The earliest Egyptians cleaned their teeth with powdered ox hooves, myrrh, eggshells and pumice. How they applied such a yummy mix of flavors and textures to their teeth is unknown. Ancient Romans scrubbed their choppers with a toothpaste made of rock salt and nettle (a variety which the Romans used to polish glass). They probably threw in a fragrant flower or two to make … [Read more...] about The Ancients where ‘Whizzes’ at Bleaching Teeth
Ancient Egypt
Mummies, Coffins and Kids
At Egypt camp last week, we quieted 33 loud and rambunctious kids—aged 9-13—everyday with a single phrase: “Let me tell you a story.” Even the older ones, those on the cusp of being “way too cool” for such things, stopped to listen. My friend Diane Capriola, awesome owner of LITTLE SHOP OF STORIES in Decatur, and I ran the camp based on Rick Riordan’s latest book, THE RED … [Read more...] about Mummies, Coffins and Kids
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?
