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hello_sunshine's review against another edition
4.0
Cool pictures and a mystery to solve. Neat book!
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent! Set aside some time to decode the hieroglyphs if you're that kind of person!
aveincobalt's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a neat book! There is a map printed on the other side of the dust jacket, a huge moving decoder embedded into the back cover, hidden puzzles, and a real life prize.
But don't pick it up from the library. This is one of the few instances where in their efforts to protect the book, they will actually damage it. Most libraries will tape dust jackets to the book, so they aren't misplaced. This prevents you from utilizing the map or decoder, and ultimately you can't solve the puzzle without them.
Very unique in how it could grow with a child, and still fun as an adult.
But don't pick it up from the library. This is one of the few instances where in their efforts to protect the book, they will actually damage it. Most libraries will tape dust jackets to the book, so they aren't misplaced. This prevents you from utilizing the map or decoder, and ultimately you can't solve the puzzle without them.
Very unique in how it could grow with a child, and still fun as an adult.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
4.0
Love the illustration and enjoyed the twist on this tale.
jadejade's review
5.0
Re-read
I love that Graeme Base books encourage the reader to pour over the gorgeous illustrations. There are two puzzles to work out here: which is the correct fish (this can be worked out using logic and also involves playing with a mechanism at the back of the book); and (if you're feeling particularly adventurous) translating the tablets that are at the bottom of most of the pages. Additionally, the inside of the dust jacket gives the reader information about ancient Egypt that inspired this book.
I love that Graeme Base books encourage the reader to pour over the gorgeous illustrations. There are two puzzles to work out here: which is the correct fish (this can be worked out using logic and also involves playing with a mechanism at the back of the book); and (if you're feeling particularly adventurous) translating the tablets that are at the bottom of most of the pages. Additionally, the inside of the dust jacket gives the reader information about ancient Egypt that inspired this book.
faeriedrumsong's review against another edition
5.0
The age range of this book changes depending on what aspect of the book you are tuned in to. The story itself is a pleasing and straightforward tale about being responsible for your actions, and the consequences of being dishonest.
AFTER the story, though, is the interactive portion of the book. There is a puzzle you have to figure out. Involving the books own version of hieroglyphs, some search and find, matching, the alphabet and other mental gymnastics, a kid could easily spend a half hour or more figuring out this puzzle. Younger kids who get frustrated easily might need prompts from the parents - IF the parents can figure it out! Very entertaining and well done.
The Graeme Base website that the book points you to for the reward is beautiful, too.
Good luck in finding The Jewel Fish of Karnak!
AFTER the story, though, is the interactive portion of the book. There is a puzzle you have to figure out. Involving the books own version of hieroglyphs, some search and find, matching, the alphabet and other mental gymnastics, a kid could easily spend a half hour or more figuring out this puzzle. Younger kids who get frustrated easily might need prompts from the parents - IF the parents can figure it out! Very entertaining and well done.
The Graeme Base website that the book points you to for the reward is beautiful, too.
Good luck in finding The Jewel Fish of Karnak!
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
Graeme does it again. This book is told with animals in an ancient Egyptian setting. It works so well. Two thieves caught stealing from the pharaoh must steal a magical object from the crocodile prince and it all goes wrong. It is a myth and they end up eternally fishing the nile.
Graeme has also inserted another puzzle in the story. He puts hieroglyphs under each picture and there is a puzzle you have to solve the pattern using the hieroglyphs throughout the story. I didn’t figure it out, but the nephew is working on it still.
The artwork is dazzling. The animals are fantastic and it feels like a magical time and place in history. Graeme has a true gift at telling a story. His books are fun. This is not his best work, but it’s a great story. I would like to collect his books.
Fantastic. Both kids gave this 5 stars.
Graeme has also inserted another puzzle in the story. He puts hieroglyphs under each picture and there is a puzzle you have to solve the pattern using the hieroglyphs throughout the story. I didn’t figure it out, but the nephew is working on it still.
The artwork is dazzling. The animals are fantastic and it feels like a magical time and place in history. Graeme has a true gift at telling a story. His books are fun. This is not his best work, but it’s a great story. I would like to collect his books.
Fantastic. Both kids gave this 5 stars.
emkoshka's review
3.0
Another puzzling read from Graeme Base. There's three things going on here: the words, the pictures and then the hieroglyphs to decode. And then when you get to the end, you're supposed to figure out which fish is the jewel fish of Karnak based on clues along the way. I failed.
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