The Genius of the Benin Kingdom

November 1, 2019

Gr 4-6-These image-rich titles cover each ancient civilization's history, location, and culture with clearly organized and easy to follow text. Facts about a civilization are presented within two-to-three-page chapters that have two columns of text on a page along with appropriately placed and relevant sidebars. Images of artifacts, art, or photographs of what remains of the civilizations today appear on every page, and the page layout allows readers to engage with the content. People from different socio-economic classes within the civilizations are covered. A list of recommended titles and websites is included along with glossaries that are unique to every title. No source notes are provided. VERDICT Though mostly Western in focus, these titles provide a good glimpse into the history and impact of ancient civilizations.

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2019
Grades 3-6 The Edo people of the Benin Kingdom, located in present-day Nigeria, come into focus in this fact-packed volume in the Genius of the Ancients series (8 titles). Here readers are met with a light but expansive survey that highlights this West African civilization's accomplishments in such areas as the arts (especially brasswork), agriculture and trade, military prowess, and urban planning, as well as its social hierarchy, forgiveness-based justice system, and religious beliefs. In 13 double-page spreads, the text describes the rise and fall of the Benin Kingdom, transparently stating that most information comes from the British, their eventual conquerors. The varied topics are neatly tied together, while airy layouts with diligently captioned illustrations and fun facts create a friendly reading experience. A refreshing addition to collections on ancient cultures.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)