'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Sunday 9 May 2021

Review: Ancient World Magnified

Explore ancient history with this fun, large format book, Ancient World Magnified.

It's a trip through time, and kind of like reading detailed postcards from the past, as far back as 50,000 BC.

The book comes with a handy and sturdy cardboard magnifiying glass (with 3x magnification), so that readers can look closely at the contents.

Hunt for a long list of things in the detailed illustrations. There are at least ten to find on each double-page spread.

In the Kingdom of Kush in north east Africa, also known as Nubia, young historians can hunt for ostriches, count pyramids, uncover hieroglyphics, and find seven other Nubian society features.

In the illustration of the Mayan civilisation there are farmers, carved stone tools, and cocoa beans which were used to make chocolate.

Other ancient civilisations featured in Ancient World Magnified include Olmec (in what is now Mexico), Greece, the Kingdom of Aksum (where today's Ethiopia can be found), the Xiongnu Empire (northern China), Carthage in the Mediterranean, the Indus Valley (in modern day India and Pakistan), and others.

There are 16 ancient civilisations in all, and the end of the book showcases a famous personality from each of them in a 'Gallery of Famous Figures'. A timeline, glossary, and answers section are also helpful.

Ancient World Magnified contains lots of entertainment combined with trivia, and just might be what sparks a love of history in the youngest of readers.

Title: Ancient World Magnified
Author: David Long
Illustrator: Andy Rowland
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions, $ 27.99
Publication Date: May 2021
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780711249707
For ages: 5+
Type: Junior Non-Fiction