Living Books List: 24 Ancient Egypt Books for Kids

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I have to admit that I didn’t enjoy history at all when I was in school. It was all memorizing dates and dry facts. Going through it with me kids with a more hands-on approach makes is so much more enjoyable. And, I’m learning as much as they are.

Here’s a peek at some of the living books we used throughout our study of Ancient Egypt. On this list, you’ll find books that make great read-alouds as well as books that younger and older readers can enjoy indepedently .

Living Books List: Ancient Egypt

We’re Sailing Down the Nile – With seven exciting destinations, a god or goddess on each page, and informative notes at the end, you will be an Egypt expert in no time!

Bill and Pete Go Down the Nile – It’s a new school year, and Bill and Pete are back in a new adventure. Their teacher, Ms. Ibis, is taking all the little crocodiles (and their toothbrushes) on a class trip to the Royal Museum. Can Bill and Pete save the day once more?

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

The Egyptian Cinderella – Poor Rhodopis! She has nothing – no mother or father, and no friends. She is a slave, from the far-off country of Greece. Only the beautiful rose-red slippers her master gives her can make Rhodopis smile…

Tut’s Mummy – Beginning with the death of Tutankhamen, the book moves forward to archaeologist Howard Carter’s discovery of the tomb.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Pyramid Builder – You (the reader) are an Egyptian peasant who farms for your wealthy landlord. During the wet season you are ordered to help build the pharaoh’s tomb. As a pyramid builder you will get an insider’s look at what it took to build these massive monuments, such as excavating stone blocks, hauling stones to the site and setting them, masonry work, painting, and sculpting.

If I Were a Kid in Ancient Egypt – If I Were a Kid in Ancient Egypt takes readers through daily life in a vibrant culture that pioneered paper, linen, irrigation, medicine, and much more, and shows how these inventions came about and how they affected the culture’s younger citizens.

Tutankhamen’s Gift – A simply written account of one of Egypt’s most fabled kings follows Tutankhamen from his frail childhood through his brief but magnificent reign.

Seeker of Knowledge: The Man Who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs – In 1802, Jean-Francois Champollion was eleven years old. That year, he vowed to be the first person to read Egypt’s ancient hieroglyphs. Champollion’s dream was to sail up the Nile in Egypt and uncover the secrets of the past, and he dedicated the next twenty years to the challenge.

Temple Cat – A temple cat in ancient Egypt grows tired of being worshiped and cared for in a reverent fashion and escapes to find genuine affection with a fisherman and his children.

The 5,000 Year Old Puzzle: Solving a Mystery of Ancient Egypt – It is 1924, two years after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. Readers are invited to join a young boy, Will Hunt, as he and his family become part of an archaeological team led by world-famous Egyptologist Dr. George Reisner.

Mummies in the Morning – Jack and Annie don’t need another mummy. But that’s what they get when the Magic Tree House whisks them back to ancient Egypt. There they meet a long-dead queen who needs their help. Will Jack and Annie be able to solve the puzzle, or will they end up as mummies themselves?

Mummies and Pyramids – Why did people make mummies? What was the mysterious writing on mummy cases? How did most ancient Egyptians spend their days? How were the pyramids built? Find out the answers to these questions and more as Jack and Annie track the facts.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy – As an ancient Egyptian, your body is being prepared for the afterlife. But it’s fairly disgusting business, and you can’t be sure that you will always be treated with respect.

You Wouldn’t Want to Be Cleopatra – Get ready…you’re a princess born into the Egyptian royal family. But it’s not easy living in the palace. From family betrayals to Roman generals you will discover it’s not easy being Cleopatra!

You Wouldn’t Want to Be Cursed By King Tut – Valley of the Kings, Egypt, 1922: Archaeologist Howard Carter and his employer Lord Carnarvon discover the tomb of the boy pharaoh Tutankhamen. But when Lord Carnarvon dies suddenly, there are rumors that the tomb is cursed! Is it true, or is there a logical explanation for everything?

The Well of Truth: A Folktale from Egypt – When Goat, Rooster, and Donkey decide to try their hand at farming, all goes well until Donkey’s appetite gets the best of him.

The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt – The Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt explains how archaeologists have pieced together their discoveries to slowly reveal the history of Egypt’s people, its pharaohs, and its golden days.

Who Built the Pyramids? – Packed with pictures, concise text and reader activities, the book brings ancient Egypt to life. It also looks at how we know about life along the Nile over 5,000 years ago.

Egypt ABCs: A Book About the People and Places of Egypt – An alphabetical exploration of the people, geography, animals, plants, history, and culture of Egypt.

Gift of the Nile – In ancient Egypt, Mutemwia the slave girl befriends Pharaoh and becomes his trusted counsel. But she is unhappy because she is not free. Will Pharaoh grant this gift to his friend?

Who Was King Tut? – This Who Was . . . ? is complete with 100 black-and-white illustrations and explains the life and times of this ancient Egyptian ruler, covering the story of the tomb’s discovery, as well as myths and so-called mummy curses.

Mummies, Pyramids, and Pharaohs: A Book About Ancient Egypt – Provides an overview of life in ancient Egypt, describing the people, daily activities, beliefs and customs, and what has been learned from artifacts left behind.

Pyramids! 50 Hands-On Activities to Experience Ancient Egypt – Today’s kids actively experience the wonders of ancient Egypt. Games, food, clothing and creative activities involve children in the exploration of life in a ancient society.

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