The Giant Book of the Mummy: 9

``Bigger is better'' appears to be the guiding principle behind this Brobdingnagian tome (it measures approximately 16 24). Unfortunately, spreads make no significant use of the extra space: while there are large illustrations, with details accentuated in a sort of Dorling Kindersley-style format, the exaggerated size serves essentially to draw attention to weak spots in the art (an occasionally faded palette, a frequent lack of nuance). Although the unwieldy pages make actual reading a chore, the contents are in fact rather more than the title promises--David discusses not just mummies and mummification but many facets of Egyptian culture during the reign of King Tutankhamen, including religion, palace routines, and hunting and warfare practices. Her writing is clear yet specific (we learn that mummification required about 70 days, for example). One wishes that the publisher had decided to emphasize David's text by choosing a less spectacular format. Ages 8-12. (May)