Zekmet, the Stone Carver: A Tale of Ancient Egypt [Library Binding]

Mary Stolz (Author), Deborah Nourse Lattimore (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up

Chosen to design a magnificent monument for a vain and demanding Pharoah, an Egyptian stone carver conceives of and begins work on the Sphinx which still stands in the Egyptian desert today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 2-6 Stolz imagines how, thousands of years ago, a serenely arrogant Egyptian King Khafre might have ordered his groveling, grumbling vizier, Ho-tep, to plan yet another monument to his lasting glory. In the workmen's quarters, Ho-tep meets Zekmet, a skilled stone-carver whose desert-inspired vision producesafter some shrewd negotiating with the vizierthe monument known now as the Great Sphinx. Story, place, and characters come alive from the first elegant sentence. There are some slyly comic portraits, especially of Khafre and Ho-tep, exposing these two as all too human, and this account of the Sphinx' genesis is quite plausible. The illustrations rely heavily on decorative and hieroglyphic motifs associated with ancient Egyptian art, adapting these conventions to breathe spirit into what could have lain stonily on the page. The predominant tones are cream, terra cotta, and gray, with accents of colors suggesting the favored gemstones of Egyptian antiquity: lapis, carnelian, and turquoise; there's Nile green, too. It's a thoughtful execution resulting in a blend of formality and liveliness compatible with similar traits in the text. An imaginative and satisfying time-trip. Karen Litton, Confederation Centre Public Library, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Copyright 1988 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books (J); 1st edition (March 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152999612
• ISBN-13: 978-0152999612
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,113 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars very interesting, April 28, 2008

By 

Isom "Homeschooling Mom" (INDIANA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zekmet, the Stone Carver: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Library Binding)

Thoughtful and educational. Great library book. Great illustrations and a thoughtful possibility of how it could have came to be. My daughter -6 y.o. really enjoyed it.

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a beautiful picture book with stunning illustrations!, August 20, 2011

By 

SYBIL BLAZEJ-YEE "A librarian and dog walker" (Los Angeles, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zekmet, the Stone Carver: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Library Binding)

I was completely drawn to this gorgeous book with its stunningly accurate
illustrations. Since it is a picture book, the beautiful drawings more
than fulfill the promise of a great story of Egypt well told both through
the words and images. It will serve as a wonderful introduction to books
on ancient Egypt for the reluctant reader as well as any teacher wishing
to initiate children to the concepts of archaeology, good storytelling and
ancient art. Deborah Lattimore is totally in her element.
Well done, Mary Stolz!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for 6th Graders!, November 14, 2007

By 

Diana (San Ramon, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zekmet, the Stone Carver: A Tale of Ancient Egypt (Library Binding)

I teach about Egypt in 6th grade social studies. This book is right at their level for a read aloud. It teaches them about relationships in the social structure while providing beautiful illustrations. There are lots of advanced vocabulary words. This is definately not a book that is intended for younger readers. It truly defines that picture books are for older readers too.