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Usborne Encyclopedias
The Usborne Encyclopedia of the Ancient World
Provides information on the cultures and histories of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2002
7 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Jane Bingham
322 books17 followersJane M. Bingham spent most of her adult life teaching college students about children's literature at Oakland University, collecting and studying children's books from across history and around the world, and campaigning for better materials for children to read. After she retired from that career, she began writing children's books of her own. Bingham has since authored several nonfiction books that seek to explain contemporary issues to children, including divorce, the dangers of drug abuse, and the art and culture of civilizations around the world.
In Why Do Families Break Up? Bingham attempts to demystify the process of divorce for middle-school students. The book begins by examining some of the reasons a couple might decide to divorce, then moves on to explain the process of coping and moving on after a family separates. School Library Journal contributor Sharon A. Neal described the book as "supportive [and] unbiased" and noted, "Despite the nature of the topic, the book is hopeful."
Tiananmen Square: June 4, 1989 examines the studentled protest against China's Communist rulers that occurred there, in the middle of Beijing, in the spring of 1989. On June 4 the government mobilized the army, including tanks, to disperse the demonstrators, killing several of them in the process. "The excellent illustrations and clear narrative," Elizabeth Talbot wrote in School Library Journal, make Tiananmen Square a "good introduction" to the protest and its aftermath.
Bingham is the author of three installments in the "World Art and Culture" series, examining India, Africa, and Aboriginal Australia. Each book is brief, only fifty-six pages long, and "the texts are straightforward and concise," Gillian Engberg noted in a review of AfricanArt and Culture for Booklist. Despite this brevity, much information is packed into each volume. Bingham opens each book with a chapter about the history of the region, from thousands of years ago to the present day, and follows with chapters about the art forms practiced in that area. These include architecture, basket-weaving, creating musical instruments, dance, and body modification (tattoos, piercings, and the like), among others. Indian Art and Culture also includes a chapter on one of that country's modern art forms, the "Bollywood" movie industry. As Donna Cardon noted in School Library Journal, "The texts not only describe the art forms and how they are created, but also explain the role that art plays in the cultures."
Bingham once wrote: "In 1981 I completed a trip which took me to American Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, South Africa, and Swaziland. I collected examples of children's books along the way and became acutely aware of the need for books and other teaching resources in many developing countries. I was especially impressed with the variety of India's and Bangladesh's children's books—in spite of the difficulties their creators often encounter in publishing and promoting them. I also found that becoming aware of and enjoying the literature from other countries enriched my appreciation of American children's books. I found myself asking over and over why we, with the plethora we have to choose from, too often opt for the mediocre rather than the 'rarest kind of best.' As educators, creators, and consumers, we all too often forget to think of children's books as real literature because we fail to apply critical literary standards. It is my hope that my teaching and writing will draw attention to the continuing need for quality books in our own country and will also encourage American students and teachers to adopt a wider, world view of children's literature."
In Why Do Families Break Up? Bingham attempts to demystify the process of divorce for middle-school students. The book begins by examining some of the reasons a couple might decide to divorce, then moves on to explain the process of coping and moving on after a family separates. School Library Journal contributor Sharon A. Neal described the book as "supportive [and] unbiased" and noted, "Despite the nature of the topic, the book is hopeful."
Tiananmen Square: June 4, 1989 examines the studentled protest against China's Communist rulers that occurred there, in the middle of Beijing, in the spring of 1989. On June 4 the government mobilized the army, including tanks, to disperse the demonstrators, killing several of them in the process. "The excellent illustrations and clear narrative," Elizabeth Talbot wrote in School Library Journal, make Tiananmen Square a "good introduction" to the protest and its aftermath.
Bingham is the author of three installments in the "World Art and Culture" series, examining India, Africa, and Aboriginal Australia. Each book is brief, only fifty-six pages long, and "the texts are straightforward and concise," Gillian Engberg noted in a review of AfricanArt and Culture for Booklist. Despite this brevity, much information is packed into each volume. Bingham opens each book with a chapter about the history of the region, from thousands of years ago to the present day, and follows with chapters about the art forms practiced in that area. These include architecture, basket-weaving, creating musical instruments, dance, and body modification (tattoos, piercings, and the like), among others. Indian Art and Culture also includes a chapter on one of that country's modern art forms, the "Bollywood" movie industry. As Donna Cardon noted in School Library Journal, "The texts not only describe the art forms and how they are created, but also explain the role that art plays in the cultures."
Bingham once wrote: "In 1981 I completed a trip which took me to American Samoa, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Bangladesh, India, Kenya, South Africa, and Swaziland. I collected examples of children's books along the way and became acutely aware of the need for books and other teaching resources in many developing countries. I was especially impressed with the variety of India's and Bangladesh's children's books—in spite of the difficulties their creators often encounter in publishing and promoting them. I also found that becoming aware of and enjoying the literature from other countries enriched my appreciation of American children's books. I found myself asking over and over why we, with the plethora we have to choose from, too often opt for the mediocre rather than the 'rarest kind of best.' As educators, creators, and consumers, we all too often forget to think of children's books as real literature because we fail to apply critical literary standards. It is my hope that my teaching and writing will draw attention to the continuing need for quality books in our own country and will also encourage American students and teachers to adopt a wider, world view of children's literature."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 22, 2017
As someone who loves, and enjoys history, I would recommend this book to not only young students but adults as well. I can not express how much I love ancient history and sometimes it is hard to get into history readings due to the dense books that are out there. That is why I gave the Encyclopedia of the Ancient World a 5/5 star rating not only was the history broken down into perfect sections but it was also fairly easy to follow along.
I loved the explicit detail that went into the photographs as well as the mythology within the books. I couldn't recommend this book enough. If you are looking for a history book that not only is easy to follow along but will enjoy this is the book for you.
I loved the explicit detail that went into the photographs as well as the mythology within the books. I couldn't recommend this book enough. If you are looking for a history book that not only is easy to follow along but will enjoy this is the book for you.
March 5, 2022
This was our "spine" text for our literature-based study of ancient history through Beautiful Feet books. It covers a wide range of topics for three main eras: Mesopotamian cultures, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome.
December 13, 2020
Genel bilgiler edinmek için iyi bir kaynak olabilir. Türkçe çevirisinde noktalama hataları var.
February 4, 2023
Ortaokulda alıp birkaç günde bitirdiğim fazlasıyla görselli, basit bir anlatıma sahip ve gündelik yaşamdan tarihe kadar antik dünyanın büyük bir kısmını kapsayan çok ilginç bir çalışma.
June 6, 2012
We used this book in connection with Susan Wise Bauer's excellent "Story of the World", which we listened to on audio (see separate review). For our purposes, I would give it 4 stars, as the captivating visual images and internet links were perfect for the enhancement of "Story of the World". However, as a stand alone, I would rank it more in the 3 star range as giving a very basic overview of the ancient world, with some inconsistency in the links.
The gem of this work is the internet links which are updated by Usborne so that you don't have to keep searching for them. Some of the links were advanced beyond our preschool level study, which is wonderful to give us room to grow. Most of the links worked well, but there were a few that we couldn't get to work, or that required annoying installation of additional software.
This book is offered by Scholastic as a stand alone with a red/ orange/ yellow cover. It is also offered as part of a full world history encyclopedia. I've browsed the full world encyclopedia at curriculum sales and I have to say I immensely prefer this format for two reasons: 1) The World Encyclopedia is incredibly bulky for preschool and elementary students to handle, and 2) and far more significant, the World Encyclopedia includes and entire section on origins of mankind that ISN'T history, but more science and philosophy. This is not needed for history, and the large section seemed superfluous and, quite frankly rather annoying, as it presents an evolutionary view with which we are not in agreement. If you want that, great. But if not, stick to buying the little book installments.
-----
Update 2011
In connection with Tapestry of Grace homeschool program, I ordered this book through their bookstore Bookshelf Central.com
I am happy to report that while the cover is the same, this copy lacks the pre-history that I was seeing in other editions. This edition, clocking in at 400 pages, starts with four pages on the internet-linking process and how we discover the past (archeology and history) and then jumps right into "Early Civilizations". Broadly, it covers Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. I do not know of any other way to distinguish it from it's less preferable counterpart.
This resource is an excellent companion to a year of classical study of the ancients. The photographs of actual artifacts are excellent. Colorful presentation and open layouts make it an attractive text for elementary students. For early elementary, we have not used it every week, though I imagine older elementary students will be inclined and ready to do so. Nonetheless, I, being the teacher have been reading it in its entirety (we are only through Mesopotamia and Egypt as of this writing).
Discerning readers will notice that this is basically a western civilization text. Noticeably absent are the rich ancient civilizations of India and China. The Americas (certainly not as advanced as either India or China) are similarly overlooked. This is not a deal breaker, but rather a cause for supplementation of an otherwise excellent resource. Pre-history gibberish removed, I have upgraded it to 4 stars and consider it a home library essential.
---- Update 2012
Very satisfied with this as a primary resource for our completed study of Ancient History. There were, as usual, so points where I wanted to clarify for my son my thinking, but I never agree with anyone or anything all the time. This is a wonderful reference to have on hand for future study, and I still consider it a homeschool essential.
The gem of this work is the internet links which are updated by Usborne so that you don't have to keep searching for them. Some of the links were advanced beyond our preschool level study, which is wonderful to give us room to grow. Most of the links worked well, but there were a few that we couldn't get to work, or that required annoying installation of additional software.
This book is offered by Scholastic as a stand alone with a red/ orange/ yellow cover. It is also offered as part of a full world history encyclopedia. I've browsed the full world encyclopedia at curriculum sales and I have to say I immensely prefer this format for two reasons: 1) The World Encyclopedia is incredibly bulky for preschool and elementary students to handle, and 2) and far more significant, the World Encyclopedia includes and entire section on origins of mankind that ISN'T history, but more science and philosophy. This is not needed for history, and the large section seemed superfluous and, quite frankly rather annoying, as it presents an evolutionary view with which we are not in agreement. If you want that, great. But if not, stick to buying the little book installments.
-----
Update 2011
In connection with Tapestry of Grace homeschool program, I ordered this book through their bookstore Bookshelf Central.com
I am happy to report that while the cover is the same, this copy lacks the pre-history that I was seeing in other editions. This edition, clocking in at 400 pages, starts with four pages on the internet-linking process and how we discover the past (archeology and history) and then jumps right into "Early Civilizations". Broadly, it covers Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. I do not know of any other way to distinguish it from it's less preferable counterpart.
This resource is an excellent companion to a year of classical study of the ancients. The photographs of actual artifacts are excellent. Colorful presentation and open layouts make it an attractive text for elementary students. For early elementary, we have not used it every week, though I imagine older elementary students will be inclined and ready to do so. Nonetheless, I, being the teacher have been reading it in its entirety (we are only through Mesopotamia and Egypt as of this writing).
Discerning readers will notice that this is basically a western civilization text. Noticeably absent are the rich ancient civilizations of India and China. The Americas (certainly not as advanced as either India or China) are similarly overlooked. This is not a deal breaker, but rather a cause for supplementation of an otherwise excellent resource. Pre-history gibberish removed, I have upgraded it to 4 stars and consider it a home library essential.
---- Update 2012
Very satisfied with this as a primary resource for our completed study of Ancient History. There were, as usual, so points where I wanted to clarify for my son my thinking, but I never agree with anyone or anything all the time. This is a wonderful reference to have on hand for future study, and I still consider it a homeschool essential.
November 28, 2015
I love History and this book tells about Roman, Greek, Mesopotamian and Egyptian ancient worlds. I liked the Roman history the most because of their leaders. i also liked Greek scholars and Greek Gods and their legends.
December 24, 2013
I love ancient history so this was great.
January 22, 2014
Not worth having this on the "currently reading" shelf anymore...:P
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews