This book is a nonfiction picturebook written for older primary school readers, but it will appeal to readers of all ages, adults included! It gives an engaging historical account of Cleopatra’s life according to ancient Roman and Greek biographies of the famous Egyptian queen. Authors Diane Stanley and Peter Vennema do an excellent job of pointing out when the sources aren’t reliable, and they give good alternative theories that are based on the evidence. Readers should be aware that the authors don’t pull any punches. Cleopatra is a great leader and a brilliant politician, but her attempt to restore Egypt to its former glory is doomed to failure, as are Cleopatra’s romances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. The book touches on Cleoparta’s dynastic marriage to her brother Ptolemy, the age gap between Caesar and Cleopatra, and her and Antony’s suicides. 

The illustrations are inspired by ancient art, and are as lavish as anyone could hope. The text is set against Roman mosaics, and fans of Mediterranean art will recognise most of the art and architecture in the backgrounds. For a book illustrated in 1994, it does a decent job of representing the people of ancient Mediterranean, but I wish that there were more people of African descent in the pictures to reflect how diverse and multicultural Cleopatra’s Egypt was.There are two really excellent maps, one of the Mediterranean with important historical notes, and one of the battle of Actium. Finally, the authors have included a helpful pronunciation guide in the back. The bibliography is a little advanced for most young readers, but older readers may find it useful.  

This picturebook is a great read for readers of all ages. It has all the drama, political intrigue, and romance anyone could ask for, and all of it true. – Krishni Burns