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You Wouldn't Want to Be ...
You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy! : Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know
A light-hearted approach to the process of mummification in ancient Egypt.
32 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2001
About the author
David Stewart
425 books17 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 30, 2013
Ok, first things first. This book is filled with disgusting things. It does not pull punches at all, and my first response to this book was, "Ew! Gross!" My second response was, "Interesting! Ew! Gross! I can't read this to the kids! It will freak them out!" So I put it back on the shelf until I felt my niece could handle it.
A year later, and my niece is ready for it, so I checked this out for her and let her read it, but with the strict instruction that she was not to read this to her five year old brother. She heeded my instruction, and read the book on her own. She told me that she finished it today, and I asked her what she thought. "Well, it was very disgusting," she said, "and you're right, it would totally freak my brother out. But it was also very interesting, and I really liked it. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians even mummified their animals?!"
So, there you have it. Very interesting and educational, but very gross. This is probably the most graphic book that we've yet read in the You Wouldn't Want to... series, but kids at just that right age do love disgusting stuff. And let's face it, history is full of gross things.
A year later, and my niece is ready for it, so I checked this out for her and let her read it, but with the strict instruction that she was not to read this to her five year old brother. She heeded my instruction, and read the book on her own. She told me that she finished it today, and I asked her what she thought. "Well, it was very disgusting," she said, "and you're right, it would totally freak my brother out. But it was also very interesting, and I really liked it. Did you know that the ancient Egyptians even mummified their animals?!"
So, there you have it. Very interesting and educational, but very gross. This is probably the most graphic book that we've yet read in the You Wouldn't Want to... series, but kids at just that right age do love disgusting stuff. And let's face it, history is full of gross things.
August 28, 2025
on brand
December 4, 2019
Good if you like history
January 18, 2026
I ran across this picture book in my and my wife’s combined children’s bookshelf from when our kids were, uh, kids. My 3-year-old granddaughter picked it out to read, but it appeared too mature for her. Nonetheless, I was intrigued by the topic, recalling an episode of NOVA or the like in which a person had donated his body to science and was being mummified. Fascinating process.
The book is from Scholastic, which to me signifies a certain level of quality and age-appropriate content. It does indeed take the reader from the moment of death through the removal and encasing of organs, to the drying-out of skin, to the wrappings and entombment. While the content may seem gross, the drawings are done with a minimum of detail and a great deal of humor. I learned much more than I had known, including options for the wrapping depending on the wealth (or not) of the “occupant,” as well as how fancy his or her tomb was, and other options such as professional mourners, the amount of decoration on the coffin, tools of the trade, and which organs go into which alabaster jars, named for various appropriate gods.
I greatly enjoyed this little book and would recommend it for a youth perhaps a few years older than my granddaughter, but I’d also recommend it for readers like you and me, lot of interesting stuff. Five stars.
The book is from Scholastic, which to me signifies a certain level of quality and age-appropriate content. It does indeed take the reader from the moment of death through the removal and encasing of organs, to the drying-out of skin, to the wrappings and entombment. While the content may seem gross, the drawings are done with a minimum of detail and a great deal of humor. I learned much more than I had known, including options for the wrapping depending on the wealth (or not) of the “occupant,” as well as how fancy his or her tomb was, and other options such as professional mourners, the amount of decoration on the coffin, tools of the trade, and which organs go into which alabaster jars, named for various appropriate gods.
I greatly enjoyed this little book and would recommend it for a youth perhaps a few years older than my granddaughter, but I’d also recommend it for readers like you and me, lot of interesting stuff. Five stars.
September 8, 2012
This is a fun and educational book that puts you as the reader into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was like. It's a humorous tale, although the details of preparing a body for mummification in Ancient Egypt can be rather disgusting.
There are a lot of facts, but the text is arranged so that there are plenty of pictures to look at and it's not overwhelming. We enjoyed this book and will look for more of the books in the You Wouldn't Want To... series.
There are a lot of facts, but the text is arranged so that there are plenty of pictures to look at and it's not overwhelming. We enjoyed this book and will look for more of the books in the You Wouldn't Want To... series.
November 20, 2010
I love this whole series for the way they present information. They relate to the reader in a friendlier, easier to read manner.The carefree chapter titles and the cartoon pictures often make the gory time period not so morbid and crass. However, the book is full of facts, and I feel the information is more enjoyable presented this way( ie-the embalming of a mummy). This book also has a table of contents and index, so finding the specific information you are looking for is easy to find.
March 4, 2009
This is probably my favorite book in the series. It's overflowing with information about the entire process of mummies. Filled with great illustrations and humor, this book will appeal to any age reader. I learned so much that I had no clue when it came to the process that people went through to enjoy their afterlife. A great read!
February 20, 2011
This is a great book for kids that gives them an idea of what would happen to an Ancient Egyptian after death. Most of the focus is on the rich Egyptians, but there is some info on what the poor Egyptians would do. Not as good as some others in the series as the shock value isn't as strong given that the "victims" of mummification were already dead.
February 4, 2017
If you teach social studies or have kids in upper elementary or lower middle school, this series is fantastic. Chock full of information and funny/gross, kids will eat these up and learn an amazing amount about ancient civilizations in the process. I will spend my summer thinking of ways to incorporate all of these books into my units next year.
October 22, 2017
Quick read with fun facts! I was surprised to learn that person had to collect the linens that would eventually wrap them as a mummy for most of their life. You could even the linens second hand from the Egyptian temples who rewrapped every day.
March 30, 2013
I've read this with multiple third grade classes now and they all enjoyed it. They are some gross readers. They relish the parts that are most disgusting in my eyes.
February 7, 2017
All the things you wanted to know about making a mummy. One of the best books in the series.
February 4, 2017
While all the books in this series are good, this one is the best yet and taught me some details about mummification that I didn't know. I would definitely not want to be a slicer!
December 30, 2021
خوب این یکسری کتاب هست که نظرم رو از کل مجموعه میگم. داخل ایران فقط ۱۲ جلد این کتاب ترجمه شده با اسم (آیا دلتان میخواهد......... بودید؟)
یه کتاب کم حجم و جالب! کلی مطالب علمی و واقعی تاریخی که بدون اینکه حتی یه کم هم دلتون زده بشه یا بخوایید دیگه نخونید، وقتی این کتاب رو دستتون بگیرید تا آخر میخونید و زمان خیلی کمی هم از ما میگیره.
اگه داخل ریدینگ اسلامپ باشید این کتاب ها پیشنهاد خیلی خوبیه که بتونه شما رو از ردینگ اسلامپ در بیاره و برای دوره های امتحانی مثل دی و خرداد ماه. فکر معروف ترین جلد این سری جلد همین کتاب هست.(آیا دلتان میخواهر مومیایی مصری بودید؟)
که خیلی دوست داشتنی و جالبه! مخصوصا اگه دلتون میخواد بدونه چجوری در گذشته مومیایی میکردن و چه رسم و رسومی داشتن. برای من که این جلد خیلی دوست داشتنی بود😍
بقیه جلدها هم خیلی خوب بود ولی یکی از جلد هم خیلی سطحی بود و باعث شد اذییت بشم، بهترین پیشنهادم اینکه بر اساس علایق خودتون یکسری از این جلدها رو انتخاب کنید برای خوندن چون غیراینصورت بعضی از جلدها برای شما خیلی چرت و مسخره بنظر میاد ولی ممکنه برای افراد دیگه خیلی جالب و هیجان انگیز باشه♡
یه کتاب کم حجم و جالب! کلی مطالب علمی و واقعی تاریخی که بدون اینکه حتی یه کم هم دلتون زده بشه یا بخوایید دیگه نخونید، وقتی این کتاب رو دستتون بگیرید تا آخر میخونید و زمان خیلی کمی هم از ما میگیره.
اگه داخل ریدینگ اسلامپ باشید این کتاب ها پیشنهاد خیلی خوبیه که بتونه شما رو از ردینگ اسلامپ در بیاره و برای دوره های امتحانی مثل دی و خرداد ماه. فکر معروف ترین جلد این سری جلد همین کتاب هست.(آیا دلتان میخواهر مومیایی مصری بودید؟)
که خیلی دوست داشتنی و جالبه! مخصوصا اگه دلتون میخواد بدونه چجوری در گذشته مومیایی میکردن و چه رسم و رسومی داشتن. برای من که این جلد خیلی دوست داشتنی بود😍
بقیه جلدها هم خیلی خوب بود ولی یکی از جلد هم خیلی سطحی بود و باعث شد اذییت بشم، بهترین پیشنهادم اینکه بر اساس علایق خودتون یکسری از این جلدها رو انتخاب کنید برای خوندن چون غیراینصورت بعضی از جلدها برای شما خیلی چرت و مسخره بنظر میاد ولی ممکنه برای افراد دیگه خیلی جالب و هیجان انگیز باشه♡
June 11, 2018
Did you know that the entire mummification process took 70 Days? Pardon me, but that's really disgusting!
I did know how that embalming process worked. I did not know the significance of each deity that was the head symbol of each jar. I didn't know about the weighing-of-the-heart (sort of like the Greek coins on the eyes). I did know vaguely about the discovery of Tut's tomb, grave robbers, and how explorers, excavators and demonstrators showed off discovered mummies.
There are featured timelines and other cool tidbits in this book, that for someone who enjoys world mythology was intrigued by this book. This would also be a great resource for homeschool or even school kids in October or I can't remember what month it is, but the discovery of boy King, Tut's, tomb.
I did know how that embalming process worked. I did not know the significance of each deity that was the head symbol of each jar. I didn't know about the weighing-of-the-heart (sort of like the Greek coins on the eyes). I did know vaguely about the discovery of Tut's tomb, grave robbers, and how explorers, excavators and demonstrators showed off discovered mummies.
There are featured timelines and other cool tidbits in this book, that for someone who enjoys world mythology was intrigued by this book. This would also be a great resource for homeschool or even school kids in October or I can't remember what month it is, but the discovery of boy King, Tut's, tomb.
December 2, 2018
Upper Primary
Informational
This was such a fun book! I really enjoyed reading through this book and learning about mummies! I think there is so much that could be done with this in a classroom, and that the book would keep students engaged. I appreciated the pictures within this book as well, I think they were fun and well illustrated and would absolutely help keep a child's attention while reading this book. I appreciated that this book was able to be engaging and informational at the same time
Informational
This was such a fun book! I really enjoyed reading through this book and learning about mummies! I think there is so much that could be done with this in a classroom, and that the book would keep students engaged. I appreciated the pictures within this book as well, I think they were fun and well illustrated and would absolutely help keep a child's attention while reading this book. I appreciated that this book was able to be engaging and informational at the same time
May 14, 2017
Reading and rereading children's books
This book is a fun and educational book that puts you as into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was really like. For kids its funny to me it was ok although the details of preparing a body for mummification in Ancient Egypt can be rather disgusting. My thoughts where eew.
This book is a fun and educational book that puts you as into the center of the story, so you can imagine what life in those times was really like. For kids its funny to me it was ok although the details of preparing a body for mummification in Ancient Egypt can be rather disgusting. My thoughts where eew.
August 7, 2017
Kid-friendly and appealing nonfiction book about mummification in Ancient Egypt.
January 2, 2020
That tidbit about King Tut's mummy was disgusting.
March 27, 2024
Great for teaching children about Ancient Egypt!
August 14, 2024
The book deals with the mummification process, after life of mummy and how did people treat with those mummies when they found.
March 22, 2017
This series is awesome! A fun way to learn history.
October 21, 2013
Title: “You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy! Disgusting things you’d rather not know" by David Stewart
Focus: Non-Fiction/Informational
1) Sequence: Steps to mummifying a body.
2) Descriptive: This book tells details about how ancient Egyptians mummified bodies.
Review:
You Wouldn’t Want to be an Egyptian Mummy! Disgusting things you’d rather not know by David Stewart tells step-by-step the process of mummifying a body. This book is laid out in a comic type way so that the information is more interesting to look at and learn about for children. Children will enjoy reading it and learn without know it. There is a story like description of what is happening and then there are pictures to the side of the pages that describes tools and processes. This book explains why the Egyptians mummified bodies and what happened to them after the process. There are several books in the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." series.
TEACH: CCSS
W.5.1. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.5.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Mini-Lesson:
I would read parts of the mentor text to the students. (Students will read the whole text on their own at a later time.) We would then discuss how the author structured this book and why he would choose to structure it in this way. Does this type of structure make you more interested in the content? Why or why not? The students would discuss these questions in think-pair-share. Then I will call on some students to share with the class during whole group. We will then talk about how they should think about things they know how to do: sports, ride bikes, fish, etc. We will then discuss how you would write about these subjects for different audiences. We will write our thinking on an anchor chart for students to refer to during their writing process. The students will decide what they want to write about in a step-by-step structure, the audience, and how they should structure their story out depending on their audience. Example: Some students may use a comic strip format if they are writing to children.
Expected Outcome:
Students will understand why it is important to think about audience when they are writing. Students will be able to describe step-by-step how to do a skill of their choice. They will use descriptive language.
Focus: Non-Fiction/Informational
1) Sequence: Steps to mummifying a body.
2) Descriptive: This book tells details about how ancient Egyptians mummified bodies.
Review:
You Wouldn’t Want to be an Egyptian Mummy! Disgusting things you’d rather not know by David Stewart tells step-by-step the process of mummifying a body. This book is laid out in a comic type way so that the information is more interesting to look at and learn about for children. Children will enjoy reading it and learn without know it. There is a story like description of what is happening and then there are pictures to the side of the pages that describes tools and processes. This book explains why the Egyptians mummified bodies and what happened to them after the process. There are several books in the "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." series.
TEACH: CCSS
W.5.1. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development and organization are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience. (Grade-specific expectations for writing types are defined in standards 1–3 above.)
W.5.3. Write narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or events using effective technique, descriptive details, and clear event sequences.
Mini-Lesson:
I would read parts of the mentor text to the students. (Students will read the whole text on their own at a later time.) We would then discuss how the author structured this book and why he would choose to structure it in this way. Does this type of structure make you more interested in the content? Why or why not? The students would discuss these questions in think-pair-share. Then I will call on some students to share with the class during whole group. We will then talk about how they should think about things they know how to do: sports, ride bikes, fish, etc. We will then discuss how you would write about these subjects for different audiences. We will write our thinking on an anchor chart for students to refer to during their writing process. The students will decide what they want to write about in a step-by-step structure, the audience, and how they should structure their story out depending on their audience. Example: Some students may use a comic strip format if they are writing to children.
Expected Outcome:
Students will understand why it is important to think about audience when they are writing. Students will be able to describe step-by-step how to do a skill of their choice. They will use descriptive language.
October 8, 2021
F&P Level R. High-interest book for reluctant readers. Would be great for small group.
October 3, 2012
This book was very informative. It told about the entire mummification process. Went into detail of the items needed and the idols that the Egyptians believed in and worshipped. It also talked about rituals that were held and what happened with the animals and pets that died. It also has a glossary in the back of the book.
I would use this book with older kids, around 3rd to 6th grade. The pictures will help the younger kids to follow along in the book and the glossary will help them with the vocabulary. For the older kids the new vocabulary will be exciting and enticing and the details will keep them interested.
Stewart, David, David Antram, and David Salariya. You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy!: Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know. New York: Franklin Watts, 2000. Print.
I would use this book with older kids, around 3rd to 6th grade. The pictures will help the younger kids to follow along in the book and the glossary will help them with the vocabulary. For the older kids the new vocabulary will be exciting and enticing and the details will keep them interested.
Stewart, David, David Antram, and David Salariya. You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy!: Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know. New York: Franklin Watts, 2000. Print.
October 3, 2012
I loved the hilarious take this book took on Egyptian life. It cover anything and envy thing you wanted to know about the Egyptian mummification process. I thought there was a lot of text on each page but the colorful pictures helped to balance it out. I would use this boo with 4-6 graders and would be great along side an Egyptian unit. The glossary in the back would be useful for kids to use when starting their research on the book but I would still recommend them to find another source. Still a great entertaining way to learn facts.
Stewart, David, David Antram, and David Salariya. You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy!: Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know. New York: Franklin Watts, 2000. Print.
Stewart, David, David Antram, and David Salariya. You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy!: Disgusting Things You'd Rather Not Know. New York: Franklin Watts, 2000. Print.
March 4, 2018
I have as many of this series as I can get my hands on -- they are an awesome resource for my 6th grade world history students. They look silly, but are anchored in researched facts, supporting the more challenging and dense texts students read. It's a great way to keep things fun, encourage developing readers, and get kids talking. This one anchors directly to the scientific (er, gross) process by which bodies were mummified, supporting a grade level standard of examining burial practices to understand Egyptian religious beliefs. I use this as a class resource for free reading or to demonstrate details, in support of learning from Brain Pop video "Mummies" and a BBC website "Mummy Maker" interactive game.
January 5, 2015
I read this one day at a coffee shop after popping in spontaneously to get a cup of tea and warm up.
As the title promises, much of the information in the book is disgusting and not for the child (or parent!) who is faint of heart. The disgusting information was interesting, however, and the illustrations were humorous.
I would have liked this book as a child fascinated by ancient Egypt. I would currently like to read a children's book with the word "disgusting" in the title about 21st century North American burial customs.
As the title promises, much of the information in the book is disgusting and not for the child (or parent!) who is faint of heart. The disgusting information was interesting, however, and the illustrations were humorous.
I would have liked this book as a child fascinated by ancient Egypt. I would currently like to read a children's book with the word "disgusting" in the title about 21st century North American burial customs.
February 13, 2022
This book was a fun way to get facts about the mummification process in ancient Egypt. I read this to my 3-5th grade class and they enjoyed the cartoon drawing and helpful hints that included many gory details. This was well done and the rest of the "You wouldn't want to..." series flew off the shelves. I would suggest this to any intermediate student that wants a different way to enjoy non-fiction.
June 28, 2013
A must-read for kids studying mummies. My struggling readers LOVED this book. Some of the sarcasm can be difficult to understand for ELLs or struggling readers, but all in all it's a high-interest, manageable book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews