Pharoah - Jackie French - $15.95  

This is a story about King Narmer of Thinis on the Nile, and his journey to unite all the Egyptian city states into one united Egypt, to become the first Pharoah. It is about countries such as Punt, Ka’naan and Sumer when Egypt did not exist. Why have I put it in Fertile Cresent Civilisations? Because much of the book is set in Sumer, where he gained his knowledge of a bigger world and how to run a whole country. This is the first living book I have read about Mesopotamia and it is eye-opening, full of suspense and very satisfying. Note: Although excellent as a read aloud for ages 9 and up, some parts may need to be missed: A number of comments on the bare-breasted women of Punt, as well as Narmer’s sister going to the Moon God’s temple in Ur to offer herself to the priests as a sacrifice. Realistic and not over-detailed, but not for younger children to read alone. Nevertheless this book comes with my highest recommendations as a read aloud.