The Magic And the Mummy

Terry Deary's Egyptian Tales

by Terry Deary

After the pharaoh dies, Neria's father gives her the job of mummifying the pharaoh's cat, which is still alive.

Genres: History, School

64 pages, Library Binding

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

A former actor, theatre-director and drama teacher, Deary says he began writing when he was 29. Most famously, he is one of the authors of the Horrible Histories series of books popular among children for their disgusting details, gory information and humorous pictures and among adults for getting children interested in history. Books in the series have been widely translated into other languages and imitated.

A cartoon series has been made of the series of books and was shown on CiTV for a period in 2002.

The first series of a live-action comedy sketch show of the same name was shown on CBBC in 2009 and a second series is due.

Terry is also known widely throughout children and adult reading groups alike for his True Stories series (see below for series list).

He received an Honorary Doctorate of Education from the University of Sunderland in 2000. His numerous accolades also include the Blue Peter "Best Nonfiction Author of the Century" Award in the U.K.

-Wikipedia

Reviews

[Christina Reid · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an irreverent look at the Ancient Egyptian mummification process which might be enjoyed by 6-8 year olds who are learning about them in school. It teaches some archaeological and historical facts in the context of a quick story. I would recommend pre-reading as, while some children will love the gory details, others may find the descriptions of human bodies rotting and being eaten by maggots disturbing.

[Bahman Bahman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tale of Neria, who works in the House of Death, helping her father to make the mummies. Neria enjoys her work, but when the pharaoh dies, it all goes into overdrive mode. Everyone is so busy that Neria is given the responsibility of mummifying the pharaoh's cat, to accompany him to the Afterlife. The trouble is, Neria is too squeamish to kill and gut the cat. Can she find a way to save the cat - without being caught and punished?

[lia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why I read this. It was just like a good idea at the time. When I finished it, I really don't gain anything by it but it can add up to my books list (I have 160 books to read this year) so I guess, it's okay.

This book is for children. Bold, italic and underlined it. It is a children book that tries to explain the process of mummification - which is an unpleasant one.

In the end, it succeeded but because I'm (obviously) an adult reader it is way too simplistic for me. But if you have children age 5-8 years old, this might be a good book for them to get them to know Egypt's culture.

In the end, the cat was saved.

[Niamh Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This tale, geared towards 6-8 year olds in a chapter book format, cleverly weaves history into story, giving insight into Egyptian life and death; ancient Gods & burial rites and mummies. It also touches on challenges kids of today could be facing: death of a parent; not feeling acknowledged by a parent; younger siblings thinking older siblings are more special; problem solving and an angry parent.
Given the age group it's pitched at, I am surprised by how graphic the references about decay of bodies and the mummification process are. Also how aggressive the Father is towards his young son, and the name calling that happens to one of the workers in The House of Death.

[Xanthi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to on audiobook.
This story featured a cat, so of course I was going to like it. The sad truth is that a lot of cats were killed by the ancient Egyptians, even though they were revered. Seems cognitive dissonance was alive and well back then, too. For the sake of children's sensibilities, the cat in this story does need meet a grim end.
This tale is basically a way of informing children of the mummification process and why the ancients did it. Kids like gross things so I am sure this story will appeal.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic quick read of historical fiction based on real events during Ancient Egypt, when important individuals and animals were preserved through mummification. Squeamish kiddos may have a problem with the descriptions of the organ removal.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Egypt

[Dalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's about a girl called "Neria" her father wanted her to know do they make mummies.