Mummies Made in Egypt

by Aliki

Aliki describes and illustrates the techniques and the reasons for the use of mummification in ancient Egypt.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction, Egypt, Childrens, Ancient History, Ancient

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

About the author

Aliki has written and illustrated many books, both fiction and nonfiction, loved by readers throughout the world. The books were inspired by a word, an experience, or the desire to find out. Aliki lives in London, England.

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Packed with information - and attractive illustrations.

[Jennifer Ritchie]

One of those books I fell in love with as a kid after seeing it on Reading Rainbow. I couldn’t pass up a used copy with a library binding.

[Ebookwormy1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating, but sad book. The details of how the mummies were made are wonderful to ponder, but all the information about the motivation for preserving bodies (that the everlasting ba and ka might have a physical body to return to) are heartbreaking. What's even more heartbreaking is that most people living in ancient Egypt couldn't afford to be embalmed, and died thinking their lack of wealth separated them from their eternal destiny.

This is not to say the author/ artist hasn't done an excellent job in capturing the culture and practice of mummification for children. It just gave us an opportunity to discuss that Christianity and the practice of worship described by the Bible do not require material riches for salvation.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and informative. Excellent illustrations. Good explanations.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remembered this book from “Reading Rainbow” as a kid so I got a copy for my kids. Simply and clearly explained and handsomely illustrated, this book walks the reader through the process of mummification from death to entombment. Incorporates lots of good detail about the process itself as well as side topics like Egyptian religion and conceptions of the afterlife. All in all, a good introduction to ancient Egypt for kids. Pairs well with David Macaulay’s Pyramid.

[Kenneth Clayton · Rating 5 out of 5]

1st grade history with my 6 year old daughter. We enjoyed this. It shows brains being pulled out through nostrils with hook and intestines through cut in side! (Not in a gore manner) My daughter has been fascinated by ancient history.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Egyptian mummies from their origins (burying people in the sand) to their most elaborate (in giant pyramids in the Valley of the Kings).

I wish some of the text wasn't hand-written as part of the illustrations as I find it harder to read.

Lots of information.

[XIS Grade 3 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because it made me interested in Egypt. (Amber)

[Winni Ang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I WANT TO READ IT!!!!

[Elizabeth Schmitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview of both the mummification process and the ancient Egyptian cultural context, in clear language. The illustrations are in the style of the tomb paintings.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A descriptive book on mummification and preservation.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice drawings, very accurate! Told of how things were done and done now.

[Abrielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DISCOUSTING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing read if your are interested in mummification and love beautiful complex illustrations

[Draco Sanguinis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Si tienes interes sobre el proceso de las momias de egipto y quieres una lectura amena, este es un libro que cumplira su cometido, me gusto la forma clara de exponer el tema y sus ilustraciones.

[Sabura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Learned a lot as an adult. This is a discussion and read for older children, definitely.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Aliki’s illustrations and info packed books.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about how Egyptians made mummies and why.

Pretty interesting.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki Brandenberg describes and illustrates the techniques and reasons for the use of mummification in ancient Egypt. Ancient Egyptians believed that when someone died they would live in their tombs on earth but travel to live with gods and goddesses in another world.

The text is simple with solid information. The text is supplemented by additional information explaining the illustrations. Ceremonial customs, rituals, and symbols are explained and illustrated. An illustrated list of Gods and Goddesses of the Dead is included.

The detailed illustrations are clear and informative yet not too gory for juvenile readers. The thirty year old illustrations remind me of much newer graphic novel illustrations. Most illustrations are in color. A small map is included at the beginning of the book.

I really enjoyed this basic Reading Rainbow Book about mummification in ancient Egypt. I do wish there were reference sources given or a list of related books to read.

For readers 8 to 11, Ancient Egypt, mummification, death customs, and fans of Aliki Brandenberg.

[Anna J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mummies Made in Egypt by Aliki is a nonfiction picture book that describes the process of mummification. The pictures and concepts are clearly defined, making the book very informative and easy to understand. There are a few parts where it is a bit detailed in talking about cutting out organs and such, but, overall, it seems like a decent resource to use when discussing the Egyptian culture and belief system about death and the rituals that went along with mummification. Scholastic recommends this book for third through fifth grade. However, though it is an easy read for older students, I think, if older students want to learn about mummification, this book presents a nice simplified version for them to quickly read and retain.

[Sarah VanDyke]

An interesting book because it describes the embalming and mummification process. I was intrigued to know more and also shocked to read what is involved. I did not know that it took 70 days to do an embalming and that there were many coffins involved. The illustrations depicted paintings and sculptures found in tombs and described the text without being graphic. The book is recommended for grades 2-6, but I would utilize the book in the higher grades of the recommendation due to the topic and detail that is mentioned. The book can be used for research and as a possible read aloud.

[Evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this book. Can't tell you how much I loved this book (and thrilled to see other people who "wore their covers fuzzy" and wanted to be Egyptologists too!). I got this book at 5 or 6 (nuts to the reviewers who think it's "too creepy" or not good for kids under 13 or even 10!) and proceeded to inform everyone, even my school's headmistress, about mummification for weeks, if not months. I love, love, love this book. I think it helped make me the nerdy history/science/anthropology buff I am today. Get this book. Read this book. Give this book to your kids. Aliki is THE BEST.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wore the edges of this book fuzzy when I was a kid. I wanted to be an egyptologist and discover lost tombs (until we moved to Texas where is was very hot and I discovered I didn't like the heat - that's it for the desert)! I had delicious kid nightmares about the part where the brains got pulled out through the nose, and being wrapped up forever. I love it! I have a copy for my future-kids' shelf.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this countless times when I was a kid - there was a copy of it in my second grade class and it was a favorite of mine. I think it was the first text I had read that had described the process of mummification, and I was completely fascinated. Not sure how well it's aged over the years, but definitely a great introduction into Egyptology for kids.

[Brent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Available at Carlos Museum Bookshop -
http://carlos.emory.edu

Step by step, follow the process of mummification from the embalmer's slab, where the corpse was made ready, down into the tomb, where the mummy was sealed and sent to its new life in eternity. Written and brightly illustrated by the author of The Gods and Goddesses of Olympus.
Ages 8-12.

$6.95, softcover

[Shelem Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's a great book to teach kids about ancient Egypt. Kids will love to learn about mummies and how they were made and all. It's super interesting, fun to read, and the pictures are awesome. You feel like you're going on a field trip to Egypt! It would be really cool if after reading this book as a class, go to a museum or wrap dolls as if they were mummies. That'll be fun I think.

[Danelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom got me this book when I was young and impressionable and I absolutely LOVED it! Of course, it's geared more toward a third grader with a TON of pictures, but a really fascinating book on the mummification process. I LOVE THIS BOOK!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids really enjoyed this (and the Reading Rainbow episode which discusses the book). Has good illustrations with solid information without being disgusting like other mummy books.

We'll use this again for our ancient world studies.

[Ruth Barone · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent overview of how mummies are made (with detailed drawings) and where they were buried. My five year old was fascinated with this book and read it many times on her own after I read it to her the first time. Nice illustrations, clear text. Third or fourth grade reading level.

[Roxanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 6 year old son and I really liked this book. It did a good job explaining how mummies were created and why and what ancient Egyptians thought about the dead. Parts of it were kind of gross (which is always fun) and the book wasn't overly complicated. But we still learned a lot (me too!.