Ancient Africa (Modern Rhymes about Ancient Times) [Library Binding]

Susan Altman (Author), Susan Lechner (Author), Donna Perrone (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Modern Rhymes about Ancient Times

Through verse, young readers can explore the fascinating civilizations of the past. The rich worlds of Ancient Rome, Greece, Egypt and Africa come to life in engaging and lively rhymes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-5-Informative and interesting looks at ancient civilizations, related in rhyme and accompanied by colorful, stylized illustrations. From the poem entitled "Mummies" in Ancient Egypt, children are told that when a pharaoh died, "they used a secret way/To keep his body from decay./They checked him out from head to toes/And pulled his brain out through his nose." They also learn that ancient Egyptian doctors treated an ill child by feeding him a skinned mouse. Elementary students thrive on facts of this kind, and these books are filled with them. Explicatory notes and pronunciations are included below each poem. For example, the selection about the African !Kung San tribe explains that when a word is spelled with an exclamation point in front of it, it is spoken with a "click." In addition to the obvious use of these books in studies of ancient times, they could be used effectively as models for nonfiction poetry. Each book lists four appropriate Web sites with activities and additional information. Good choices for supplementing studies of ancient times.
Lynn Dye, Keheley Elementary School, Marietta, GA
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Susan Altman is the author of several nonfiction books for children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Library Binding: 48 pages
• Publisher: Children's Press (CT) (June 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 051621151X
• ISBN-13: 978-0516211510
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,293,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great poems for remembering the nuts & bolts of history, June 27, 2011

By 

J. Driscoll - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ancient Africa (Modern Rhymes about Ancient Times) (Library Binding)

In the grammar stage of history, we aim for getting an overview of the stories of history, rather than for complete retention of all of the facts and dates. However, these poems are very entertaining and memorable, and serve as fun mental "anchors" to which to chain some knowledge of history-- I recommend the whole series! My pricing from this vendor was great, but be sure to shop around for condition and prices to be sure you get a reasonable deal-- some other vendors are charging outrageous amounts for these books.

I will probably have my logic stage child memorize a few of these poems as well, just as a really fun memory aid for his history program.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful enrichment for history!, January 28, 2007

By 

WTM Mama "triviumacademy" (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ancient Africa (Modern Rhymes about Ancient Times) (Paperback)

Susan Altman's series is one I recommend all the time to parents wishing to enrich their history studies. While these books are wonderful on their own, they are the perfect complement to a homeschooler's history program. If you're going to teach them, have fun doing it and expose them to poetry!