Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-The book begins with a discussion of the historical founding of the city (there is no mention of the mythical story of Romulus and Remus); touches on various topics such as daily life, the home, and leisure; and ends with the fall of the Roman Empire and Rome as a modern city. Each topic is covered in a two-page chapter with an introductory paragraph and several sidebars. The detailed full-page paintings and spot art that appear throughout are clear and well labeled. On the whole, this book is similar to the "Eyewitness" series (DK), but written for younger students and with fewer pictures and captions. While there is not enough information here for in-depth reports, this attractive and engaging title could be used for simple assignments, as supplementary information, for its illustrations, or as leisure reading.-Lynda S. Poling, Long Beach Public Library, CA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
This book offers basic, chronologically organized information about Rome's beginnings, rulers, buildings, empire acquisition, daily life, capitulation to the Vandals, and legacy; it ends with a brief discussion of the evidence we have to support these facts. The illustrations range from a large-scale aerial view of the city to medallions showing the four layers of Roman roads. The result is an accurate if superficial introduction. Glos., ind. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Murrell packs an awful lot in this 30-page survey of the City of the Seven Hills (pages 31 and 32 contain a brief glossary and index). Food and finery, friends and foes, slaves and scribes, patricians and plebeians are just some of the many subjects introduced in two- to five-sentence bites. A team of illustrators has combined color-coded maps with bird's-eye-views of the city, its homes and public buildings, and close-up, action-packed paintings of Romans at work, at play, in conflict, and in combat (all clearly captioned or labeled) to create a lively little page-turner that will see lots of service when the elementary-school set is studying this perennial favorite. (Picture book/nonfiction. 6-10) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
