Not the last word but a wide-angled survey nonetheless.
An introduction to the history and uses of spoken and written language.
In this encore to A History of Music for Children (2021), co-written by David Schweitzer, Richards again ties general comments and observations to a broadly inclusive cast of historical figures—discussing the invention of writing and its early use in recording stories, for instance, while introducing Akkadian poet Enheduanna, Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi, and the Brothers Grimm. But while she tackles topics ranging from alphabets and language families to sign languages, poetry, graffiti, advertising, and even emojis (with samples of a West African set designed by Ivorian O’Plérou and invented languages from Esperanto to Elvish), she barely touches on what “words” actually are or how they are constructed. She likewise has little or nothing to say about grammar, punctuation, or even semantics. Interspersed with photos of a clay tablet, a page from Anne Frank’s diary, and other well-chosen artifacts, Blake tucks in tiny images of herself and the author squiring readers through the chapters in company with dozens of racially and culturally diverse word users down the ages.
Not the last word but a wide-angled survey nonetheless. (timeline, glossary, sources, list of illustrations, answer key to questions posed throughout the book, resource lists, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)Pub Date: Dec. 6, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-500-65282-4
Page Count: 96
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: Sept. 13, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An introduction to ancient Egypt and the Pharaohs buried in the Valley of the Kings. The authors begin with how archaeologist Howard Carter found the tomb of King Tut, then move back 3,000 years to the time of Thutmosis I, who built the first tomb in the Valley of the Kings. Finally they describe the building of the tomb of a later Pharaoh, Ramses II. The backward-forward narration is not always easy to follow, and the authors attribute emotions to the Pharaohs without citation. For example, “Thutmosis III was furious [with Hatshepsut]. He was especially annoyed that she planned to be buried in KV 20, the tomb of her father.” Since both these people lived 3,500 years ago, speculation on who was furious or annoyed should be used with extreme caution. And the tangled intrigue of Egyptian royalty is not easily sorted out in so brief a work. Throughout, though, there are spectacular photographs of ancient Egyptian artifacts, monuments, tomb paintings, jewels, and death masks that will appeal to young viewers. The photographs of the exposed mummies of Ramses II, King Tut, and Seti I are compelling. More useful for the hauntingly beautiful photos than the text. (brief bibliography, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)
Pub Date: March 1, 2001
ISBN: 0-7922-7223-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: National Geographic
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2001
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
A disorganized grab bag with parts that may be of some value to young stargazers.
A picture of our nearest cosmic neighbor, from violent origins to likely demise.
Aguilar, a veteran science writer and illustrator, opens with a recap of (theorized) stages in the moon’s evolution over the past 4.5 billion years. Then, in no particular order, he speeds through a jumble of lunar topics including tides and phases, the Great Moon Hoax of 1835, werewolves, moon-based festivals, and visits both fantastic and real. In a more practical vein, at least for budding sky watchers, he follows a simplified map of the moon’s near side with closer looks at 17 craters and other features easily visible through small telescopes or binoculars before closing, after a scenario of the moon’s probable end, with instructions for creating a plaster or papier-mâché moonscape and for drawing (not photographing!) lunar features observed through a lens. All of this is presented against a seamless series of photos and realistic paintings, sometimes a mix of the two. The author’s ethnography in his discussion of myths is at best superficial, and his survey of earthly history ends with the Apollo program, but his astronomy-based descriptions and explanations are clear and well-founded.
A disorganized grab bag with parts that may be of some value to young stargazers. (websites, index) (Nonfiction. 10-12)Pub Date: June 11, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4263-3322-4
Page Count: 64
Publisher: National Geographic Kids
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
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