Ancient Rome

January 1, 2003
Gr 1-2-Two easy-to-read books, with two paragraphs per page set in large type. Each one begins with a simplified color map of the area. On each spread, a page of text faces a full-color photo or reproduction. These "chapters" address geography, history, clothing, religion, government, jobs, arts, and archaeology. Additionally, Egypt has a page on the importance of the Nile River, while Rome includes a bit about Roman entertainment. Although these books contain some worthwhile facts, the information is often too vague and uneven in its specificity. In Egypt's section on jobs, the first sentence is "Farming was the most common work-," but there is no mention anywhere in the book about what crops were produced. In Rome, the chapter does mention that farmers "-grew wheat, barley, grapes, and olives" and "raised sheep, goats, pigs, and other animals." In the daily life section, however, the wealthier Romans are said to have eaten "-vegetables with meat or fish, and sweet cakes for dessert." One is left trying to imagine what kinds of vegetables and what types of sweet cakes. Lucilla Watson's The Egyptians (Rourke, 1986; o.p.) has more information.-Lynda Ritterman, Atco Elementary School, Waterford, NJ

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