This month the Poppins Book Nook is about Wizards. I looked up the definition to make sure that my book choice was appropriate.
Wizards, Sorcerers and Magicians, Oh My!
wiz·ard (w
z
rd)
n.
Wizards (or Magicians) in Rick Riordan’s Kane Chronicles
This is the graphic novel. The characters look much older than they are in the chapter book but the graphic novel is great to draw in reluctant readers.
My mom friend Laurie raves about Riordan audio books. They are expensive though. Try your public library. If you have access, a library for the seeing impaired will also have it.- Their parents appear to be dead. Mum in a blast at Cleopatra’s Needle. Dad trapped in a golden sarcophagus at the British Museum.
- The world is in a battle of chaos versus order and chaos in the form of a gigantic snake named Apophis, appears to be have the upper hand.
- The other magicians around the world want to destroy the Kanes.
- Ra the sun god needs to lead the attack against chaos, but he appears to be senile
Ancient Egyptian Gods: Which One Are You?
The three chapter books are not as popular as Riordan’s Percy Jackson series but we enjoyed them just as much. It could be that Ancient Egyptian mythology is not as well known as Greek or Roman so it’s more challenging for kids to follow. Rick Riordan has a helpful guide to the Egyptian gods.
The god of the sun, Ra was the first pharaoh of the world, back in the days when gods inhabited Egypt. From Rick Riordan’s website.
My son and I enjoyed comparing them to the Greek gods, but I found a game where you can discover which Egyptian god you are from QuizFarm.
Here are some of the questions:
| do you feel the laws today are in place for a good reason? | Disagree | Agree | |
| do you enjoy astrology? | Disagree | Agree | |
| do you believe in truth? | Disagree | Agree | |
| do you think everything needs order? | Disagree | Agree |
Answer the 33 questions to discover your inner Egyptian god. Perhaps you are a godling too!
I scored as Thoth who is the God of knowledge, hieroglyphs, and wisdom.
Image of Thoth from Rocket to Luna
Thoth is the god of wisdom, letters, the recording of time, science, magic, the scribe at the divine court. He is depicted as ibis-headed, often carrying a scribes pallet or a papyrus. He is said to be self- created before creation, the one who gave Ptah the Word that caused everything to come into being. He is also seen as a moon- god, possibly because he won the five sacred days of the year from the moon-god Khonshu in a game of draughts. Your Symbols: ibis, baboon, writing palette and reed pens.
Craft for The Kane Chronicles: Paint a Stick to Make Your Own Magic Wand or Staff
In the Kane Chronicles series, magicians have a lot of paraphernalia to cast spells. They use clay and wax to make figurines. They have staffs, wands, crooks, and flails. And there are all different types of magic from healing magic to earth magic to chaos magic.
With all the Riordan books, my son and I were left feeling like 1) we could be half-god or house a god, 2) we might have undiscovered magical powers, and 3) we just need some training to find out.
Make your own wand or staff and maybe you will discover magical powers within you! We are still working on polishing ours.
Painted Sticks from Anne With an E. Aren’t hers gorgeous?
These are ours.
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My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
I love the painted sticks! I did the quiz & I am Isis 🙂
Hi Karyn,
The quiz was fun, wasn’t it? I am Thoth. Isis is a good one! It was surprisingly fun to paint the sticks. We used tempera paint but they would be great with acrylic. The colors would really pop then!
Love the Egyptian mythology game! I find it just as fascinating as Greek or Roman mythology. As far as wizards go, I still don’t understand why and fantasy books in general are so popular with kids. Guess I was personally just never into that genre.
Hi Barbara,
I have two kids who love fantasy action adventure, and one who doesn’t at all!
My daughter has read every one of those books. I’m glad she’s learned so much about mythology. She loves it!
Hi Asian Mommy,
We are huge fans too! Me and 2 out of 3 of my kids. Can’t wait for the new Riordan this fall!
I never thought to try Matthew with a graphic novel and no one is more reluctant than him 😉 He also loves facts so this would be super. I love your sticks what a neat idea! Thanks, Mia.
Hi Catherine,
The audio books are working really well with my other young reluctant reader friend who like Percy Jackson but it’s too difficult for him so far. He also liked the graphic novel (after he heard the book). He followed the audio along with the hard copy so he got all the benefits of reading the book without the frustration. It also helped him to connect with his friends who were reading the book and acting it out at recess. (The fighting part, of course).
Looks like an interesting book, and I love the painted sticks!
Thanks so much Ashley!!
Great post with some great ideas. I haven’t read The Kane Chronicles yet but intend to in the future.
I’ve dropped by as part of the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Thanks so much for stopping by S. W. I love the KidLit Blog Hop.
I love The Kane Chronicles, and these activities are AWESOME!!
Thanks for sharing with the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Thanks Katie! I hope Riordan pens a second series based on the Kane Chronicles characters. I didn’t get enough and seemed to leave a door open for that.
Awesome activities. I haven’t read the Kane Chronicles yet but I know I will soon enough with all the buzz over them. Thanks for joining us again on the kidlitbloghop
Thanks Julie,
We love that series!
I love ALL mythology – I’m not discerning that particular way! lol I would love that series, no doubt. I took the quiz and apparently I’m Ptah, the God of creation, masonry and crafts. Who knew? That was fun! Thanks for sharing this in the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Hi Renee,
That quiz is fun! I’m not surprised you are Ptah … your blog is a wonderful creation! Thanks for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Aw, thanks Mia – that’s very sweet of you. Hope you are having a lovely Sunday. 🙂
Thanks Renee! Hope you are too!
I love Rick Riordan, I really hope he has a follow on series to the Kane Chronicles.
Now, I’m gonna go try the “which Egyptian god are you quiz”
Hi Ticia,
What Egyptian God or Goddess did you turn out to be? I just read about Son of Sobek, Rick Riordan’s latest book in the works. You will be excited too: Percy Jackson meets Carter Kane!!!! How awesome is that?! I can’t wait and my 8-year-old son will be over the moon. We love both series too. And I think he could easily write another series for the Kane Chronicles. He left it wide open by having that magician ghost Setne free!
I am off to try the quiz now. My son and I love Rick Riordan’s books. Love the painted sticks!
Thanks Jill! Let me know what god or goddess you are! It’s a fun quiz!