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geekwayne's review against another edition
4.0
'Nile Crossing' by Katy Beebe with illustrations by Sally Wem Comport is a picture book telling an unusual version of a first day of school story.
Young Khepri lives with his family in ancient Egypt. He spends his days fishing with his father, but today is a different day. Today Khepri will cross the Nile with his father and enter the city of Thebes.
The story kind of ends, but there is some after story with more history and a glossary. The illustrations are really very interesting. They have a kind of old Egyptian feel to them. The story tells a historical sort of story with familiar elements. I really liked this story for younger readers.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
Young Khepri lives with his family in ancient Egypt. He spends his days fishing with his father, but today is a different day. Today Khepri will cross the Nile with his father and enter the city of Thebes.
The story kind of ends, but there is some after story with more history and a glossary. The illustrations are really very interesting. They have a kind of old Egyptian feel to them. The story tells a historical sort of story with familiar elements. I really liked this story for younger readers.
I received a review copy of this ebook from Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.
lattelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This book was enjoyable to read, and I was surprised at myself for knowing so little about the schools of other cultures and time periods. The author, who sports a love for Egyptology, was willing to give us some insight as to just how this stressful and thrilling day is in ancient Egypt.
By providing the audience with more awareness, we are better able to understand the differences between cultures, history, and their schools. For instance, what tools did students use? How did they get to school? What time do they wake up for school? Did they have to go far? These are the sorts of questions that Beebe answers.
Additionally, I was impressed by the last few pages in which Beebe presents additional facts and further reading for both children and their parents. This is a book I'm highly considering purchasing for my mother, a kindergarten teacher, when it comes out.
Get the full review here!
By providing the audience with more awareness, we are better able to understand the differences between cultures, history, and their schools. For instance, what tools did students use? How did they get to school? What time do they wake up for school? Did they have to go far? These are the sorts of questions that Beebe answers.
Additionally, I was impressed by the last few pages in which Beebe presents additional facts and further reading for both children and their parents. This is a book I'm highly considering purchasing for my mother, a kindergarten teacher, when it comes out.
Get the full review here!
agudenburr's review against another edition
4.0
A beautiful book about the first day of school for a child in ancient Egypt. The illustrations are breathtaking and the story is written in poetry. Would make a great read aloud for upper elementary children who are learning about ancient Egypt.
librarianryan's review
4.0
This story was much different than I expected. Khepri is going across the river. He normally goes out on the Nile river to fish, and gather for the family. But today is special. Today he crosses the river for the first day of school. At the end the author as a page about writing in Ancient Egypt and what school was like. I also like that she has a short list of further reading.
brucefarrar's review
4.0
It’s Khepri’s first day of school in ancient Egypt. He wakes up early and receives a special amulet and some special treats to eat from his mother. Then he walks out in the early morning dark with his father. They gets on board his fishing boat, and his father paddles them across the Nile as the sun is coming up. Khepri is a little anxious because this is his first day in a new school. But his father walks him to the new school, and gives him a hug and the new tools he will need, a case of reeds, to become a scribe.
Contemporary children will easily relate to the anxiety, despite parental reassurances, brought on by the prospect of the first day at a new school, in this beautifully illustrated story set millennia ago.
Contemporary children will easily relate to the anxiety, despite parental reassurances, brought on by the prospect of the first day at a new school, in this beautifully illustrated story set millennia ago.
booksteacupnreviews's review
4.0
Note: I received review copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. I am glad I got a chance to read this book.
The story was imagination of the education system and lifestyle during the ancient Egyptian time period. And story take place in that era. It was about the boy, Khepri, attending his first day of the school. How his day rose differently, instead of going to fishing he visits school, how different he felt and thought about that day, and how he overcame his anxiety of new day and new school.
What I liked-
There was the mention of various Egyptian Gods, what are they for. The picture of the Gods were illustrated on the same page to show children how they look. In the school while making friend Khepri learn to write. On that page how ancient Egyptian used Papyrus and Reed to write was told in easy language. Few information given were really good like, there are 700 sign used in Egyptian text and ibis, the bird in this Hieroglyph, is first sign of God Thoth’s name which was also illustrated in the book. There was glossary at end of the book as well. This picture book is good as a history lessons for children.
Khepri’s fear of first day in the school was narrated in innocent way. I liked that he also understood that he would make friends in the school and he has nothing to fear. So this was not like in modern way how parents explain their children importance of school and what he will expect on first day of the school but it was totally like the ancient period when children learn everything by experience and do not voice their fear it to parents. The story was in the time period (c. 1550 – 1070 BCE.) which was mentioned in the last few pages of the story and period was explained in a way children could understand.
Illustrations were like paintings, landscape and details in appearance of people were taken into consideration. This book is for academic purpose where teachers could tell stories and at the same time teach about Egyptian history.
Why not full star-
I feel, this is little advance for children. Definitely not for 5 – 7 yr. children. They may not know half the words in the book like hieroglyphs or scarab, even though glossaries were given or can understand about Egyptian history. So it might not cover wide audience.
Overall, I liked the story and all the information about Ancient Egyptian and schooling system in that era. I recommend to children who are interested in learning history and for school libraries.
The story was imagination of the education system and lifestyle during the ancient Egyptian time period. And story take place in that era. It was about the boy, Khepri, attending his first day of the school. How his day rose differently, instead of going to fishing he visits school, how different he felt and thought about that day, and how he overcame his anxiety of new day and new school.
What I liked-
There was the mention of various Egyptian Gods, what are they for. The picture of the Gods were illustrated on the same page to show children how they look. In the school while making friend Khepri learn to write. On that page how ancient Egyptian used Papyrus and Reed to write was told in easy language. Few information given were really good like, there are 700 sign used in Egyptian text and ibis, the bird in this Hieroglyph, is first sign of God Thoth’s name which was also illustrated in the book. There was glossary at end of the book as well. This picture book is good as a history lessons for children.
Khepri’s fear of first day in the school was narrated in innocent way. I liked that he also understood that he would make friends in the school and he has nothing to fear. So this was not like in modern way how parents explain their children importance of school and what he will expect on first day of the school but it was totally like the ancient period when children learn everything by experience and do not voice their fear it to parents. The story was in the time period (c. 1550 – 1070 BCE.) which was mentioned in the last few pages of the story and period was explained in a way children could understand.
Illustrations were like paintings, landscape and details in appearance of people were taken into consideration. This book is for academic purpose where teachers could tell stories and at the same time teach about Egyptian history.
Why not full star-
I feel, this is little advance for children. Definitely not for 5 – 7 yr. children. They may not know half the words in the book like hieroglyphs or scarab, even though glossaries were given or can understand about Egyptian history. So it might not cover wide audience.
Overall, I liked the story and all the information about Ancient Egyptian and schooling system in that era. I recommend to children who are interested in learning history and for school libraries.
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