Pharaoh: Life and Afterlife of a God
*Starred Review* There are many books about ancient Egypt, but this extraordinarily handsome one delves deeply into the various roles of the pharaoh, and, in the process, gives readers a much fuller understanding of Egyptian life. The book begins by introducing, Seti I, the living god and the father of Ramesses II. A brief history about the Old Kingdom melds into an explanation of the craftsmanship involved in building and decorating tombs, which flows naturally into a description of the beliefs and ceremonies surrounding death. In fact, one of the best things about this is the way the narrative moves simply and logically from topics such as flooding to farming and trading. But as fine as the text is, it more than meets its match in the masterful artwork. In a note, Kennett explains that the illustrations represent only about half the paintings he completed over three years, with inspiration coming from many sources, including photographs, film, and the works of other artists. An innovative design presents the art in a variety of ways. In one spread, readers are led inside a tomb. In another, a series of postage-stamp-size pictures (recreations of tomb paintings) take readers on a trip through the underworld. There’s much to see here, and children will want to look at the book again and again. A quality offering. Grades 4-7. --Ilene Cooper