Alexander, Sue.
Small Plays for Special Days
. New York: Seabury Press, 1977.
Seven 3 to 5 minute plays with simple plots and simple characters, but fun and funny. Simple structure for analysis and good practice for young actors.
Asimov, Isaac.
The Book That Saved the Earth
(play). From Blazing Trails (reading series, Level 10). New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1983.
This is part of the Basal reader series used in the New Haven School system. This will be my middle reading group in this coming year. This is a delightful play and a good place to begin discussion of the parts of a play.
Braun-Raasmussen, Ole, and Peterson, Grete.
Make-up, Costumes, and Masks
for the Stage
. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 1981.
Very useful tips on how to manufacture just about anything for the stage (except sets). Lots of illustrations and patterns; plans that use easy to find and inexpensive materials.
Casson, Lionel.
Ancient Egypt
. New York: Time-Life Books, 1965.
Excellent reference source for teachers and for student reports: strong emphasis on culture and the landforms. A excellent history of ancient Egypt. Many beautiful illustrations.
Harris, Geraldine.
Gods and Pharaohs
. New York: Schoken-Books, 1982.
Stories about the Egyptian gods and the “divine” pharaohs. High group 4ths could read it, but it makes a wonderful book for reading aloud by the teacher. More beautiful illustrations.
Ions, Veronica.
Egyptian Mythology
. New York: Peter Bedrick Books, 1983.
A beautiful compendium of the Egyptian gods, their beginnings, their constituencies, and their special “talents.” Handsome illustrations.
McCaslin, Nellie.
Act Now! Plays and Ways to Make Them
. New York: S.G. Phillips, 1975.
Some fun acting games, tips on writing, written for a good 4th grade reader. Shows how a story becomes a play.
Nesbit, E.
The Phoenix and the Carpet
, from
Golden Voyages
(basal reading series, Level II). New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1983.
This play will be used with my highest reading group as a way to begin studying play format.
Newby, P.H.
The Egypt Story
. Cairo, Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press, 1979.
Another beautiful reference book with wonderful pictures. It wanders into modern Egypt too, which may be of interest to some students. A history of Egypt through the ages.
Palma, Diego Dalla.
Make-Up Artists’ Handbook
. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., 1985.
Easy to read, replete with illustrations and simple directions for theatrical make-up, hair styles, etc.
Schuan, Karl.
The First Book of Acting
. New York: Franklin Watts, Inc., 1965.
Written for elementary students, it describes how plays are produced, and the jobs of each of the production crew. Good tips on what to expect at try-outs, rehearsals, etc.
Tashjian, Virginia A.
Juba This and Juba That—Story Hour Stretches for Large or Small Groups
. Toronto: Little, Brown and Co., 1969.
A utterly charming collection of group chants and story responses, useful for loosening up a group, warm-ups, or just plain for fun!
Ventura, Piero, and Ceserani, Gian Paolo.
Tutankhamun
. Morristown, N.J.: Silver Burdett Co., 1985.
Part of a marvelous series of books on historical times written, with many pictures, for children. This one is an excellent history of Tutankhamun and his times, starting with the discovery of his tomb—an archaeological detective story, but much more.
Winther, Barbara.
Little Mouse Deer
(play). From
Ring Around the World
(reading series, Level 9). New York: Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, 1983.
This will be the reader for my lowest group in the coming year. An attractive short play with an African base. Useful to start discussion of play format and play parts and conventions.
(no author listed)
A Coloring Book of Tutankhamun
. Santa Barbara, Ca.: Bellerophon Books, 1978.
One of a series of beautiful well-researched coloring books that cover a particular historical period. Excellent line drawings that clearly show details of dress, equipment, and cultural activities of the ancient Egyptians.