Some author—I don’t remember who, or in what source, unfortunately—stated that it’s often better to expose yourself to something you love through books that are below your own reading level rather than ones by experts. That way, you get a small introduction to the concept rather than a lengthy explanation that could turn you off with all of its jargon. Children’s books often fit the bill. They maintain that level of excitement and interest that first brought you to the topic without overwhelming you with information. Plus, there are usually fun pictures or illustrations to enjoy as well.

A lovely introduction to the country, Egypt ABCs:  A Book About the People and Places of Egypt is great not just for children, but also for adults who know very little about Egypt. Written by Sarah Heiman and illustrated by Todd Ouren, the book follows the traditional alphabet format, presenting a letter of the English alphabet accompanied by an Egyptian concept on each page. For example, “A” is for Alexandria, Egypt’s main port city. Simple, clean-cut illustrations accompany each letter and factoid, providing an introduction that is interesting and keeps the reader captive without being bombarded with too much information.

From backgammon (I didn’t know that came from the Egyptian game known as senet!) to Cairo, facts about Egyptian education to a picture of the Egyptian flag, each page shows a glimpse into Egyptian lifestyle and culture as well as basic information. Clothing, such as the galabia, are highlighted, as well as one part of Egypt we’ve all at least heard of—hieroglyphics.

The book is also prefaced with the phrase “Salaam aleikum,” and a note to the reader about the translation—“Peace be upon you.” It also notes a few interesting facts, such as the population of Egypt (over 69 million), as well as presents two maps of the country—a close-up including the Nile River and a panned-out map depicting its location on the globe. The end of the book also contains some interesting activities and facts—including a few Egyptian words and their translations, how to make a cartouche necklace, and some quick statistics and fun facts about the country. Did you know that a bald head was considered beautiful on a woman in ancient Egypt?

The book is a lovely introduction, fun to read with children as well as to use on your own to satisfy a few small curiosities—or perhaps to fan the flame of interest into something bigger.