Looking for Ancient Egypt picture books for your classroom?

Ancient Egyptian history is full of fascinating stories, and picture books are a wonderful way to bring these tales to life for young readers. They help students connect with the world of pharaohs, gods, and pyramids, making history engaging and accessible.

As a 3rd grade teacher, I know how important it is to find resources that make complex topics like Ancient Egypt relatable and exciting for curious young minds.

These picture books are excellent tools to support your students’ understanding of Egyptian history, whether they’re exploring it for the first time or diving deeper into this ancient world.

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The List of Ancient Egypt Picture Books for Kids

How the Sphinx Got to the Museum

How the Sphinx Got to the Museum explains the journey of an ancient Egyptian sphinx statue from the time it was carved to when it ended up in a museum. The book takes readers through each step—how the sphinx was discovered, studied by archaeologists, and eventually transported to a museum where people can see it today.

This book is a great mix of history and storytelling, perfect for kids curious about ancient artifacts. It’s easy to follow and explains how something so old gets from Egypt to a museum in a way that makes sense to young readers. The illustrations are fun and informative, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to archaeology and the work that goes into preserving history.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Egypt Lesson:
After reading How the Sphinx Got to the Museum, talk about how archaeologists uncover and preserve ancient treasures like the sphinx. Have students act as “archaeologists” and make their own “artifact” out of clay or paper, then write a short story about how it was discovered and made its way to a museum. This hands-on activity helps them understand the process of uncovering history while learning about Ancient Egypt and the importance of preserving the past.

Check it out HERE.

Seeker of Knowledge

Seeker of Knowledge by James Rumford is about Jean-François Champollion, a young man who was so fascinated by Ancient Egypt that he dedicated his life to figuring out how to read hieroglyphs. Despite all the challenges, Champollion never gave up, eventually cracking the code that helped people understand Ancient Egyptian writing for the first time in over a thousand years.

Seeker of Knowledge is a fun, inspiring read that brings the story of Champollion to life for kids. The illustrations make the excitement of his discoveries easy to feel, and the story shows how sticking with something, even when it’s hard, can lead to big accomplishments. It’s perfect for kids interested in history, mysteries, or learning about other cultures.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Egypt Lesson:
For an Ancient Egypt lesson, you could read Seeker of Knowledge to introduce the importance of hieroglyphs in Egyptian culture. Afterward, have students create their own “messages” using hieroglyph symbols, exploring how language connects us to history. It’s a fun way to show how Champollion’s work opened up a whole new understanding of ancient times by cracking the hieroglyphic code!

Check it out HERE.

The Winged Cat

The Winged Cat is about a young servant girl named Merit, who lives in Ancient Egypt. When she helps a magical winged cat, she is taken on a journey to the afterlife. Along the way, she faces challenges, but with the help of the cat, she proves her kindness and bravery, leading to a happy ending for both Merit and the cat.

The Winged Cat is a magical story set in Ancient Egypt that blends adventure with Egyptian mythology. The story is full of excitement, and the winged cat adds a fun fantasy element. It’s perfect for introducing kids to Ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife in a way that’s exciting but still accessible. The strong theme of kindness makes it a feel-good story with a nice moral lesson.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Egypt Lesson:
After reading The Winged Cat, introduce the concept of the afterlife in Ancient Egypt and the idea of judgment based on a person’s actions. Have students create “story scrolls” that show Merit’s journey through the challenges she faced. They can also invent their own story about a magical creature helping someone through the afterlife, using what they’ve learned about Egyptian gods, symbols, and beliefs. This activity ties in Ancient Egyptian culture and lets students explore their creativity while reinforcing the lesson of kindness.

Check it out HERE.

The Egyptian Cinderella

The Egyptian Cinderella is about Rhodopis, a Greek slave in Egypt, who is treated unfairly by others. One day, her special rose-gold sandal is stolen by a falcon and dropped in front of the Pharaoh. Believing it’s a sign from the gods, the Pharaoh searches for the owner of the sandal, and when he finds Rhodopis, he marries her, making her the Egyptian queen.

This unique twist on the classic Cinderella story introduces kids to Ancient Egypt in a fun and engaging way. The story mixes familiar fairy tale elements with Egyptian culture, making it easy for young readers to enjoy. The illustrations really help bring the setting to life, and it’s a great way to show that Cinderella stories exist in many different cultures.

Suggested Use in an Ancient Egypt Lesson:
After reading The Egyptian Cinderella, talk about the importance of the Nile River and why it was key to Egyptian life. Then, tie it into the story by discussing how the falcon, a symbol of the god Horus, played a role in the tale. Have students create their own versions of the Cinderella story, set in different parts of Ancient Egypt, incorporating what they’ve learned about Egyptian gods, culture, and daily life. This helps students connect the story to the real history of Ancient Egypt while letting their creativity shine!

Check it out HERE.

Need A Resource on Ancient Egypt?

Along with these picture books, I have a variety of fun and engaging resources to help you teach Ancient Egypt! From worksheets to interactive lessons, these tools will make learning about this fascinating time period exciting and memorable for your students.

• Ancient Egypt for Google Classroom
• Ancient Egypt Interactive Notebook
• Ancient Egypt PBL
• Ancient Egypt Review Game

I hope this list of picture books sparks excitement and curiosity as you explore Ancient Egypt with your students. Teaching kids about pharaohs, pyramids, and ancient history can be challenging, but with these captivating stories, we can bring the past to life in a fun and memorable way.

I also have a blog post full of activities to teach Ancient Egypt HERE.

If you have any favorite books or activities for teaching Ancient Egypt, I’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments! Let’s keep supporting each other as we inspire our students to dive into the wonders of ancient civilizations. We’ve got this!

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