Science in Ancient Egypt

Children's Literature - Susan Hepler
Six chapters divide various Ancient Egyptian accomplishments into categories such as the Nile, building pyramids, early math, astronomy and time, medicine, and contributions to society. For example, the science used to measure floods, gauge time, move large limestone blocks up inclined planes, and mummify a body are explained. While the book would benefit from more drawings of how things work, the text explains enough to give middle elementary and older readers a basic understanding of, for instance, how the ancient Egyptians measured an odd-shaped field or what mathematics they substituted for place value. A glossary, index, and a modest selection of children's book nonfiction references also are included. Valuable as a resource for children as young as third grade, the book's primary audience seems to be slightly older children who have a deeper knowledge of mathematics (area, perimeter, place value) and the world in general.