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Ancient Egypt Topic

Best Books for the Ancient Egyptians Topic 

The topic of Ancient Egypt is a fascinating one, filled with exciting stories about tombs and treasures or codes and curses. Whether it’s the mysteries of the pyramids, the stories of pharaohs or daily life by the Nile, there’s plenty to unearth in our selection of the best children’s books about the Ancient Egyptians….

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Chapter books about Ancient Egypt

Emma Carroll
Chapter book

This story is set in 1922 around the time that Howard Carter famously excavated Tutankhamun’s tomb. Thirteen-year-old Lilian Kaye enjoys following the newspaper reports about Howard Carter’s progress. A mystery parcel raises lots of questions and soon after Lilian has an opportunity to join a voyage to Egypt. What follows is an exciting adventure that will take Lilian to the very heart of Howard Carter’s fascinating discoveries. Filled with historical intrigue and intelligently drawn characters, this is highly recommended for upper Ks2.

Thiago de Moraes
Chapter book

A heavily illustrated chapter book full of interesting and unusual facts about Ancient Egypt woven into a funny, action-packed time travel adventure. The book includes an engaging mix of visual features, including comic strips, maps and full page spreads and also has bonus activities at the end include hieroglyphic codes to crack – a winning combination for reluctant readers and those who enjoy fact-finding in a story.

Rick Riordan
Chapter book
Fans of Percy Jackson will enjoy this edge-of-your seat Egyptian adventure from the same author. This fast-paced narrative follows the story of two siblings who find themselves thrown into an action-packed adventure where the world of Ancient Egypt meets modern life, complete with gods, pharaohs and ancient magic. This is a good choice for upper KS2, full of mystery and a sure winner for fans of action and adventure.
Sara Pennypacker
 & Jon Mitchell
Chapter book
Flat Stanley: The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery is a good choice of text for a younger class or for less confident readers. In this quick-paced adventure, the well-loved flat main character Stanley is airmailed to Egypt to search the great pyramids for ancient treasure at the request of an archaeologist. Adventure awaits as Stanley finds himself in a new fix, this time involving underground tomb, ancient treasure and impressive pyramids.
Saviour Pirotta
 & Jo Lindley
Chapter book
Renni and Mahu are brothers, but they are complete opposites. When Mahu hatches a plot to rob the tomb of a long-dead general in the Valley of the Kings, Renni is swept into the crime to help his family. But taking the general's heart scarab sets a much greater chain of events into motion, which are governed by dark and mysterious powers. Will the brothers and their friend Balaal manage to return it before Anubis, the god of death, comes to collect their souls? Or will they, and the general, be cast into the Great Darkness forever?

David Long
 & Stefano Tambellini
Dyslexia-friendly Non-fiction
On 4 November 1922, a young Egyptian boy working on Howard Carter's archaeological dig in the Valley of the Kings stumbled across a strange piece of rock. On closer inspection it turned out to be a stone step that would lead Carter to a long-lost tomb - and to treasures beyond his wildest dreams.The tomb belonged to boy pharaoh Tutankhamun and was packed full of priceless artefacts. It had been largely untouched for over 3,000 years and remains one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time. But did the opening of the tomb trigger a deadly curse?David Long's fact-filled account shows how Carter's amazing discoveries told us so much about life in Ancient Egypt.
Karen McCombie
 & Anneli Bray
Chapter book

For those studying Ancient Egypt as part of the KS2 history curriculum, this would make a good (quick) class read. This short read from dyslexia-friendly publisher Barrington Stoke is a time-slip novel about a community of village children and their families who live, work and play by the banks of the Nile, the Pharaoh’s palace shimmering in the distance. Modern-day schoolboy Seth comes tumbling into their world, dragging himself out of the crocodile-infested river and coming face-to-face with a hyena.

The font style and overall design will also suit those with dyslexia, which is apt since main character Seth struggles at school. He can’t focus on lessons and thus begins a prank that lands him on the muddy banks of the Nile, far removed from his teacher Mr Ali, his baby sister Freema and his beloved cat Muppet. The way back isn’t at all clear, so, while he works it out, he’ll just have to muddle along with Mery, the Egyptian girl he first meets, and her family, who are soon busily preparing for Pharaoh Akhenaten’s visit to their neighbourhood. The exact details of their celebration – as well as other aspects of life in Ancient Egypt – has Seth questioning not just his knowledge of history, but also customs that seem quite shocking. As readers, we are offered some ‘facts behind the story’; insights into Seth’s experience which might just help others when learning is a little challenging.

Author Karen McComibie also visited our blog to tell us more about the inspiration for the story.

Stephen Davies
Chapter book

The Ancient Egypt Sleepover is a fast-paced, easy read adventure story that is bound to engage any reader interested in history and museums, especially those who would love the opportunity to sleep in a museum overnight!

Told from the viewpoint of the main character Mo, who won a writing competition prize of a sleepover in a museum, this story makes many references to Ancient Egypt throughout its plot, in particular the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and the importance of Hieroglyphics. The use of hieroglyphics in the story was a nice addition and readers will certainly want to follow in Mo’s footsteps and have a go a creating their own coded hieroglyphic messages (there is further reference to hieroglyphs made by the author as part of his author’s notes which made for further interesting reading).

Stephen Davies’ choice of language used throughout the story make it accessible and understandable to all. Longer Egyptian words are broken down easily, making them easier to decode. The language also helps to bring the story to life: readers could really imagine themselves, just like Mo, getting up to all sorts of adventures in a museum like this. The author also weaves ancient historical discoveries with the modern-day wonder and awe of the children finding out about the past.  There is description in the book that could be used to inspire writing about the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb.

This would be a great additional classroom read for lower KS2 that could support or further learning about Ancient Egypt.

Picturebooks and graphic novels about Ancient Egypt

Joe Todd Stanton
Graphic Novel
This highly appealing text is a hybrid between picture book and graphic novel. It follows the story of young Marcy, who finds himself on a mission to save her father after he becomes trapped inside an Ancient Egyptian Sphinx. On her journey Marcy must learn to overcome her fears and challenge evil as she encounters hieroglyphs, Egyptian gods and ancient tombs as she goes about her quest. A gentle introduction to Ancient Egyptian mythology in the form of an exciting quest narrative.
Marcia Williams
Graphic Novel
Get to grips with nine intriguing key people from Ancient Egypt as Marcia Williams returns with her distinctive comic-book style to present exciting tales of gods, goddesses and pharaohs. These stories have plenty of humour and a great visual appeal, proving particularly popular for engaging reluctant readers. Subjects include Cleopatra, Tutankhamen, Ra and Isis.
Beverley Naidoo
 & Marjan Vafaeian
Picturebook
Beautifully retold by the award-winning author Beverley Naidoo, this earliest-known version of Cinderella is brought to life for the modern-day reader. Rhodopis is a Greek girl who is sold into slavery by bandits and taken to Egypt. Along the way she becomes friends with the storyteller Aesop and a host of playful animals. Her master gives her a pair of beautiful rose-red slippers, making three other servants jealous. But when Horus, the falcon, sweeps in to steal her slipper, Rhodopis has little idea that this act will lead her to the King of Egypt.
Patricia Cleveland-Peck
 & Isabel Greenberg
Graphic Novel

Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards, this is a comic style exploration of the story of an Egyptian king, and the 20th century explorer who found him. Discover the troubles Tutankhamun faced as a young king, his untimely death, and his legacy, which lay hidden for centuries. Pore over his treasures, learn the steps of mummification, and see Tutankhamun’s fascinating story bought to life. Travel through history with Howard Carter, on his quest to uncover Tutankhamun’s hidden tomb, his incredible discovery, and our continued hunt to understand and unearth the riches of Ancient Egyptian life.

Stephen Davies
 & Nuria Tamarit
Graphic Novel Non-fiction

Myths, Mummies and Magic in Ancient Egypt would make a great addition to your school’s history collection or in a classroom library. The book is illustrated throughout in shades of orange and blue, with helpful pages naming and describing the main players in Egyptian mythology and history, and topics such as mummification and hieroglyphics.

The main body of the book is given over to mythical and historical stories told as comic strips, from the creation myth through to Cleopatra. These are simply illustrated and narrated in boxes above, with many funny asides in speech bubbles from the characters (and so many puns).

We like the way the stories have been simplified without losing the sense of other-world mysticism; confident readers from Year 3 upwards would find this a great way of picking up these tales for the first time. Readers familiar with Ancient Egypt will enjoy the humour and there’s a good dash of obscure fact to add to their knowledge.


Non-fiction books about Ancient Egypt

Jonny Marx
 & Chaaya Prabhat
Non-fiction
A novelty information book digging deeper into the topic of Ancient Egypt. With flaps to lift on every page and vibrant illustrations of Egyptian scenes, there's plenty to keep little hands busy and curious minds at work, as topics include mummification, pharaohs, culture and mythology.
James Davies
Non-fiction
A picture-book style non-fiction text about the Ancient Egyptian people. Each page has a short chunk of text accompanied by simple, bold illustrations or infographics. Humorous and stylish without compromising on factual content, this book is a popular choice with reluctant or younger readers.
Dugald Steer
Non-fiction
This is a beautiful and unusual hands-on text that will engage and enchant pupils and teachers alike. Egyptology recounts the lost expedition of Emily Sands in her 1926 scrapbook journal. Through flaps, envelopes and interactive extras, readers will encounter jewels, mummy cloth, hieroglyphs and a working board game. Egyptology brings art, literacy and history together in a stunning and imaginative way. This book is a real gem and certainly one with the wow factor.
David Long
 & Harry Bloom
Non-fiction

A treasure trove of information about Ancient Egypt presented in a seek-and-find format, with a magnifying glass included (because “every Egyptologist needs a magnifying glass”). This fun and interactive book includes 16 scenes depicting daily life for the Ancient Egyptians, each with hundreds of miniature cartoon-style figures going about their daily activities. Readers familiar with the Where’s Wally? books will dive right in without hesitation as they search for different characters, animals, symbols and objects that all build up to create a detailed picture of different aspects of life in Ancient Egypt.

Chae Strathie
 & Marisa Morea
Non-fiction

Published in collaboration with The British Museum, this children’s information book offers a humorous and informative introduction to daily life in Ancient Egypt and has a high appeal to readers in KS2. The book compares modern-day life for children to different aspects of daily life for the Ancient Egyptians, including clothes and hairstyles, education, family life, pets, food and hobbies. . An enjoyable information text that would appeal to children in KS2, this is the kind of book .that helps young readers to move beyond hard facts and begin to reflect on what life might have felt like for those living in ancient times.


Sally Jane Morgan
 & James Weston Lewis
Non-fiction

Telling a story that continues to fascinate young and old readers alike, this powerfully visual book tells the story of the boy Pharaoh, Tutankhamun. The book explores the story and legacy of Tutankhamun as well as Howard Carter’s ground-breaking discovery of the tomb and the treasures within. The pages are mostly set in eye-catching yellows and blues, evoking the dry heat of the desert set against the powerful Nile.

Philip Steele
 & Eugenia Nobati
Non-fiction

This superb book takes you into the world of the Ancient Egyptians through the artefacts left behind and shines a light on some of the most fascinating mysteries of the time by focusing on historical sourcework. Every double page features an object from history (themed around topics such as daily life, royalty, beliefs, farming, and famous objects such as Tutankhamun’s mask) with text split into bullet points, a fact file about the relics shown and stunning artwork showing the different artefacts in detail.

Each fact file gives today’s location of the artefact and a size guide for reference. A hand-drawn map with picture symbols at the back of the book is also useful as it shows where these objects were found and allows the reader to understand how the items are connected. Moreover, the text is written in short sentences organised by bullet points means that it’s easy to digest the information being presented. The illustrations are excellent and, given that there aren’t any photos in this book, they provide a detailed view of the objects. A recommendable non-fiction book covering a comprehensive range of areas likely to come up in a KS2 history topic on Ancient Egypt.

Tom Froese
Non-fiction
Unwrap the mysteries of ancient Egyptian mummies in this fascinating gift book from the British MuseumWhat is a mummy? How exactly were they made? And is there really such a thing as a mummy's curse? Find out the answers to these questions and many more, in this gruesome guide to the mummification process. Filled with grisly detail, you'll uncover secrets of the embalmers, tales of the tomb robbers and even what happened when pets were mummified! Meet some famous mummies from around the world, from Tutankhamun to the 'unlucky mummy', and find out what happened when archaeologists discovered mummies thousands of years after they were buried . . .With a glorious gold foil cover and quirky colour illustrations on every page, children aged 7+ will enjoy learning lots more about mummies!
Jean Menzies
 & Katie Ponder
Non-fiction

Egyptian Myths is a brilliant book to accompany KS2 history topics about Ancient Civilisations. It looks stunning; with its black cover and golden spine, and is packed with stories from Egypt, which have been retold in a way accessible to younger readers. The stories have their fair share of mythical creatures, terrible consequences and gruesome endings, all of which are completely captivating to read and perfect to share aloud.

The illustrations are rich in colour and pay homage to hieroglyphics in their style, but are slightly cartoonesque too, enabling children to grasp some of the quite complicated ancient plot lines and characters. Author Jean Menzies has organised the stories into categories, which also helps the target audience to navigate the book. There are chapters devoted to gods, pharaohs and even one on ‘mortals’.

The final chapter is most valuable, as it gives the reader a series of double-page infographics which detail some of the historical content; such as mummification and ‘the journey of the dead’. These are brightly coloured and far more appealing than most glossaries. This section contains so many pieces of additional information that can certainly be applied to writing activities in the classroom. The final spread is a list of Egyptian vocabulary with anglicised pronunciation underneath, which will be invaluable to most teachers when they start this topic.

David Owen
 & Steph Marshall
Non-fiction

What would you be in Ancient Egypt? is a fantastic book for anyone wanting to learn more about Ancient Egyptians and their daily life. The book begins with a simple timeline and an introduction that explains that real men and women got married, worked their jobs and had families during this time so there is much more to learn than just mummification and the pharaohs. Each double-page spread then focuses on different types of people or professions during the Ancient Egyptian era.

The author, David Owen, selects a range of different occupations including focusing on agriculture, food and drink, war and weapons, art and crafts and medicine and health. This means there will be something to interest different children. Each page is illustrated simply but effectively by Steph Marshall and displays the information in a range of ways to engage the reader, including fact boxes and speech bubbles.

The book is full of interesting facts and details about all aspects of Egyptian daily life and job roles and would be an excellent resource for anyone studying this period. With a clear contents page and an index page, the book is easy to navigate. There is also the fun feature of a two-page quiz at the back of the book to test the knowledge acquired.


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