Mario and Amelia are the tour guides who set out on
adventures along the trails walking in the ‘footsteps
of the Ancient Romans’. Parades of triumphs are celebrated. Rivers, fountains,
natural surroundings, statues (with odd parts missing), and lots of
architecture are looked at.
Each area is explored and historical information is
shared with light-heartedness and lots of humour (very much like the Horrible
Histories). There are countless incredible statistics associated with the
sights of each guided trail. These are supported by a mixture of illustrations
and pictures that fill each double spread.
Looking up, there are things above such as
rooftops, domes of churches and palaces, paintings on ceilings, oculi, and
shooting stars seen from Pincian Hill.
Beneath your feet, well below the ground, are many
catacombs, hidden excavations, mummies and burial chambers, and areas where
gladiators trained. There is so much for kids to learn while being entertained
visually and verbally, even with the grisly side of Rome.
There are mysteries and histories, architecture
revisited, lots of ruins, and ruined and murdered Emperors to read about. On
food trails, there are walks and shops and resting places to choose from. All
this is introduced in a vigorous narrative voice by Marco and Amelia who turn up in many scenes as
they make their way along the trails, guiding the reader to the many secret
places.
I loved this page-turner with its plethora of
information. It was so easy to read, and never became boring. It is a part of a
series of City Trails visited. Check out the list and even if you are not
travelling to any of these places, the books are better than having collected
volumes of history, as you to learn the backstory of cities and their crazy secrets
that wait to be uncovered.
Title:
Rome: City Trails
Author:
Moira Butterfield
Illustrator:
Dynamo Limited
Publisher:
Lonely Planet Kids, $19.99
Publication
Date: October 2017
Format: Paperback
ISBN:
9781786579638
For
ages: 8+
Type:
Non Fiction
