Books on Ancient Egypt for primary school children

Non-fiction and stories that weave in Egyptian facts and historical settings

The Ancient Egyptians have been fascinating children for hundreds of years. How did they build the pyramids? How did they make mummies? Why did they worship cats?

These questions and more are explored in the following books. Most are non-fiction, but some are stories that weave in Egyptian facts and historical settings.

Perfect for the most curious of children.

  • Cinderella of the Nile

    by Beverley Naidoo, illustrated by Marjan Vafaeian 

    2018 4 to 9 years 

    • Around the world
    • Picture books

    Rhodopis is a rarity in the north of Greece, with her red hair and blue eyes. Soon, she is kidnapped and turned into a slave. When the Pharoah finds a slipper, he declares he will marry the owner. This version of the Cinderella story is based on an Egyptian tale.

  • A Mummy Ate My Homework

    by Thiago de Moraes 

    2020 6 to 12 years 

    • Diaries and journals
    • Funny
    • Historical

    Henry’s just excited about starting Year 6 – little does he know he’s about to end up getting pulled through a time portal to Ancient Egypt! Will he ever find his way back home? A real gem of a book mixing a fast-paced story with lots of facts about Ancient Egypt. 

  • Ancient Games: A History of Sports and Gaming

    by Iris Volant, illustrated by Avalon Nuovo 

    2020 9 to 12 years 

    • Around the world
    • Non-fiction

    A stunning book exploring the history of sport across the world, from the sword fighter the Lady of Yue to boat-jousting on the Nile in Ancient Egypt. As ever with Flying Eye titles, the illustration and lovely book production means that this is a special treasure of a book that kids will adore.

  • The Boy Who Stole the Pharaoh’s Lunch

    by Karen McCombie, illustrated by Anneli Bray 

    2023 6 to 9 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Historical

    When Seth is transported back in time to Ancient Egypt, can he save a friendly hyena, who is destined to become the main course at the Pharaoh’s feast? This engaging time-slip adventure is ideal for reluctant or dyslexic readers.

  • Brownstone’s Mythical Collection: Marcy and the Riddle of the Sphinx

    by Joe Todd-Stanton 

    2017 6 to 12 years 

    • Adventure
    • Comic books
    • Graphic novels
    • Myths and legends

    The second book in Joe Todd-Stanton’s Brownstone’s Mythical Collection stands alone well as a highly illustrated graphic novel for younger readers. The pictures are stunning and this is a real treat for kids that love adventure and quick reads.

  • Mummies Unwrapped

    by Tom Froese 

    2022 6 to 12 years 

    • Historical
    • Myths and legends
    • Non-fiction

    Fans of ancient Egypt or kids studying it at primary school will really enjoy this attractive guide to the mysterious practice of mummification.

  • Egyptology

    by Dugald Steer and Nick Harris, illustrated by Helen Ward 

    2004 9 to 12 years 

    • Around the world
    • Historical
    • Myths and legends
    • Non-fiction
    • Travel

    Brimming with information about Ancient Egypt with lovely interactive features

  • The Story of Tutankhamun

    by Patricia Cleveland-Peck, illustrated by Isabel Greenberg 

    2017 9 to 12 years 

    • Around the world
    • Historical
    • Non-fiction

    Everything you ever wanted to know about the famous boy-Pharaoh whose amazing tomb has taught the world so much about ancient Egypt and its people.

  • Aliya to the Infinite City

    by Laila Rifaat 

    2024 9 to 12 years 

    • Adventure
    • Around the world
    • Coming-of-age
    • Fantasy

    Featuring flying carpets, sphynxes, invisibility cream, knowledge turbans and a genie who has been trapped in a cookie tin for 152 years, this exciting fantasy adventure story also includes snippets of the rich history of Egypt. 

  • Death Sets Sail

    by Robin Stevens 

    2020 9 to 12 years 

    • Adventure
    • Thriller

    The final adventure in the Murder Most Ladylike series has a wonderful resonance with Agatha Christie’s 1930s Death on the Nile murder mystery with all its Egyptian mystery, heat and splendour.

  • Secrets of a Sun King

    by Emma Carroll 

    2018 9 to 12+ years 

    • Adventure
    • Historical

    This is a glorious historical adventure with a nimble, thrilling 1920s tale, as well as a wonderful subplot set back in Ancient Egyptian times. Somehow that all does work perfectly, due to artful weaving by Emma Carroll. A totally thrilling read.

  • Tutankhamun’s Treasure

    by David Long, illustrated by Stefano Tambellini 

    2022 6 to 12+ years 

    • Around the world
    • Chapter books
    • Historical
    • Non-fiction
    • Dyslexia

    This is an excellent retelling of the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb and two of the people who dedicated years of their lives to finding it, Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon (although did you know it was actually a young Egyptian boy who found the key to where the tomb lay hidden in the Valley of the Kings?).

  • The Curse of the Tomb Robbers

    by Andy Seed, illustrated by James Weston Lewis 

    2022 9 to 12 years 

    • Adventure
    • Historical
    • Interactive
    • Myths and legends
    • Non-fiction
    • Picture books

    This clever picture book aimed at older primary readers combines an adventure story with a series of hieroglyph codes to crack, with a comprehensive fold-out guide to hieroglyph meanings and letters at the back of the book.