I Am the Mummy Heb-Nefert

by Eve Bunting, David Christiana (Illustrator)

Clad in flowing linen robes, adorned with jewels, pampered by servants, Heb-Nefert led a life of leisure and joy with her royal husband on the banks of the Nile. Now she lies, a mummy, encased in glass in a museum, and recalls the days of long ago. “A mummy’s moving soliloquy on youth, love and the fleeting nature of life is the centerpiece of this hauntingly beautiful picture book.”-- Publishers Weekly

Genres: Picture Books, Egypt, Historical Fiction, Poetry, Childrens, Juvenile, Cultural

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Also known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.

Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.

Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.

In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.

Reviews

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is certainly one of my favorite picture books. I liked it so much the first time I read it almost twenty years ago that I typed out all the words and pasted them in a book of literary mementos. The illustrations are fine, but it's Bunting's words that stand out here. She's written a lovely and poignant lyric poem, that could share a spot with the dramatic monologues of Robert Browning. It's nominally about a mummy, a female ruler 3,000 years ago named Heb-Nefert, and you learn much about her life and death (and intricate preparations of her body after death). But Bunting is also writing about ever present change, and time, and existential knowledge of one's own demise. It's heavy stuff for a picture book, but her poetry is so beautiful that it counters the heaviness.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am the mummy Heb-Nefert,
Black as night,
Stretched as tight
As leather on a drum.

[Lee]

I think this was supposed to be the Balleywhinney Girl of mummies, but it just doesn't hit for me very well, and I'm not sure why.

[MH · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite of Eve Bunting's books, not quite a picture book, almost poetry, it's a very evocative tale of an Egyptian woman told from the after-life. Narrated in the first person, it has an eerie tone to it making a wonderful read-aloud for older elementary or adolescents. Like a poem, there is much to be understood between the lines. A pleasure to read aloud.

[Leighbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really stunning, undersung children's book, albeit one whose poignancy might not register with many of the kids it's ostensibly intended for. I think, while very easy reading, most 5-and-under kiddos won't appreciate this; it's more suitable for 6-10 year-olds (and older! this adult certainly loved it), especially the inquisitive, emotionally mature ones. Brings ancient Egypt to life, and each evocatively illustrated page, every poetic yet simple line, really feels like a vivid wisp of someone's precious memories.

[Diana Wilder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love picture books for children. I have collected them for years. The term 'for children' is a little incorrect. Everyone can love them, and this book is no exception. The prose is lyrical, though melancholy, and it could stand alone.

The illustrations, however, take the cake. David Christensen (will check and correct) is familiar to me. The colors, the forms, the mood, all are wonderful, lyrical, satisfying.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure this is a book a child would pick up unless they loved studying ancient Egypt. Good example of a higher level short text written in verse or an exemplar text for beautiful language choice.

I think it would build background knowledge, but you also need a great deal of background knowledge to understand some portions.

Great opportunities for teaching inference with text evidence.

[skcocnaH · Rating 1 out of 5]

My five year old pointed out the one servant lady’s nipples. So that was fun. But, we talk about different bodies in our house… that wasn’t that big of a deal. No, the 1 star is because this “children’s book” reads kinda like a bad drunken poetry open mic night at a hipster club. 0/10 would not recommend.

[Danihelle Draklyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a childrens book when I got it, but it is still beautifully written!

[Cheryl]

because Shawn Thrasher's review

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book lacks some historical information--when Heb-Nefert lived, what kind of person she was, why she apparently died so young--the rich illustrations and poetic text are vivid reminders that ancient history has stories to tell us. Told by the mummy, Heb-Nefert, the text begins with the mummy as we see it and then moves backward through time to tell the story of the woman's life. It focuses primarily on how she was dressed and what she would have looked like, rather than on her political status or achievements, but the story touches on social-class distinctions, death rituals, and leisure time in ancient Egypt.

[Rebecca Hawkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the way this book is written it is very poetic. This book tells the reader what it was like for Heb-Nefert being an Egyptian princess, but it lacked a lot of historical topics for being a biography in my opinion. It didn't tell us much about who she was and what she did in her life or even how she died for that matter, all it told about was how beautiful and in love she was and what her day to day activities were. I think this book may be hard for younger children to stay interested in.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gave me chills! Ever seen a mummy in the museum and thought "Gross!"? This book is from the perspective of the mummy and reminds us that what we are seeing is someone who once lived as we do, and that we too will "go the way of the earth". Good to read before the next mummy museum trip.
"I once was beautiful".

[Meegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I love mummies. I loved the poetic form and the delicate descriptions of Heb-Nefert’s belief in life after death. I would read this to children starting in grade five up to college. The concepts would be a bit hard to grasp for younger audiences, but there is a lot to learn from this book.

[Tria Keys · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book too. This is one of my first books that i have ever read and acually liked. now that i finally found the name of this book, i can continue to read it since i am an adult now. I can pass it on to my little brothe who is 6...hope he will like it :)

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a picture and it follows Heb-Mefert, who we follow through her life until she becomes a mummy and is put on display in a museum.

Really wonderful and beautifully written. It's a great picture book

[Andrea M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book paints word pictures to go with the illustrations about what life was like for an Egyptian princess turned mummy. It really draws you into the world of the Egyptians in a beautiful way.

[Mary Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book wasn't my favorite, it was interesting. It followed the process of an Egyptian woman becoming a mummy, but the view point was from her even after she passed away. So it may be a bit confusing and scary for young children.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting prose. I don't know if the kids liked it or not.

[Lesley Looper · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations in this book are a highlight!

[Shivani · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book!!!! favorite pic book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! must read.....

[Alison Weinreb]

Beautiful lessons, and in poetry, and packed with info. about Egypt.

[Brigette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic and beautiful...gives life to the dead and serves as a reminder that a dusty, decayed mummy was once a real live person.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book but not as sure about my 6yo son. It didn't seem to capture him. Maybe when he's older.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haunting and beautifully illustrated. Some pages read better than others, but the overall effect is well done.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heb-Nefert in her mummified state, recalls and tells and shares the story of her life before and after her death to the readers.