The Romans: Gods, Emperors, and Dormice

by Marcia Williams

With her signature comic-strip style, Marcia Williams takes us behind the scenes of some of ancient Rome’s most famous moments.

Meet Dormeo: gladiator, dormouse, berry-nibbler, and guide to ancient Rome. He’s about to lead a tour — from the temperamental gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus to the wolf-raised Romulus and Remus, from the birth of the Roman Republic to the death of Julius Caesar. On the way are fascinating glimpses of life as a Roman citizen, from families to festivals, gladiators to guards, as well as a look at some of Rome’s best-known emperors (good and not so good). Vibrant, engaging, and packed with Marcia Williams’s trademark warmth and humor, this graphic storybook is a young reader’s ideal introduction to the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Picture Books, Ancient History

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 2, 2013

About the author

Marcia Williams began to develop her distinctive comic-book style at an early age: "When I was about ten and wrote home to my family from boarding school," she says, "I never wrote normal letters. I tried to tell my family about what I was doing in a way that was more fun. Also, my parents didn't let me read comic books, so I decided to create my own."

This former nursery school teacher blends her storytelling skills and humorous illustrations with well-known figures and stories from literature. Her unique style has produced such vivid works and action-packed books as GOD AND HIS CREATIONS: TALES FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT. "Working on the Old Testament was a joy," Marcia Williams says. "The tales are so rich, it is always possible to find something new within them. Yet, at the same time, they have all the comfort of the familiar." The artist also found pleasure in creating CHARLES DICKENS AND FRIENDS, which presents five retellings of classic Dickens tales. Of her inspiration for this book, she tells of a teacher she once had "who was extremely fierce and angry . . . except when she read the stories of Charles Dickens aloud. Through her, all his characters lived, and I was transported to their Victorian world. I hope that readers will also enter the wonderful world of Charles Dickens through this book."


With BRAVO, MR. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE! and TALES FROM SHAKESPEARE Marcia Williams introduces young readers to the world of William Shakespeare's plays. Another classic she has made much more accessible to children--and more appreciated by them--is THE ILIAD AND THE ODYSSEY. "My mother read me classics, but until I got older I never found them interesting," she says. "If I could make these stories more accessible, I realized, kids wouldn't have to wait until they were grown-up to appreciate them."


Marcia Williams traveled extensively as a child and was educated in Sussex, England, and Switzerland. During her varied career she has worked as an interior designer and has assisted cartoon artist and designer Gerald Scarfe in making papier-mâché and cloth sculptures.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

It all begins and ends with a Romulus 🤴
Reminded me of BBC's Horrible Histories 😁good old days ♥️ a fun read!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

With pages filled with comic strips and dormice along the side as well as brief notes on the bottom of each page, this book offers a quick and engaging overview of the Roman empire. After introducing the gods and goddesses important to the Romans, the author/illustrator shows the birth of Rome and the fate of Romulus and Remus. She also includes the highlights (and low points) of the various emperors who ruled over Rome and explains the difference between the lifestyles of the wealthy patricians and the impoverished plebeians, even including cartoon strips that contrast a day in the life of a child in each group.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s a good idea, poorly executed. There is a LOT of information on each page, and it’s impossible for the eye to follow it in any sort of natural progression.

Also – an unbalanced portrayal of the Romans. Yes, they did terrible things with all the invading and taxes and slavery, etc. – but let’s at least give the engineers a little credit, yeah?

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is a fun way to learn. I'm pretty sure I have heard of books from Marcia Williams before to learn about history. However, I think this is my first experience. A neat adventure to the past. intriguing illustrations filled with color, a fabulous font provides a plethora of facts. Wonderful for students. Hours could be spent again and again dwelling on these pictures filling the mind. Again, a very fun way to learn. I'll surely be looking for more Marcia Williams to add to our shelves.

I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary. Please read my full disclosure policy for more details.


posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Romans: Gods, Emperors, and Dormice told by Marcia Williams in dynamic information packed cartoon panels, blends humor with comprehensive background information. Ranging from Gods and Goddesses of Roman mythology to an overview of the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, many fascinating tidbits are included; such as the cartoon conversation between the war dog and the squealing pig that is covered in resin and set on fire. The Children of Rome section featuring the day in the life of both a Patrician and Plebian child is especially appealing. This is a volume children will devour for its rich visual literacy and high interest history factoids.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marcia Williams tells a brief history of ancient Rome through comic style illustrations and text. A chatty dormouse gives fun facts and makes comments along the edge of the pages. Some dormouse comments add to the book, while others can be a bit distracting. One of the most exciting parts is when Williams shows children what it was like to be a plebeian vs. a patrician child. Overall, a funny introduction to ancient Roman history for kids, though some pages are a little wordy.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hundreds of years of ancient Roman history as told by a dormouse. Colorfully busy cartoon panels convey information about the gods, the seven kings, the emperors, life in Rome and the fall of Rome.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A review of Roman history. Asher (8yo) read.

[Jai Mutreja · Rating 3 out of 5]

good but lacking information

[Kekepania Kakiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun read.

[mtschettar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book. Informative & interesting good book.

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

7yo really enjoyed it

[Breezy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very colorful and fun way to look into the Roman history. The illustrations are very interesting and cute. my favorite part was on Romulus and Remus. The whole book is filled with silliness which makes the history even more fun. Fabulous job.

[Viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Telling Ancient Roman history in fun, comic strip/graphic novel style, this book will be popular among children who are into Ancient Roman mythology and history. It may just do the job to get more children interested in Ancient Roman history!

[Tim Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun, comic overview of the ancient Romans.