About This Book
A parent might reach for this book when their curious child, particularly one who loves animals, starts asking questions about ancient Egypt or mummies. This nonfiction chapter book provides a focused and fascinating answer to a very specific question: why did ancient Egyptians mummify millions of cats? It explores the sacred role of cats, their connection to the goddess Bastet, and the archaeological discoveries of massive cat cemeteries. For kids 8 to 12, it's a perfect gateway to history, turning a potentially strange topic into a lesson in cultural respect, religious beliefs, and scientific discovery. It's an excellent choice for a child who enjoys learning deep facts about a single, intriguing subject.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The book's core subject is death, burial rites, and the afterlife as viewed through the lens of ancient Egyptian religion. The approach is entirely historical and anthropological, not personal or emotional. It is a secular explanation of a specific religious practice. The book contains black and white photographs of actual animal mummies, including some unwrapped, which is factual but could be jarring for some readers.
Ideal Reader
This book is for an 8 to 12-year-old nonfiction aficionado. It is perfect for a child who is fascinated by archaeology, ancient history, or animals and enjoys deep dives into specific subjects. It would strongly appeal to a cat-loving child who is ready for a more complex, text-based nonfiction book than a simple picture book.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the photographs, especially the image of the unwrapped mummy on page 41. It is not gory, but it is a real historical artifact that depicts death. A brief, preparatory conversation about how archaeologists learn from remains and how different cultures honor their dead would be beneficial before reading. A parent will look for this book after their child expresses a specific interest in Egyptian history, perhaps after a museum visit, or asks a pointed question like, "Did they really make cat mummies? Why?" It's a response to a child's natural curiosity about the more unusual aspects of history.
Age Experience
A younger reader (8-9) will be captivated by the 'cool' and slightly 'creepy' facts about cat gods and mummification. An older reader (10-12) will better appreciate the nuances of the religious beliefs, the economic factors driving the mummy trade, and the process of archaeological discovery and interpretation.
Discussion Prompts
1
The book explains that cats were mummified as sacred offerings to the goddess Bastet. Why do you think giving offerings to gods or spirits is a common practice in many different cultures?
2
Ancient Egyptians saw their cats as divine protectors. In what ways do people view their pets today? Are there any similarities to how the Egyptians felt?
3
Archaeologists discovered that some of the cat mummies were 'fakes,' containing only a few bones. Why do you think this happened? What does it tell you about the demand for these mummies?
4
After looking at the photos of the real mummies, how does it feel to see something that is thousands of years old? Why is it important for scientists to study artifacts like these?
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