Pompeii: Lost & Found

by Mary Pope Osborne, Bonnie Christensen (Illustrator)

The famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius that snuffed out life in Pompeii and buried the town has long been a fascinating moment in history for children. This book presents that dramatic story with Mary Pope Osborne’s brief text and with stunning frescoes created by Bonnie Christensen, using the same colors, style, and technique as the ancient frescoes unearthed at Pompeii. In addition to the destruction of Pompeii and the rediscovery of the ruins nearly 1,700 years later, the book shows what daily life was like in this prosperous Roman town in the year 79 A.D.

Genres: Nonfiction, Picture Books, History, Childrens, Italy, Art, Science

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2006

About the author

Mary Pope Osborne is an American author of children's books and audiobook narrator. She is best known as the author of the Magic Tree House series, which as of 2017 sold more than 134 million copies worldwide. Both the series and Osborne have won awards, including for Osborne's charitable efforts at promoting children's literacy. One of four children, Osborne moved around in her childhood before attending the University of North Carolina. Following college, Osborne traveled before moving to New York City. She somewhat spontaneously began to write, and her first book was published in 1982. She went on to write a variety of other children's and young adult books before starting the Magic Tree House series in 1992. Osborne's sister Natalie Pope Boyce has written several compendium books to the Magic Tree House series, sometimes with Osborne's husband Will Osborne.

Reviews

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful picture book that is also an informational text.The illustrator used a fresco technique that was reminiscent of Pompeiian art. There are descriptions of the humans that were killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius,but this book is not gory. It focuses on the way artifacts were used to piece together a picture of daily life in Pompeii.

[Ashtyn Gross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informational picture boo that recounts the activities, social structure, and food of the people of Pompeii. This is a nonfiction book and although some student’s may be turned away by this information, this book is written in a way that maintains the audience’s attention. The language was easy to understand, and uncommon terms were defined. There were full spread illustrations that helped visualize new terms as well. An interesting aspect of this book is that the author, Mary Pope Osborne, also decided to insert questions and “fun facts” throughout the book – some of which are answered/elaborated on in the rear of the book. This can be used in a lesson about different lifestyles and cultures of ancient societies, archaeology and artifacts, and even the difference between AD and BC. I liked that this book provided accurate information on an important society in history in a the for of an illustrated picture book. Although this is aimed towards a younger audience, I could see it being used and interesting a wide range of ages.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An up close look at what life was like in ancient Pompeii. Detailed and very interesting. The parallel page structure worked well, with boxes of text, imagined art, placed alongside paintings of artifacts discovered during excavations, all presented as frescoes. Information about how frescoes are made is included at the end of the book. The small map at the back wasn't clearly labeled enough to make it easy for kids to determine the location of Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great picture book that is appropriate for most elementary students but is geared more towards 3rd grade and up. It tells not only the story of Pompeii but also gives good introductory information about daily life in a typical ancient Roman city. The fresco-style illustrations are beautiful, and my kids really enjoyed learning more about the various tools and objects used in daily life.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really what I was looking for. This book was more about the way of life for the citizens of Pompeii around AD 79. We barely heard anything about the eruption of the volcano.

As for the art, I so wanted to like it. But I guess I'm just not a fan of frescos.

[Kyndra Lemke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect picture book for kids about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on Pompeii back in 79. It is illustrated to look like frescos, easy on the whole death part, and has a small guessing game about items found in the ruins.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way the author, Mary Pope Osborne, moved from the productive daily life of Pompeii to the destruction caused by Vesuvius and then to the found artifacts. Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Christensen. An informative book for children and adults.

[Megan B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will - 4 stars, Nick - 5 stars

[Connie]

Great for a quick overview of the ruins of Pompeii, how it was created and later discovered.

[Bonnie Ferrante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pompeii Lost and Found is a nonfiction picture book for children in grade 4 and up. It begins with an explanation of the devastation of Pompeii by the volcanic explosion of Mount Vesuvius. The book leads us through the archaeological discoveries of an entombed city. It explains the artifacts and what they mean with regard to the life of the historic city. There is just enough information at each page to pull the reader through the book. It is written in a style sure to intrigue all readers and is filled with juicy tidbits such as, “They’ve also found graffiti written about gladiators, such as ‘Celadus, glory of the girls, heartthrob of the girls.’”

Bonnie Christensen’s amazing illustrations given air of authenticity to the book. She adapts the style of her art to the subject matter once again by creating genuinely frescoes to tell the story of Pompeii. In Italy, the artist learned how to paint pure pigment mixed with water on wet plaster, like the ancient Romans, creating a fresco. She explains the process in a note at the end of the book. As we turn the pages, it feels as though we have walked into an ancient city. The texture of the frescoes is authentic and fascinating.

Children, and adults, of all ages will learn from and enjoy this exceptional book. Highly recommended.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pompeii: Lost and Found is a beautiful book that tells the story of the 79 CE eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. The author not only gives details about that fateful day, but also explains how the city was discovered hundreds of years later by archaeologists.

The illustrator, Bonnie Christensen, chose to create frescos to explain the story of Pompeii because archaeologists found them on the walls within the city. This gives the book an authentic feel, bringing the reader back to the thriving times of Pompeii. The frescos are beautiful and show what life was like before, during, and after the eruption.

This is a book that could be used in grades 4 and up. Students are able to learn the story of Pompeii, see the art from the time period, and understand the historical significance of the event. Teachers could use this book in conjunction with learning about the time period; as well as when they begin discussing what an archaeologist does. This would work well in my 6th grade introductory unit because many students do not understand why a person would devote their lives to digging up artifacts. This book could help them understand why learning about the past is so important to the world.

[Kellee Moye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been fascinated by Pompeii since my Latin classes in middle school when I learned about it. Mary Pope Osborne does a nice job summarizing the tragedy, the discovery and the important artifacts that are found.

I found the illustrations of the book to be interesting. Although the book is informational, the choice of illustrations are to use frescoes to represent the art that was discovered at Pompeii. There were times I wish there were photographs instead; however, I love that the book is unique in its representation.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the way the author, Mary Pope Osborne, moved from the productive, daily life of Pompeii to the destruction caused by Vesuvius and then to the found artifacts. Beautifully illustrated by Bonnie Christensen. An informative book for children and adults.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Illustrated by frescoes, the book presents a very brief history of the destruction of Pompeii and then goes on to tell the young readers about different articles found in the archeological dig. Not exactly and art book but or a fictional book but short enough for read-aloud.

[Apee · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this in one night it's pretty accurate about the story
we read it because it's for 4 and up.It has only about 17 pages

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pompeii: Lost and Found
by Mary Pope Osborne, Bonnie Christensen
a good children resource

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very informative. I nearly gave it a four.

[Jessica Hancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource to have in a class library. This would be good for students doing a research project or even just for readers who prefer non fiction text.

[Katie Sicking · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book about Pompeii. It's an informative and colorful nonfiction book that I think children would find very interesting.