Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Tutankhamen's Gift

Pic Source : Amazon
Title: Tutankhamen's Gift
Author/Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks
Ages 6-9

Isn't this picture familiar? It is one of the most celebrated icons of Ancient Egypt - the mask of Pharaoh Tutankhamen's mummy discovered in the year 1922.

Now who is King Tutankhamen?

Many many years ago (history tells me it's 1351 B.C) Egypt was ruled by a pharaoh called Amenhotep IV, son of the mighty Amenhotep III. Unlike his father though, Amenhotep IV (also known as Akhenaten) was unpopular because he proclaimed that all of Egypt should worship only one God - the God of the Sun. To ensure this, he destroyed several temples of the old faith and established a new capital city.

When Amenhotep IV suddenly died, his brother* Tutankhamen was heir apparent. But the people were worried - for he was only ten years old, so small, so meek. Could this child really be the last heir to the throne of Egypt?

Could a boy be pharaoh?

Tutankhamen's Gift is a history lesson, retold the way all history lessons should be - as an engrossing story. It is a story of a boy king, who had no apparent talents except an appreciation for the beautiful monuments his father* built (which his brother* destroyed)

When he is unexpectedly anointed pharaoh at the age of ten, he goes on to rebuild and bring back the old faith to Egypt, thus restoring the country to its former glory.

That is Tutankhamen's Gift.

Take the distinctive art and culture of Ancient Egypt and the unusual story of a boy king (Kings do have a special place in the heart of children, don't they?) Now add the noted illustrator Robert Sabuda to the mix - and what do you have but an amazing treat.

* As the Notes on the Text at the back of the book say : "Historical facts from such ancient civilizations as Egypt's are often difficult to determine and are much debated by scholars."

This book was printed in 1994, but in 2010 a DNA test determined that in reality Tutankhamen was not the son of Amenhotep III as the book claims but the son of Amenhotep IV. What's more, he is also referred to as son in law of Amenhotep IV, since Tutankhamen married to his own half sister (Amenhotep IV's daughter from another queen).

18 comments:

Meera Sriram said...

A boy king story in the backdrop of ancient Egypt - wow! Neatly done review. Thanks Poppins.

B o o. said...

I am always interested in anything related to Ancient Egypt. The husband I visited the Tutankhamun exhibit in Basel a few years ago when they were touring. Was a thrilling experience for me. Im so buying this book for me. :)

ps.
Ever since I read about him, I have thought that the name Akhenaten sounds a lot like "Ekanathan" meaning One God and his Sun Temple was built at Karnak while we still have a Sun temple at Konark. Interesting tidbit, right?

Meera Sriram said...

Boo, that IS true:)) Cool! I remember reading "Ra" as the Sun God in mid-school history.

Anusha said...

a fascination for all things Egypt started last year in my (then) 4yo, after he made an apple "mummy" and pyramid cakes at school. this is a book he's sure to fall head over heels over. thanks for the crisp review!

Praba Ram said...

So enlightening, Sunita! Thank you so much for an awesome review of a story from the ancient world!

The eight year old in the family is learning ancient civilizations this year. Coincidentally, they started Ancient Egypt, just this week! At the end of it, she will be doing a research project. We both have loved learning about Egypt from a school-recommended website! Can pass on the link if someone is interested. Incredible stuff! Her class is reading the non-fiction magic treehouse mummies and pharoahs research guide this week.

M - I printed out the story of Ra for K this past weekend for a read-aloud/reading comprehension. :)

Choxbox said...

'Robert Sabuda' caught my eye even before I went further down the review! Know of his pop-ups, didn’t know about these ones. Thanks, will look out for this one. Sounds great!

And we have a pile of children’s books on Egypt (got from the Museum of Egyptian Archaelogy in London), if your lil one gets into Egyptology, do let me know, she might find them interesting - we can lend them to you.

starry eyed said...

Good one, Div is Egypt crazy these days thanks to school history...will look out for this! Nice review Poppy!

Poppins said...

Does walking around with "Tutankhamen's gift" all the time, poring over "Ancient Egypt" in the encyclopedia and wanting to be dressed as an Egyptian Mummy for fancy dress next year count as Egypto-philia?

If so then my 5 yo has that very disease.

Praba, I want that link and Chox will take you up on your generous offer :)

@Boo: WOW. I did not know that interesting bit of trivia! Amazing. Makes one wonder about how small the world was even before the advent of social networking :)

@Kodi's Mom: Not Kodi too! Looks our kids streak of liking the same things, continues unabated.

@Chox: When I saw this book I thought it was a pop up too. Drooling at the thought of a pop up book with Egypt as its theme.

@Meera: Thanks! I remember the Ra thing too.

@Starry: Another Egypt fan! Truly it's an extremely interesting culture.

artnavy said...

Big fan of Sabuda here for the pop ups- did not know he did "normal" books

This shld be fascinating.

sandhya said...

Well you can add many more Egypt fans to the list, Poppy, yours truly and daughter. It is such a fascinating civilisation with an equally fascinating mythology.

Thanks for this one. And I so agree with you- "a history lesson, retold the way all history lessons should be - as an engrossing story."

utbtkids said...

Robert Sabuda?

Where do you find these gems Poppins mom?

Must tell the husband that Egypt is calling. I see signs every where.

Sheela said...

Lovely review, Poppins, enjoyed reading it!

Quite an interesting tidbit there, Boo, about Akhenatan and Karnak.

Egypt caught Ana's attention through an accidental find from the library: Count your way through Egypt (Jim Haskins); the Arabic numerals with pronunciation guide at the end was a favorite in this book. (There is a series of similar books by Haskins about Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and a few more. )

This book will be on our list to follow up and learn more.

the mad momma said...

Poppy - you've picked some brilliant books. Where did you find them?

Choxbox said...

Incidentally, spotted a book called The Golden Goblet today. Historical fiction based Ancient Egypt. So gripping that it was devoured up in the young Egyptophile in these parts in the wink of an eye.
A Newberry Honor book and highly reco’ed by said E’phile. Will report back once I’m through with it.

Poppy said...

@Art: I know you did a cluster post on pop ups didnt you?
@Sandhya: The list keeps growing, but i agree what a fascinating culture!
@Utbtkids: Found it at the fount : the Hippocampus library in Bangalore. Macchu Picchu all done, now Egypt? Am envious!
@Sheela: Wow now that book sounds fascinating must look it up.
@TMM: Mostly at a wonderful children's library called Hippocampus in Bangalore. Brundibar was from a used bookstore called Blossoms.
@ChoxBox: Wow. Wow. Please report back, must check it out.

utbtkids said...

Poppy, Machu Pichu not done.

But, hey as long as we are not traveling anywhere, might as well dream :)

Anusha said...

Poppy, we read this book yesterday, and just as the last page was closed, the 5yo summed it up in one big 'wow'.
I don't have to tell you how many more times we're going to be reading it in the coming weeks!
illustrations just popped out, Sabuda does his magic even on 2d.

there is a pop up book on egypt we recently discovered- the title character is a mouse, no prizes for guessing his name. Tutankamouse :)

Poppins said...

@Utbtkids: Ohh well I thought you did. Never mind atleast you have the dream! Someday. Meanwhile we do all our exotic travels in the books :)

@Kodi's Mom: Am so glad Kodi liked it. Yes the papyrus style illustrations are great - loved your choice of words- 'pop out'. Tutankamouse is just so hilarious.

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