-are presented in this lighthearted picture book/graphic novel. Treachery, ambition, and betrayal may be the major themes when telling the stories of deities such as Seth and Isis and rulers like Thutmose and Cleopatra, but this book makes them all seem like fun. Williams utilizes a beautiful, sun-soaked palette of gold, turquoise, lapis, jade, and carnelian lifted right off a sarcophagus; the horizontal, two-dimensional composition seen on ancient papyrus and tomb walls; and a full complement of ancient Egyptian symbols and icons, ornaments and borders. However, these little gods and pharaohs are no stiff figures mired in the ancient past. Expressive postures, smiling faces, and playful interactions among them keep readers scouring the pages for every little joke. Illustration panels floating atop textured paper backgrounds give the book a down-to-earth, craft-project look. Compared to the beautiful but static imagery in books such as Demi's Tutankhamun (Marshall Cavendish, 2009), each figure in this book, from the great Ra to the tiniest mouse, fairly leaps off the page in order to grab readers' attention.—Paula Willey, Baltimore County Public Library, Towson, MD
A selection of Egyptian myths and stories (and even some history, though it's hard to distinguish) are retold in accessible, humorous text. Comic panels help contain the tales, with the illustrations applying a cartoon aesthetic to ancient Egyptian art styles. A running story line following a cat's adventures provides additional levity (but doesn't add much to the stories themselves).
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