Gr 3-7-Dating back some 10,000 years, and consisting of a series of henges, barrows, avenues, and standing stones erected over millennia by peoples without a written language, this site holds numerous "secrets" (or mysteries). The simply written, informative text appears on sweeping artwork and serves as captions for the sketches that appear along the margins of each spread. The authors present the historical background, offering a glimpse at the peoples who built a series of structures over the centuries and what rituals or ceremonies might have warranted such monumental efforts. Lavishly illustrated with semi-cartoon watercolors (with individuals making such comments as, "Heave ho!" and "Come on, lads.PADDLE!"), there are also informative sketches, maps, and diagrams clinging to the margins, all of which add to the book's eye appeal. Preceded by a helpful glossary, a time line graces the final endpapers. Less demanding than Marc Aronson's complex If Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge (National Geographic, 2010), this slender work will be a revelation for newcomers to the topic and for the curious of mind.-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An engaging introduction to the mind-boggling monument that has held tight to its secrets for thousands of years. Manning and Granstrm have assembled what is considered known about Stonehenge, plus a few shots in the not-complete dark, into this handsome and atmospheric picture book. That so little is understood about the site adds much to its allure. It is yet another wonder how the jacket flap copy gets away with "The mysteries and secrets of Stonehenge--revealed!" since the authors are careful to emphasize how little is still known. When they move into the realm of conjecture, they stick to very plausible ideas: how the stones may have been moved, suggestions relative to its orientation and its possible relationship with nearby Durrington Walls. The artwork has a lively energy--the hand is freer than David Macaulay's or Mitsumasa Anno's, but it conveys the same sense of time and place--and the text is straightforward without detracting from the stones' delightfully secretive qualities. Indeed, one of the great pleasures of this book is in imparting the fun of having these unknowns, and maybe unknowable, among us, to let the imagination work overtime trying to simply drink it all in. If we can no longer wander among the stones, which is a crying shame, this is a good start at getting into the circle's perplexity. (Informational picture book. 7-11)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

The duo behind Charles Dickens: Scenes from an Extraordinary Life (2011) this time direct their historically minded attention to a few large rocks in Britain. Well, Stonehenge did start humbly, as we learn through spreads that guide us from 10,000 years ago up until the present day. At first, Stonehenge might have been as simple as a forest clearing created to make way for the new settling (as opposed to nomadic) habits of farmers who used tools and kept animals. Gradually, the place took on increased importance, leading up to the improbable sea transport of four-ton stones from more than 250 kilometers away. Each stage is illustrated with scribbly watercolors depicting early humans going about fantastic tasks, such as rolling logs beneath the stones to keep them moving across land. Sidebars, meanwhile, use simple cave drawing-like sketches to supply facts about gods, science, farming, and alternate theories some are crazy! A great starting point on Stonehenge, made better by the authors' careful delineation of what is fact and what is speculation.--Kraus, Daniel Copyright 2010 Booklist