Ancient Rome!: Exploring the Culture, People & Ideas of This Powerful Empire (Kaleidoscope Kids) [Paperback]

Avery Hart (Author), Sandra Gallagher (Author), Sandra Marks Gallagher (Author), Michael P. Kline (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up | Series: Kaleidoscope Kids

This title is suitable for children of ages 9 to 12 years. Join the parade of history in search of the people, places, culture and virtues that are the legacy of this powerful and long-lived empire. See how wisdom and ignorance co-existed in the Roman peoples; search a globe to find Rome's legacy alive and well today; discover how much Latin you are speaking today (without a single Latin class). Ask yourself what we can do better to 'make it right' for all people. This title is also suitable for children of ages 7 to 12 years.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Readers travel back to Ancient Rome: Exploring the Culture, People and Ideas of This Powerful Empire by Avery Hart and Sandra Gallagher, illus. by Michael Kline, via accessible text, cartoon-like illustrations and activities including the construction of an arched bridge and Roman road. The legend of Romulus and Remus, and "Rome's Decline and Fall" are among the interesting sidelines. Ages 7-14.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-A lively text briefly covers aspects of Roman history and life including the legend of Romulus and Remus, religion and government, Pompeii, the Forum, the highways and waterways, the Punic Wars, Carthage, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Latin, the calendar, the legal system, vestal virgins, family life, Roman mythology, and the theater. A "Kidnap Rap" song based on the legend of the Sabines, a quick lesson on Roman numerals, and highlighted quotes are also provided. There is lots of boxed information; "Think About It!" sidebars pose questions and offer children points to ponder and discuss. More than a dozen suggested activities include games; building a triumphal arch, a Forum, or an aqueduct; writing ideas; and making garden stepping stones, an aquila (eagle), a collage-covered journal, and a mosaic candle. Safety guidelines and adult supervision recommendations are given when appropriate. There's even a recipe for a honey omelet. There are numerous cartoon drawings and green- or purple-tone photographs. This fact-filled book will supplement Linda Honan and Ellen Kosmer's Spend the Day in Ancient Rome (Wiley, 1998) and Philip Steele's Clothes and Crafts in Roman Times (Gareth Stevens, 2000).
Augusta R. Malvagno, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Williamson Pub (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1885593600
• ISBN-13: 978-1885593603
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #428,021 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 72 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Let me guess what political party the author votes for, August 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Ancient Rome!: Exploring the Culture, People & Ideas of This Powerful Empire (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

This book could work a little harder at exploring Ancient Roman culture. It gives no more information then a basic timeline would. When it does give historical info, it unfairly applies current day culture and beliefs to the behavior of the Romans.

Space is wasted on touchy feely issues that are only tangentially related to the supposed topic. For instance, the authors urge children to "help a hungry family get a chicken, rabbit, goat, or cow" by joining an organization via a website they pitch. The topic kind of comes out of left-field at the reader.

At one point the authors refer to the story of Romulus and Remus as "bizarre" (a word I might use to describe their own thought process). They suggest that the "brothers needed help in communication skills" and ask the reader to role-play how they "would...defuse the situation". On page 19, they write 2 sentences about Pliny the Younger's description of Vesuvius erupting. They then tell the reader to go look it up on the web if they want to read it. But on the same page, they eagerly discuss pretending to do an archaeological dig in the backyard. I think the authors had their priorities a little skewed when they were writing this text.

I much prefer to have my children read history books that put the events into context for them. There are better choices out there. Don't waste your money on this one.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well beyond an activity guide, July 18, 2008

By 

Tina M. Gilbert "Tina" (Largo, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ancient Rome!: Exploring the Culture, People & Ideas of This Powerful Empire (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

I bought this book for "projects." To my surprise and pleasure it goes well beyond just that. Full of interesting information, presented in a fun way for your student. I will certainly look towards purchasing other titles by this author. Great buy!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Head and Shoulders Above the Rest, July 17, 2007

By 

Daria Doering (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ancient Rome!: Exploring the Culture, People & Ideas of This Powerful Empire (Kaleidoscope Kids) (Paperback)

This "Kaleidoscope Kids" series of books is head and shoulders above all the other "hands on history" books for kids available. As well as some hands-on activities, it has a narrative history at a kid's level, and the clearest and most concise explanations of many sophisticated concepts that I've seen anywhere (and I'm a middle and high school history teacher). The book on Ancient Rome is particularly good. Highly recommended!