The famous eruption of Mount Vesuvius that snuffed out life in Pompeii and buried the town has long been a fascinating moment in history for children. This book presents that dramatic story with Mary Pope Osborne’s brief text and with stunning frescoes created by Bonnie Christensen, using the same colors, style, and technique as the ancient frescoes unearthed at Pompeii. In addition to the destruction of Pompeii and the rediscovery of the ruins nearly 1,700 years later, the book shows what daily life was like in this prosperous Roman town in the year 79 A.D.

Starred review - Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Editors' Choice

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. “Grade 3-5–After brief accounts of the events of 79 A.D. and the first archaeological investigations of the city that lay beneath the fields surrounding Mt. Vesuvius, Osborne's straightforward text focuses on the life at Pompeii at the time of the volcano's eruption. Discussions of daily activities include mention of the many types of buildings unearthed, such as private homes, bakeries, baths, and markets, as well as the activities enjoyed by the free citizens of Pompeii–concerts, plays, and gladiator fights. A large illustration, flanked on the right by two boxes containing text and a smaller picture, occupies most of each spread. Christensen's distinctive, haunting frescoes are reminiscent of the art found throughout the site. Some illustrations are copies of original artwork, while others offer glimpses into what the city may have looked like prior to the volcano's eruption, detail objects found on location, and offer readers information on dress, decoration, and architecture. The illustrations are framed with decorative patterns typical of the period and the colors used reflect those found at Pompeii, including the distinctive, earthen red of some of its most familiar frescoes. While Osborne's text does not go into great detail, it will serve as an enticing introduction to this legendary city frozen in time. Students ready for more information will be fascinated by James M. Deem's Bodies from the Ash (Houghton, 2005), illustrated with outstanding color photos.” –Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal, Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

“Gr. 2-4, younger for reading aloud. Christensen's striking, original frescoes illustrate this lively introduction to Pompeii. Osborne begins by imagining what the Roman city's residents were doing just before Mount Vesuvius' ash buried the city. Later spreads chronicle archaeological discoveries and discuss how scientists form a picture of daily life from the objects, buildings, and artworks recovered from the magnificently preserved site. The theatrical account of the ancient citizens' response to the disaster will bring children right into the history, as will the clear, succinct descriptions of how the people of Pompeii ate, bathed, shopped, and amused themselves. Christensen's unusual frescoes, with their cracked, rough-hewn surfaces and blurred figures in Roman costume, extend the sense of antiquity while making the details of ancient life (and the terror of the event) tangible. In a lovely closing, two images reinforce connections to history by juxtaposing the same street scene, shown first with a Roman Empire mother and child, then with a contemporary mother and son. A note about frescoes and a quiz close.” Gillian Engberg, Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Mary Pope Osborne is the author of the New York Times number one bestselling Magic Tree House series as well as co-author of the Magic Tree House Fact Tracker series, along with her husband, Will, and her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce. For more information, visit the Magic Tree House® website at MagicTreeHouse.com!