Children's Books on Kemet

We are looking for excellent quality books on Kemet for children that treat the religion respectfully, are historically accurate and still a lot of fun for kids.  More detailed reviews and more books are coming!  Books that fall between two age groups are listed in both groups.

Click here for groupings by age-group:

For Younger Readers Ages 4-8
For Readers in the Middle Grades Ages 9-12
For Young Adult Readers

These books have been reviewed by House of Netjer members, with comments in brackets.  Ratings: A scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 5 stars being the best.

For Younger Readers Ages 4-8

	Aliki, Mummies Made in Egypt, HarperCollins, 1985.  Ages 4-8. "The author's reputation for taking a respectful, accurate approach when writing should be intact after reading this book. It is a long book, but there are so many descriptive pictures and processes, my kids could barely wait to get to the next page. This is another book that will be making my book shelf."--Djedetmiwesir. Rating: **** (read more...)
	Bower, Tamara, The Shipwrecked Sailor (An Egyptian Tale with Hieroglyphs), Simon and Schuster Childrens, c. 2000. "Overall, it's a simplified version of the story, with one line in hieroglyphs and its direct translation underneath. It's great for younger kids." -- Alison. Rating: **** (read more...)
	Clements, Andrew, The Temple Cat, Clarion Books, c. 2001. "This book is illustrated with beautiful, soft, realistic paintings. I'd get it for that one thing, but the story isn't terrific. It's stated that the Egyptians are worshipping the cat as a CAT, not as a representative of a form of Netjer. I also didn't like the idea that the priests wouldn't let a cat just be a cat sometimes." --Alison. ***½ (read more...)
	Foster, John, The Shipwrecked Sailor: A Tale from Ancient Egypt, American University in Cairo Press, c. 1998. "This one has the whole original story in both English and hieroglyphs, side-by-side!  The illustrations are less traditional, but more interesting." --Alison. Rating: ***** (read more...)
	Gregor, C. Shana, Cry of the Benu Bird: An Egyptian Creation Story, New York, Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996. Ages 5-8. on the House of Netjer recommended reading list
	Hofmeyr, Dianne, Star-Bearer: A Creation Myth from Ancient Egypt, Farrar Straus & Giroux, c. 2001.  Ages 4-8. "Of all the children’s books I have read so far on Ancient Kemet, this one far and away is my favorite. Dianne Hofmeyr did a brilliant job! This is a book I am purchasing for my family. I even recommend this book for adults who are parented by Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Djehuty, Khonsu, Geb, Nut, Wesir, Heru, Set, Aset, and Nebt-het.  I promise you will love the illustrations of your Parents!"--Djedetmiwesir. Rating ****½ (read more...)
	Mike, Jan M., Gift of the Nile: An Ancient Egyptian Legend, Troll Association, c. 1992.  (Ages 4-8 if read by parent. otherwise, Ages 9-12) "This is a nice story, and the artwork is charming. I would recommend this book to parents who are willing to read with their child, so they can take a moment to correct small inaccuracies and explain some of the confusing sentence structures."--Djedetmiwesir. Rating: *** (read more...) "This story is a wonderful illustration of friendship, boundaries and freedom. It is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. The book is respectful to the Ancient Egyptians. Chandler loved this story so much that we literally read it over and over again."--Peryt. Rating: ***** (read more...) <>
	Sabuda, Robert, Tutankhamen's Gift, Atheneum, 1994. Ages 6-9. on the House of Netjer recommended reading list
	Sturges, Philemon, Crocky Dilly, Boston, Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 1999.  Ages 5-8 "I'm a big fan of the children's book, Crocky Dilly, which is a story of a crocodile telling everyone that he's decended from Sebek...you can also get a stuffed crocodile with it that you can turn inside out and it becomes a mummy.   My nephews are rather fond of that crocodile."-- kai-Imakhu Nakht

 

For Readers in the Middle Grades Ages 9-12

	Andronik, Catherine M., Hatshepsut, His Majesty, Herself to be reviewed
	Dineen, Jacqueline, Lift the Lid on Mummies: Unravel the Mysteries of Egyptian Tombs and Make Your Own Mummy!   Running Press Book Publishers, c.1998.  Ages 9-12. This kit has a lot of fun potential, but the information in the book can be somewhat lacking. There is also a little bit of the "all Egyptians were silly superstitous simpletons" attitude running through it as well. The redeeming qualities are the "Make Your Own Mummy" kit. A model body is included for wrapping, cardboard amulets for the “mummification" process, and even the internal organs have a place, inside canopic jars. However, there are a few little problems with the kit. -- Djedetmiwesir.  Rating: **½ (read more...)
photo not available	Ellerby, Leona, King Tut's Game Board, to be reviewed
	Green, Roger Lancelyn, Tales of Ancient Egypt, Puffin Books, reissued 1996. Ages 9-12. "Here's one I read aloud to my kids. It's a collection of ancient tales, some of which I recognized. The stories are not all exactly state-of-the-art entertainment, but authentic, I think, and provided good discussion." --Ahaenituef
	Hart, George, and James Putnam, Ancient Egypt/Book and Treasure Chest, Running Press Book Publishers, c. 1994.  Ages 9-12.   "If there is one product on this earth that could turn anyone into an instant fan of Ancient Egypt, it is the Ancient Egyptian installment of the Running Press’ “Treasure chest" series...Most of all, this is a lot of fun, and while it is a brilliant gift for a child, you may consider buying one for yourself, or for the entire family." --Djedetmiwesir.   Rating: ****½  (read more...)
	Haslam, Andrew, Ancient Egypt (The Hands-on Approach to History; Make it Work series), Chicago, World Book, Inc., c. 1997. Ages 10-14. "Wonderful projects that are both beautiful and easy to make, covering all aspects of Kemetic culture. Very highly recommended."--NeferuHethert.  Rating: ****½ "Lots of educational crafts projects, many on the complicated side. Possible use: make the projects with your kids, and you'll be pretty much set for tomb furnishings. Very nice, if ambitious."--Ahaenituef
	Lattimore, Deborah Nourse, The Winged Cat: A Tale of Ancient Egypt, Harper Trophy, c. 1995. Ages 9-12. "Things I liked: The illustrations and a translation-page at the beginning and end of the book, so you can translate the hieroglyphs that appear throughout the story. Things I didn't like: The story!   Overall: NOT reccomended. Sorry!" --Alison. Rating: ** (read more...)
	MacDonald, Fiona, Women in Ancient Egypt (Other Half of History), Peter Bedrick Books, c. 1999. Ages 9-12. "The book tells the story and history of Ancient Egypt's ladies.  Short paragraphs on family life, occupations, priestesses, worship, fashion, food, drink, cloth-making, and death and burial.  Lots of pictures.  Two mummies are shown, but they are still in their casing and not exposed or in the unwrapped state." --Hekenutaset
photo not available	Manniche, Lise, The Prince who knew his Fate, Penguin Putnam Books for Children, c. 1981.  (Djedet recommends Ages 9-12) "Her story is based on a myth of a prince who is divined by the Seven Het-herts and is told he will meet a tragic fate. The problems with this book are that it is very long winded, very wordy and it may be very difficult for children of younger ages. Another problem with this book is Lise Manniche actually changes the ending of the book."--Djedetmiwesir. Rating: *** (read more...)
	Eloise Jarvis McGraw: The Golden Goblet, Viking Press, c. 1961, reprint edition c. 1990. Ages 9-12. "Although written some time ago by the well-known children’s literature author, this Newberry Award-winning story still has timeless appeal. "The Golden Goblet" is a story of courage and grit, of persevering on the path of truth and honesty. I would feel perfectly comfortable recommending this book to any young Shemsu." --Senytmenu. Rating: ****  (read more...)
	Eloise Jarvis McGraw, Mara, Daughter of the Nile, Viking Press, c. 1953, reprint edition c.1990. Ages 9-12. "Having read Ms. McGraw’s The Golden Goblet and thoroughly enjoyed it, I anticipated her Mara, Daughter of the Nile would be of the same quality: the lush descriptions of everyday Egypt along with real, colorful characters and a sympathetic protagonist. Unfortunately, it was not.  It was an interesting read from an artistic point of view; Ms. McGraw is a good writer. However, in her research of the historical Hatshepsut, she appears to side with those who demonized her."--Senytmenu. Rating **½ (read more...)
	Mike, Jan M., Gift of the Nile: An Ancient Egyptian Legend, Troll Association, c. 1992. Ages 9-12. "This is a nice story, and the artwork is charming. I would recommend this book to parents who are willing to read with their child, so they can take a moment to correct small inaccuracies and explain some of the confusing sentence structures."--Djedetmiwesir. Rating: *** (read more...) "This story is a wonderful illustration of friendship, boundaries and freedom. It is well written and the illustrations are beautiful. The book is respectful to the Ancient Egyptians. Chandler loved this story so much that we literally read it over and over again."--Peryt. Rating: ***** (read more...) <>
	Rubalcaba, Jill, A Place in the Sun, Puffin, 1998. Ages 9-12. "Sensitive and natural, this book is enjoyable and captivating. Jill Rubalcaba portrays the daily life of Kemet well with references to the Names and other Kemetic philosophies touching upon Kemetic spirit. I most definitely recommend this work from a Kemetic coloured view."--Nubtshepsut. Rating ***** (read more...)
	Rubalcaba, Jill, The Wadjet Eye, Houghton Mifflin Company, c. 2000. Ages 9-12. being reviewed by Nubtshepsut
	Smith, Albert Gary and Josie Hazen, Cut and Make Egyptian Masks, Dover Publications, 1993. Ages 9-12 "Ready-to-make and wear masks printed on heavy stock. Sobek, Heru, Yinepu and Sekhmet. Oh, and King Tut's golden mask. Rather cutesy -- Sekhmet looks more like a teddy bear."--Ahaenituef.
	Zilpha Keatley Snyder, The Egypt Game, Atheneum, 1967; Bantam Doubleday Dell, 1986. "This book is very cool and adventurous.  Four kids are starting a club...the club is playing an imaginary game called The Egypt Game...I liked it a lot!"--Jon Parsons, age 10 (read more...) "I was pleased that a book for children actually had youngsters as characters very serious about a subject not ordinarily used in stories. The characters were interacting with Egyptian deities. Inaccurately at times, but it's a start."--Khenmetaset  (read more...)
	Stanley, Diane, Cleopatra, William Morrow and Company, c. 1994.  Ages 9-12. to be reviewed

 

For Young Adult Readers

	Carter, Dorothy Sharp, His Majesty, Queen Hatshepsut, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, c. 1987. to be reviewed
	Dover Staff, Egyptian Designs - CD-ROM and Book, c. 1998 & 1999.  372 different copyright-free designs, both in print and in six different common graphics formats on the CD. "This is where I got my Winged Disk pattern."--Ahaenituef "All 372 pictures are high quality, 600 dpi images, some of which include obscure Names. The clip art is copyright free and limitless in possibilities...the best $9.95 I have ever  spent." --Djedetmiwesir (read more...)
	Green, John, Life in Ancient Egypt (Coloring Book), Dover Publications, 1989. Ages 12 and up. "Not only nice pictures to color, but an educational text with each. Pictures are very detailed, which might be frustrating for younger children."--Ahaenituef
	Haslam, Andrew, Ancient Egypt (The Hands-on Approach to History; Make it Work series), Chicago, World Book, Inc., c. 1997. Ages 10-14. "Wonderful projects that are both beautiful and easy to make, covering all aspects of Kemetic culture. Very highly recommended."--NeferuHethert "Lots of educational crafts projects, many on the complicated side. Possible use: make the projects with your kids, and you'll be pretty much set for tomb furnishings. Very nice, if ambitious."--Ahaenituef
	Morley, Jacqueline, How Would You Survive as an Ancient Egyptian? Watts Franklin, 1996. Ages 12 & up. "Nicely done and very interesting daily life illustrated type book with lots of cut-aways and diagrams. Topics include:  Your Family, Your House, Your Clothes, Careers, Women in Society, the Gods, Mummification... about 40 topics in all. A quiz will tell you whether or not you would have survived lol. Excellent, especially for older kids."--Ahaenituef
	Wilder, Diana M., Pharaoh's Son, 1stBooks Library, c. 1999. being reviewed by Mehet