Mummies and Pyramids: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House (R) Fact Tracker)

If the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions a mummy is a ghastly, bandaged creature staggering forth from a tomb, it's time to take a look at Mummies and Pyramids. This entertaining and enlightening research companion to Mary Pope Osborne's Mummies in the Morning is perfect for readers who developed an insatiable taste for the mysteries and science of ancient Egypt while reading about Jack and Annie's time- and space-traveling adventures at the pyramid of Queen Hutepi. Guided by siblings Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House series, the easy-to-read text offers up the secrets of pharaohs, hieroglyphic writing, the building of pyramids, how and why mummies were made, the Book of the Dead, Egyptian gods and goddesses, tomb treasures--and tomb robbers--and more. Divided into chapters covering everyday life in ancient Egypt, religion, funerals, and the most famous mummy of all, King Tutankhamen, the book also offers suggestions on how children can do their own research. Plentiful black and white illustrations and reproductions of Egyptian art make learning extra fun, as do regular appearances by Jack and Annie as they explain details of the text or offer commentary ("Not fair!" Annie says, "Only boys could go to school and become scribes!"). Stimulating and lively, this research guide is a stellar introduction to a subject guaranteed to intrigue young readers. (Ages 6 to 10) --Emilie Coulter

WILL OSBORNE and MARY POPE OSBORNE have been married for a number of years and live in northwestern Connecticut with their three dogs, Joey, Mr. Bezo, and Little Bear.
 
Mary is the author of over one hundred books for children, including novels, picture books, biographies, and retellings of fairy tales and world mythologies. Will has worked for many years in the theater as an actor, director, and playwright. Together he and Mary have coauthored two books of Greek mythology and eight Magic Tree House® Fact Trackers. Will has also written a multimedia planetarium show, Magic Tree House Space Mission, and is cocreator with Randy Courts of Magic Tree House: The Musical, a full-scale Broadway-style family musical based on Christmas in Camelot.
 
SAL MURDOCCA has illustrated more than 200 children's trade and text books. He is also a librettist for children's opera, a video artist, an avid runner, hiker, and bicyclist, and a teacher of children's illustration at the Parsons School of Design. Sal lives and works in New York with his wife, Nancy.