Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) [Paperback]

Janis Herbert (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: For Kids series

The Far East comes alive in this activity book centered on Marco Polo’s journey to China from Venice along the 13th-century Silk Road. Kids will join Marco as he travels by caravan through vast deserts and over steep mountain ranges, stopping in exotic cities and humble villages, until at last he arrives at the palace of the Kublai Khan. Woven throughout the tale are 21 activities that highlight the diverse cultures Marco encountered along the way. Activities include making a mythical map, creating a mosaic, fun with Feng Shui, making paper, and putting on a wayang-kulit (shadow-puppet play). Just for fun, kids will learn a few words of Turkish, Persian, Mongol, Hindi, and Chinese. A complete resource section with magnificent museums and their Web sites invites kids to embark on their own expedition of discovery.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her historical activity book, Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities, Janis Herbert chronicles the famous explorer's travels along the "Silk Road" to the palace of the Kublai Khan. Projects feature the various cultures that he experienced. For example, kids can make a mandala (a Tibetan circular sand painting that symbolizes the circle of life) and play "Eagle and Chicks," a Chinese game. Archival artwork and prints add to the handsome volume.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

The graphics are excellent throughout, and the instructions for activities are easy to follow. . . . An excellent choice. -- Duke Gifted Letter

"This guide to all things Marco Polo is graced with lively writing and imaginative projects." -- San Diego Union-Tribune

Celebrate the Chinese Year$B!&(Bby reading Marco Polo for Kids and getting your kids involved in 21 historically based activities. -- Star-Telegram

Lots of pictures and tidbits of information to capture young imaginations. -- The Star-Ledger

The book offers suspenseful stories, as Polo and his men face shipwrecks, bandits and other dangers. -- The Dallas Morning News

“The book offers suspenseful stories, as Polo and his men face shipwrecks, bandits and other dangers.” —The Dallas Morning News

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556523777
• ISBN-13: 978-1556523779
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #70 in Books > Children's Books > History > Medieval
  • #94 in Books > Children's Books > History > Exploration & Discovery

More About the Author

I love history! And I hope my books will inspire kids to feel the same way. Find out more about me and my award-winning books at www.janisherbertforkids.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FIVE STARS & then some!!, September 9, 2007

By 

redhead83402 "linguistic architect" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This has to be one of the best activity / history combinations I have yet seen. I used this book as curriculum for my homeschool, 4th, 5th & 7th grades. My two highschool age kids have even joined in the fun.

There are fairly complex activities, such as weaving a wall hanging, and less complex ones as well, such as making yogurt. My children have thoroughly enjoyed this unit on Marco Polo.

Ms. Herbert truly makes Marco Polo's journey come alive with pertinent activities, stories, tidbits, and asides. I also love how she starts with the perpective of one individual, on a personal basis, then leans out further into history, drawing the interest of the child further & further along, to a much broader perspective, then back to one on one with Marco Polo again. Most importantly, she does NOT leave God out of the equation; rather she dances about with it, allowing parents to delve into the religious aspects as they please, to the extent they please. While religion is not an overwhelming factor, it IS taken into consideration, and I believe any religion would feel comfortable with how she has tastefully addressed it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars We love these books!, January 19, 2009

By 

Carla Hillman "chillgal" (Beijing, China) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This series is great for kids--lots of great information and hands-on science and art activities that are easy to do around the house. The reading content is somewhat difficult--more for the 4th grade and up. Even my 8th grader likes to read them!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Open-minded biography, January 2, 2011

By 

Many Hats - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Paperback)

This book provides an open-minded perspective on cultures Marco Polo encountered, although it is superficial in some of its comparisons. Includes sidebars on hominid fossils and how to arrange your room according to Feng Shui principles.