#blogbookaday: Nile Crossing

Summary:  “Khepri lives in ancient Egypt, happily fishing alongside his father in the waters of the Nile. But today, Khepri will have to replace his fishing pole with the reed pens of a scribe: it’s his first day of school. As he and his father travel to Thebes, Khepri faces his anxieties about starting school and eventually finds a sense of peace.
From the author of Brother Hugo and the Bear, this gorgeous and poignant book delivers a relatable story in an unusual historical setting. ” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: This was such an interesting book – the story of the first day of school for a young boy living in Ancient Egypt. The story itself is beautifully written, poetic in form and style and transports you to the Nile River as the young boy travels with his father to school. The illustrations have a texture behind them that lends the reader to believe they were draw on papyrus themselves and the style is reminiscent of Ancient Egyptian artifacts that you often see in museums around the world.

Personal Reaction: I really enjoyed this story and more importantly enjoyed the fact that the author provided even more information following the story about writing and school in Ancient Egypt as well as providing further reading options for those who would be interested. The author and illustrator also provided notes about what inspired them to create this story and a glossary of terms is also included for the reader. I’d love to see this picture book used during the first week of school as it would be a great story to break the ice and discuss how school is the same and different thousands of years apart.

Title: Nile Crossing
Author: Katy Beebe
Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 23, 2017

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!