The Great Wonder: The Building of the Great Pyramid (Smithsonian Odyssey)
Grade 2-5.  While viewing a film about the building of the Great Pyramids of Egypt at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, Kevin is transported into King Khufu's burial chamber in the Great Pyramid as it is being built over 4,000 years ago. This book and tape introduce students to the building of the Great Pyramid through Kevin's eyes. Narration of this adventure and Kevin's thoughts are read by a male narrator whose voice resonates on the tape. Realistic sound effects add to the story as one hears the chiseling of the stones, voices at the pyramid, etc. Because the narrator does not follow the text exactly, this may be a confusing read-along. The historical facts, procedures, and vocabulary in the story are accurate. Kevin's thoughts are expressed in slang and shown in italics in the book. Included at the end of the book are a brief glossary and a few additional facts about the Great Pyramid. The book's watercolor illustrations produce a sense of being in there. Coloring throughout the book gives the impression of the sand and stone setting. As an introduction to how pyramids are built, this is an interesting tale. Teachers may find it necessary to explain to younger students that the text differs from the cassette narration.?Ann Elders, Mark Twain Elementary School, FederalCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.