Actress Angelina Jolie has been signed to play Cleopatra VII, Queen of Egypt, in a remake of the famous 1963 movie starring Elizabeth Taylor. I have two thoughts about this: 1. It’s wrong. 2. It’s brilliant. First, why it’s wrong: · Cleopatra, according to Plutarch, was not gorgeous. Coins minted during her reign and busts carved during the period back this … [Read more...] about Angelina Jolie as Cleopatra. Seriously?
We Have a Winner!
Congratulations to Joyce Lansky of Tennessee who won the drawing for the signed Rick Riordan book, THE RED PYRAMID!I'm sure there is some cool way on the computer to mix up the names and pull one but I did it the old fashioned way--with little paper strips. I even had a disinterested party (trust me, she's 12--she's VERY disinterested) pick the winner. Joyce, aka Aphrodite, … [Read more...] about We Have a Winner!
Cleopatra Walks Among Us!
Cleopatra was spotted strolling the Egyptian collection at the Penn Museum (http://www.penn.museum/). The young queen--otherwise known as an intern at a local TV station--was there to publicize the Penn Museum's Egyptian collection and bring attention to The Franklin Institute's CLEOPATRA THE SEARCH FOR THE LAST QUEEN OF EGYPT show, opening June 5.My newest kids book on the … [Read more...] about Cleopatra Walks Among Us!
Oh for Crying Out Loud!
Some ancient Romans cried into little glass bottles when in mourning. Once filled, they left the tear-shaped vials in the tombs of the newly departed as a sign of respect. But for others, it wasn’t enough to have family members cry into their cups. Professional mourners were available to wail, moan and tear out their hair in honor of your terrible loss. And for an extra coin … [Read more...] about Oh for Crying Out Loud!
Cleopatra’s Jewelry—Why so Snake-y?
My fantastic editor, Cheryl Klein at Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic sent me a little present last week. (Let me just say that never in my life did I ever picture the words “my editor” and “Cheryl Klein” in the same sentence. STILL boggles…) Cheryl, The Goddess of Editing, is helping shape up my young adult novel set in ancient Egypt slated for release next summer. She … [Read more...] about Cleopatra’s Jewelry—Why so Snake-y?
