Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art

by Hannah Salyer (Author) Hannah Salyer (Illustrator)

Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

This striking nonfiction picture book investigates who created ancient wall art that's been discovered around the world, and why--the exact answers may be out-of-reach, but the investigation is half the fun.

Complete with extensive backmatter, including a bonus double fold-out gatefold, Ancestory is perfect company for pictorial nonfiction by Jason Chin and Candace Fleming.

Around the world, our ancient ancestors' mysterious art is left behind on cave walls, in rain forests, and with ink made from charcoal and crushed clay. These people told their stories in magnificent drawings that still speak to us today, echoing across generations.In her own stunning artwork that features the deserts of North America to the caves of Papua New Guinea, Hannah Salyer showcases ancient rock paintings, drawings, and etchings and invites us to add to the ongoing story--our ancestory.

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Hardcover
$19.99

Kirkus

Starred Review

How extraordinary that ancient ancestors call out to us from the rocks we see all around. Excellent explanatory backmatter concludes this fascinating book.

ALA/Booklist

Breathtaking illustrations capture the beauty and power of prehistoric artwork with remarkable precision. This luminous picture book about humanity's shared stories is full of discoveries.

School Library Journal

K-Gr 4--In this informative picture book, Salyer uses brilliant images to present the "history" found in rocks and cave art, making a connection between ancient artists and creators in modern times. Due to the topic's broad scope, Salyer asks more questions than she answers, which also reflects the mystery that still surrounds the creation of these artifacts. The outstanding features of the book are its art and powerful message. The ideas that our ancestors took time to create despite the challenges of survival they faced, and that humans' creative drive carries on to this day, will resonate with readers. Multimedia illustrations include photographs of ceramic structures, charcoal, and digital art. The smudged images filled with shadows and silhouettes are reminiscent of cave paintings but clearly executed in a modern style. Salyer depicts realistic artifacts of rock art down to the texture. The book peaks at its double gatefold where "the figures dance, leap and run" in a cave illuminated by flame, the shape of the rock structures making the figures "seem to emerge from the wall." The rest of the book does not rise to this level of informative detail. The back matter (map, author's note, time line, glossary, resource list) may prove too sophisticated for the intended audience and fails to put some terms into context (the definition of "Indigenous" may confuse children). VERDICT A lush and vibrant picture book which will leave readers wanting to know more. Supplement with additional nonfiction resources.--Clara Hendricks

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

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Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780358469841
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
April 11, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF003050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures
JNF038100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States
JNF006040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | History
JNF038080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Middle East
JNF038030 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Australia & Oceania
JNF016000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Curiosities & Wonders
JNF002000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Adventure & Adventurers
JNF038060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Europe
JNF038090 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Polar Regions
JNF038010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | Africa
JNF025150 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Prehistoric
Library of Congress categories
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