Pepi and the Secret Names
What’s inside...
Prince Dhutmose has commanded a splendid tomb to be built for his final journey to the Land of the Dead. Pepi's father is to decorate it, but how can he paint the unimaginable—the terrible gods: Horus the Hawk, Sebek the Crocodile, and Mertseger the Winged Cobra? Pepi decides to help him and, armed with his quick wits and a knowledge of secret names, the boy sets out into the wild to bring back real-life models for his father. In this magically illustrated story, young readers can solve the secret names for themselves, using a simple hieroglyphics key that brings them into the mysterious world of ancient Egypt. As he paints the animals that his son has managed to coax to serve as models for the decorations on the tomb of Prince Dhutmose, Pepi's father captures an even more important animal.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Pepi wanted to learn the secret names of the animals?
How do you think knowing the secret names helped Pepi in his task?
What qualities do you admire in Pepi, and why?
How did the interactions between Pepi and the painter shape the story?
If you could have a secret name, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and share their own secret names for their favorite animals, fostering creativity.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and learning as shown by Pepi, tying it to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Highlight the cultural aspects of the story, such as the setting in ancient Egypt, to broaden your child's worldview.
Use the illustrations in the book to explore details and ask your child what they notice and how it contributes to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: In the story, Pepi helps Prince Dhutmose to uncover secret names by diligently working through challenges, symbolizing perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by persistently working towards solving problems or completing tasks at school or in daily activities, rather than giving up easily.
Example Lesson: Value of collaboration
Explanation: Pepi teams up with Prince Dhutmose to decode hieroglyphics, showcasing how working together can achieve goals that might be difficult individually.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities and value teamwork, understanding that collective efforts often yield better results.
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation
Explanation: Through the Egyptian setting and use of hieroglyphics, the story introduces children to ancient Egyptian culture, promoting cultural understanding and appreciation.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and respect different cultures in their community or through books, fostering a more inclusive worldview.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: Pepi's quest to uncover secret names drives his desire to learn and explore, emphasizing the joy and value of being curious.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to ask questions and seek out knowledge in all areas of their life, enhancing their educational experience and understanding of the world.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The process of deciphering hieroglyphics in the story highlights the importance of critical thinking and problem-solving.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of approaching challenges with a strategic mindset, which can be applied at school or in overcoming personal obstacles.