The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Heide, Florence Parry , Gilliland, Judith Heide

The House of Wisdom

42 pp. | DK Ink/Kroupa | September, 1999 | Trade ISBN 0-7894-2562-9 $$16.95

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Mary Grandpre. Ishaq, who longs to be a scholar, travels the world searching for books to add to the collection of the House of Wisdom, a giant library and learning institution in Baghdad in the 800s. The story, based on the life of one of the greatest translators of Aristotle, describes the rich and scholarly culture of the Islamic Empire and is enhanced by vivid pastel illustrations. A pronunciation guide is included. Bib.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley