From Publishers Weekly
Both subtitled "The Greatest Newspaper in Civilization," these informally written volumes collect "the stories that really made the headlines" during the height of the Greek and Roman empires, or would have, if those eras had enjoyed USA Today, Dear Abby and contemporary advertising. With a tabloid-style format that is smaller than an actual newspaper yet larger than standard picture books, these books present ancient history as "news," putting it into a shape and jargon familiar to kids today (see also Children's Books, p. 24). Aside from the hard news stories of the day ("Sparta Attacks!"; "Alexander Wins!"), The Greek News offers a quiz to measure how close readers come to being "the perfect Greek citizen," a piece denouncing cheating at the Olympic Games and answers to farmers' questions about suitable crops to grow (olives and grapes get the nod). "Hannibal Invades" and "Caesar Stabbed!" are among the news articles in Roman; also included are tips on buying a slave, a profile of a trader's job and a 10-step guide to hosting "fantastic feasts" (never try to squeeze more than three guests onto a couch, designate one room as a vomitorium). Timelines, copious illustrations, maps and droll ads round out each of these entertaining, deftly organized books. They will make terrific light-hearted additions to curriculum units on ancient civilizations. Ages 9-14.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 5 Up. Browsable reads to whet the appetite. The "editors" (authors) of these two volumes have hit upon a unifying theme to chronicle the accomplishments of the ancients?a newspaper style. The Roman News and The Greek News are not exactly major city dailies; their format is more suggestive of a news magazine or at least a Sunday section highlighting fashion, sports, trade, food, and the military. Each page presents readable articles complete with headlines, boldface, column breaks, illustrations, and, often classifieds: instruments for sale; racing chariots built to order; reusable wax tablets. The front page (book cover) suggests a scope of approximately 1200 years, and the rise and fall of each empire is explained. A publisher's disclaimer also cautions that the ancients did not have newspapers (of course, they didn't even have paper!), but if they had, "they would have been reading...." Similar comments dart in and out of the news stories so that the entire tone is more human interest than ready reference. Such editorializing, however, only slightly distracts from the facts, which are accurate. Significant dates and events are all newsworthy. "Olympic Games Spoiled," "Caesar Stabbed," and "Hannibal Invades" are typical stories. The slightly oversized pages with decorative borders, sidebars, ads, and cartoons create an interesting layout. Many teachers would probably rejoice with the delivery of The Greek or Roman News as a project for a social-studies or whole-language unit. Kids can adopt this highly readable, albeit slightly sensationalized journalistic style. All in all, serviceable reporting.?Harriett Fargnoli, Great Neck Library, NY
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
