Cleopatra

Diane Stanley presents the life story of Cleopatra VII, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt, in this illustrated biography for young readers. The narrative follows Cleopatra from her childhood in Alexandria through her rise to power as queen. The book details Cleopatra's education, political landscape, and relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony against the backdrop of the Roman Empire's expansion. Historical events and cultural context are integrated throughout the text, supported by Stanley's own artwork depicting scenes from Cleopatra's life. This biography balances historical accuracy with accessibility for middle-grade readers, examining both the myths and facts about the Egyptian queen. Stanley explores themes of power, leadership, and the intersection of personal and political life in the ancient world.

Readers praise the book's historical accuracy while maintaining an engaging narrative for children ages 7-12. Parents and teachers note that Stanley balances educational value with visual appeal through her detailed illustrations. Readers highlight: - Clear explanation of complex political dynamics - Rich, authentic artwork depicting Egyptian and Roman settings - Age-appropriate handling of adult themes - Inclusion of source notes and bibliography Common criticisms: - Text density can overwhelm younger readers - Some historical complexities glossed over - A few readers wanted more details about Egyptian culture Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (473 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Sample reader comments: "Perfect for teaching ancient history to elementary students" - 4th grade teacher "The illustrations alone make this worth buying" - Parent reviewer "Too text-heavy for my 7-year-old but perfect for my 10-year-old" - Parent reviewer

Alexander the Great by Peter Chrisp This illustrated biography traces Alexander's conquest of the ancient world through maps, artifacts, and historical accounts.

Queen Victoria by Catherine Reef The narrative chronicles Victoria's 63-year reign through primary sources and period photographs that reveal the transformation of Britain into an empire.

King Tut by Patricia Cleveland-Peck The text presents archaeological discoveries and historical records to reconstruct Tutankhamun's life and death in ancient Egypt.

Marie Antoinette by Kathryn Lasky The biography follows Marie Antoinette from her Austrian childhood to her death during the French Revolution using letters and court documents.

Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor by Kathryn Lasky The book combines historical facts with diary-style entries to depict Elizabeth's journey from princess to queen of England.

🔸 Though most famous images show Cleopatra as a striking beauty, ancient Roman coins featuring her portrait reveal a woman with a large hooked nose and pointed chin - features the book's illustrations accurately reflect. 🔸 Author Diane Stanley has illustrated over 50 children's books and earned the Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her entire body of nonfiction work. 🔸 The book explains how Cleopatra was actually Greek, not Egyptian, as she was part of the Ptolemaic dynasty that began with Alexander the Great's general Ptolemy. 🔸 To create the book's distinctive artwork, Stanley studied ancient Egyptian and Roman art, architecture, and artifacts to ensure historical accuracy in her illustrations. 🔸 Despite being the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, Cleopatra was the first member of her dynasty to learn the Egyptian language in over 300 years of family rule.