Gladiators [Hardcover]

TOBY FORWARD (Author), Steve Noon (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 13, 2009 | Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

Reimagine ancient feats of courage and strength — and relive gladiators’ triumph and despair — with this extraordinary set.

Unfold a spectacular model of the world’s most awe-inspiring amphitheater — the Colosseum — and enter an ancient world where, for three hundred years, gladiators pitted their strength and skill against one another. This exciting set includes:
— A sophisticated pop-up scale model of the Colosseum
— A forty-page book describing a day at the games — for both a Roman citizen and a slave
— Eight gladiator cards identifying weapons and fighting styles
— A map of the streets and buildings of ancient Rome
— A diagram of the Colosseum and its underground tunnels
— Game pieces and rules for playing the ancient Roman game of tabula

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3–5—Marcus is a slave to a beast master who provides animals and gladiators for entertainment in ancient Rome. Lucius is the son of a senator. Both boys are going to the Colosseum for the first time. Through their eyes, readers are able to experience the games from two different perspectives: Lucius as a spectator who saves an elephant and Marcus as participant hoping that his adopted father survives the games and is granted freedom by the emperor. Though the ending is a bit contrived, the text and realistic color illustrations do not hold back in showing how gruesome and bloody the Games were. Sidebars and insets contain historical facts and are accurate except for some confusion with the time periods between the Republic and Empire. Additionally, this slim volume is part of a bigger kit that includes a three-dimensional pop-up of the Colosseum, a map of Rome and the arena, and pieces for the game Tabula, which was played in ancient Rome. A great idea for getting kids interested in history and perfect for individual purchase or displays, but not a practical item for library circulation.—Clare A. Dombrowski, Amesbury Public Library, MA
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About the Author

Toby Forward is the author of SHAKESPEARE'S GLOBE: AN INTERACTIVE POP-UP THEATRE. He lives in England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; Pop edition (October 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763644447
• ISBN-13: 978-0763644444
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 1.9 x 11.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,803 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ENGROSSING FUN AND A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, October 8, 2009

By 

Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gladiators (Hardcover)

Along with most other things in our fast spinning world pop-up books have taken so many giant leaps forward that they almost merit a different name, such as a name that encompasses not only pop-ups but everything found in this king size return to ancient Rome, Gladiators.

First, there is a 40 page book covering a day at what was then called a game for both spectators and gladiators. What is surely the world's most eye-popping amphitheater, Rome's Colosseum, unfolds into a spectacular model, and is accompanied by a printed layout allowing us to explore not only the structure but the maze of tunnels running beneath it. Also included is a street map of ancient Rome, Gladiator trading cards, and a favorite Roman game, Tabula.

The cover holding all of these intriguing items measures 10" by 12", and is sturdily bound. Geared for ages 7 and up Gladiators is not only engrossing fun but a learning experience as well.

Steve Noon's illustrations are colorfully lifelike returning us to a time gone by when combatants fought one another in an amphitheater that held 50,000 people who were seated by rank, social class, and gender. Kudos to David Hawcock for amazing paper engineering.

- Gail Cooke