“If you cry easily and enjoy causing a scene, you might like being a [hired] mourner.” Or perhaps a Charioteer—“If you like excitement and can drive a chariot.” From Tattoo Artist to Pharaoh him (or her) self, Butcher suggests a plethora of career possibilities (not actually options, since most jobs were inherited) for ancient Egyptians. Arranging occupations in general types (“Temple Jobs,” “Personal Appearance Jobs”), the author briefly describes required skills, tools and hazards for each, along with bits of historical background for context. Newbigging echoes the lighthearted tone with lots of dark-skinned, bulb-nosed cartoon figures demonstrating each occupation and adds a handy map and timeline. A few minor flubs aside (no, the Mayan pyramids aren’t as old as the Egyptian ones), this joins its series mates Archers, Alchemists and 98 Other Medieval Jobs (2003) and the rest in presenting an unusual, cross-sectional view of a commonly studied historical society. The annotated list of recommended further reading, though far from exhaustive, includes both fiction and nonfiction choices. (index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)
Pub Date: June 1, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-55451-171-6
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Annick Press
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2009
The author of Cod’s Tale (2001) again demonstrates a dab hand at recasting his adult work for a younger audience. Here the topic is salt, “the only rock eaten by human beings,” and, as he engrossingly demonstrates, “the object of wars and revolutions” throughout recorded history and before. Between his opening disquisition on its chemical composition and a closing timeline, he explores salt’s sources and methods of extraction, its worldwide economic influences from prehistoric domestication of animals to Gandhi’s Salt March, its many uses as a preservative and industrial product, its culinary and even, as the source for words like “salary” and “salad,” its linguistic history. Along with lucid maps and diagrams, Schindler supplies detailed, sometimes fanciful scenes to go along, finishing with a view of young folk chowing down on orders of French fries as ghostly figures from history look on. Some of Kurlansky’s claims are exaggerated (the Erie and other canals were built to transport more than just salt, for instance), and there are no leads to further resources, but this salutary (in more ways than one) micro-history will have young readers lifting their shakers in tribute. (Picture book/nonfiction. 8-10)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2006
ISBN: 0-399-23998-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Putnam
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2006
This unusual book offers a surprising amount of information, organized and presented in an appealing way for...
Why do people choose to live where they do in our world?
Vermond’s introduction to that big question points out that humans adapt: They use their big brains and work together to make places livable. A comfortable climate, readily available food and water, power for heat, light, transportation and communication, people who speak the same language, nearby families and plentiful jobs are just some of the things people are looking for. From the “Planet Perfect” to making your hometown one of “The Happiest Places on Earth,” the author considers human needs, briefly surveys the development of cities, explains what urban planners do, considers the reasons for living in a dangerous place as well as the reasons for moving, and touches on the effects of climate change and the possibility of living elsewhere in the universe. Each spread covers a separate topic. The extensive, conversational text is often set in columns and broken down into short segments, each with a heading, moving along quickly. A lively design and humorous illustrations add appeal. Unfortunately, there are no sources or suggestions for further reading.
This unusual book offers a surprising amount of information, organized and presented in an appealing way for upper-elementary students. (glossary, index) (Nonfiction. 8-11)Pub Date: Sept. 15, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-77147-011-7
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Review Posted Online: Aug. 12, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 2014
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