Pharaohs Boat

by David L. Weitzman

School Library Journal Gr 3-6-Weitzman recounts the construction of a boat made for the Pharaoh Cheops and discusses its rediscovery and restoration in the 20th century. He weaves the history, texts, mythology, and customs of ancient Egypt into an effective narrative, drawing readers in through the processes used to build the vessel, which the Egyptians believed would guide Cheops to the afterlife. This step-by-step presentation breathes life into the history, shedding light on the motives and methods employed by the craftsmen. In addition, the author records the accomplishments of Egyptologist Ahmed Youssef Moustafa, revealing his passion and problem-solving abilities, such as visiting local boat builders in an attempt to decipher how to reconstruct the artifacts. The volume's stylized illustrations are inspired by the two-dimensional depictions from ancient Egyptian art. The paintings' earth tones, accentuated by bright greens and blues, are both appropriate for the subject matter and pleasing to the eye; the boat becomes more complete with each turn of the page. Finally, foldout pages reveal the pharaoh's boat in full restoration. Visual aids clarify the use and function of a toggle, an adze, a bow drill, etc. Pharaoh's Boat offers a unique glimpse into a common activity in ordinary ancient Egyptian life (boat building) instead of being just another book about mummies and pyramids.-Jeff Meyer, Slater Public Library, IA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Book list *Starred Review* Part mystery, part ancient history, this handsome book takes readers back in time, first to 1954, when workmen at the Great Pyramid of Giza notice a wall that seems to hide something. Then it's back to the reign of the pharaoh Cheops, who needs a boat to take him to the afterlife. In precise yet at times almost poetic language, Weitzman explains the whys of building a vessel for the pharaoh and in amazing textual and illustrative detail shows the ways it was accomplished everything from the tools used to the placement and lashing of the timbers. After the boat was finished, it was then taken apart and put in carved lime pits, the pieces carefully layered for easy reassembly by Cheops as he embarked upon his journey. It was this careful protection that allowed the preserved boat to be rediscovered in 1954 and, under the direction of the Restoration Department of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, reconstructed. An interesting sidelight explains the struggle the chief of that department had getting a job there as an Egyptian. Skillful illustrations, many in the style of hieroglyphics, some in contemporary settings, demand attention. The typeface is small, but readers will be so intrigued it won't deter them from this fascinating mix of archaeology and technology.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2009 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

Book list *Starred Review* Part mystery, part ancient history, this handsome book takes readers back in time, first to 1954, when workmen at the Great Pyramid of Giza notice a wall that seems to hide something. Then it's back to the reign of the pharaoh Cheops, who needs a boat to take him to the afterlife. In precise yet at times almost poetic language, Weitzman explains the whys of building a vessel for the pharaoh and in amazing textual and illustrative detail shows the ways it was accomplished everything from the tools used to the placement and lashing of the timbers. After the boat was finished, it was then taken apart and put in carved lime pits, the pieces carefully layered for easy reassembly by Cheops as he embarked upon his journey. It was this careful protection that allowed the preserved boat to be rediscovered in 1954 and, under the direction of the Restoration Department of the Egyptian Antiquities Service, reconstructed. An interesting sidelight explains the struggle the chief of that department had getting a job there as an Egyptian. Skillful illustrations, many in the style of hieroglyphics, some in contemporary settings, demand attention. The typeface is small, but readers will be so intrigued it won't deter them from this fascinating mix of archaeology and technology.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2009 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.