Lost Cities by Giles Laroche
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 7, 2020
ISBN: 1328753646
Pages: 40
Genres: Non-Fiction
Format: Picture Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

This book is a fun introduction to many of the world’s lost cities — from Easter Island to Jamestown to Babylon, it covers the world over. Each two page spread covers one city and is complemented with very a very large illustration depicting what the city may have looked like in its prime. There are 5 sections about each city: location, who lived here, why was it lost, how was it found, and what’s mysterious. The illustrations are beautifully done and are comprised of 7 or 8 layers of paper, cut and glued allowing for a truly three-dimensional effect. The end of the book includes a map with all the cities and a timeline putting them in chronological order. There is also a page describing and showing the process of creating the artwork in the book.

This book is sure to please young readers interested in history and other cultures. The beginning of each section asks the reader to imagine what it would be like living in this lost city. It is definitely a launching point for further study as it skims the surface of what’s really known about these cities, but it is very well done and age appropriate. Recommended for 3rd grade and up.

Reviewed by Jessie Trafton, Skidompha Library, Damariscotta, ME