These seven manmade phenomena are the subjects of Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Lynn Curlee: the Great Pyramid at Giza; the Hanging Gardens of Babylon; the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus; the Statue of Zeus at Olympia; the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus; the Colossus of Rhodes; and the Pharos at Alexandria.
All of the monuments existed simultaneously for only about 30 years, and the only one still standing today is the Great Pyramid at Giza. The other structures were destroyed by earthquakes, floods, deterioration from exposure to the elements, or by human hands. Excavations by archaeologists over the past 150 years have revealed much information about the lost structures, which continue to amaze us today.
Lynn Curlee, who is a Phi Beta Kappa with multiple degrees in art history, has earned a sterling reputation for writing and illustrating well-researched, beautifully illustrated informational picture books for children. It is disappointing that he includes no bibliography, suggested reading list, or captions for his illustrations in this book. A critic for Kirkus Reviews (January 1, 2002) noted that �Curlee cites no books or Web sites to fan any flames of interest he might kindle,� and Booklist (January 1, 2002) felt that �the figures of nude men running a race will come as a surprise� to young readers, because there is no accompanying explanation.
The author does include a map of �The Ancient Hellenistic World� in the opening pages, which shows readers the physical locations of the monuments. Another helpful tool for gaining perspective is the illustration at the back of the book that has the seven ancient structures, along with modern, familiar structures, all drawn to scale. Curlee also provides the reader with different views of how the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus might have looked.
The book is organized chronologically, beginning with the earliest structure, the Great Pyramid (built around 2,580 B.C.), and concluding with the Pharos at Alexandria, finished around 250 B.C. He devotes four pages to each monument, comprised of two full pages of text facing full page illustrations of the structure. He devotes four pages to introductory material which includes a map. Two pages are used to summarize the book, and features a drawing of the ancient pyramid as it looks today, with modern aircraft flying overhead.
Curlee uses a narrative style of writing that is interesting and readable. He manages to bring new perspective to these ancient structures, by including interesting comparisons. He gives mind-boggling data on the 2,300,000 stones used to build the pyramid, and then restates it in a way that makes it easier to grasp: � . . enough (stone) for a wall ten feet high around the entire country of France.� (p. 6) He provides visual perspective for the reader, as well, through his illustrations. The image of a man standing in the hollow arm of the Colossus of Rhodes show just how massive the structure was.
Curlee�s full-page, color illustrations are rendered in acrylic paints. He does a good job of capturing the majesty and enormity of the structures, and provides scale by including humans in some of the illustrations. Two drawings of each monument provide different perspectives. The buildings are portrayed as architectural structures, with clean, straight lines and matte textures.
Older children will enjoy this brief introduction to a fascinating topic. Although the scope of the book leaves many questions unanswered, �Curlee, an art historian, offers an informative, richly descriptive text and artwork that enables readers to envision the wonders for themselves.� (Booklist, January 1, 2002) This survey of ancient marvels will undoubtedly fire the imagination of budding young archaeologists and historians.
Relevant Websites
Lynn Curlee�s Art: http://www.curleeart.com
About Lynn Curlee: http://www.childrenslit.com/f_curlee.html
Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: http://ce.eng.usf.edu/pharos/wonders/
Source
Books in Print [database online]. Available from http://www.booksinprint.com. Accessed 16 October 2004.
School of Library and Information Studies
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY