Pacal - Fiona Macdonald

A fascinating set of information books on different ancient peoples, suitable for guided, shared or independent reading, with good cross-curricular links. These books exemplify the different text types required by the National Literacy Strategy - Discussion, report, recount. This work contains: "Pacal, A Maya King" (recount) - The biography of Pacal, a child king of a Mayan kingdom when this South American civilisation was at its height; "The Vikings" (report) - A fascinating insight into the life of the Vikings and the extent of their influence. Covers all aspects of culture including navigational skills and shipbuilding, beliefs, language and democracy; "Theseus and the Minotaur" (discussion) - How much fact is there in the myth, and why did it grow up? Was Theseus a real person? The myth is recounted and the evidence evaluated in an accessible and exciting way; "Mummies, Tombs, and the Afterlife" (report) - This book shows the startling similarities in belief and ritual as different ancient societies found ways to preserve the bodies of their dead and speed their spirits to the next world. Some ugh! factor too as we learn how Egyptian mummies were made.