The Great Pyramid (Wonders of the World) - Hardcover

Mann, Elizabeth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0965049310 ISBN 13: 9780965049313

Publisher: Mikaya Pr, 1996

Synopsis

Nearly 50 stories high, The Great Pyramid was built more than 4,500 years ago, made from over 2,300,00 giant stone blocks and constructed by primitive farmers. Some believe aliens from outer space created it, but the true story of the Great Pyramid is even more fascinating than the speculation.

A nation of farmers living on the green edge of a harsh desert had a king who was a god in life and death. Tens of thousands of farmers left their homes each year to chisel hard stone without iron tools and move 10-ton blocks up steep grades without the use of a wheel.

Elizabeth Mann captures the marvel that is The Great Pyramid and the people that built it. She tells the story of a world that is strange, distant and yet poignantly human. In the process, The Great Pyramid and the Old Kingdom become more than dusty remnants of an ancient civilization; they come alive.

Laura Lo Turco's shimmering paintings are a perfect visual complement to the text, combining reality with a sense of awe and mystery. Photographs of haunting 4,500-year old walls and statues let Ancient Egypt remind the young reader that these people were indeed real.

Wonders of the World series

The winner of numerous awards, this series is renowned for Elizabeth Mann's ability to convey adventure and excitement while revealing technical information in engaging and easily understood language. The illustrations are lavishly realistic and accurate in detail but do not ignore the human element. Outstanding in the genre, these books are sure to bring even the most indifferent young reader into the worlds of history, geography, and architecture.

"One of the ten best non-fiction series for young readers."
- Booklist

About this title

Review:

The author excels at helping children understand unfamiliar ideas, adeptly shows the evolution of Egyptian burial customs and beliefs, and presents new facts based on the latest research.--Curriculum Administrator (01/01/2010)

Finalist, Children's Books of Distinction--Hungry Mind Review (01/01/2010)

Mann does a wonderful job of entertaining young readers with fascinating stories of the history and evolution of the pyramids.... She adds little details that make the faceless people who built the pyramids suddenly take on personalities.... The text is enhanced by rich, detailed paintings and maps that bring the reader to Egypt and are mini-treasure troves of information all by themselves. Artist Laura Lo Turco has combined artistic ability with an eye for detail, further bringing the people who banded together to create the most magnificent tomb ever erected to vibrant life.-- (01/01/2010)

[Starred review: ] Eye-catching... beautifully designed.-- (01/01/2010)

Mann conveys the story as adventure without ever resorting to melodrama and explores the history and architecture... in highly readable form.-- (01/01/2010)

About the Author:

Elizabeth Mann has written nine Wonders of the World books, an award-winning series. She is former teacher in New York, holds an M.S.E. and is cofounder of Mikaya Press.

Laura Lo Turco works from her studio in Brooklyn, New York. The Great Pyramid was her third book.

About this edition

• Publisher: Mikaya Pr
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0965049310
• ISBN 13: 9780965049313
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Turco Laura Lo, Loturco Laura