Cathleen Small - Mummies

To Theodore and Samuel: Im glad I get to be your mummy.

Published in 2017 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC

243 5th Avenue, Suite 136, New York, NY 10016

Copyright 2017 by Cavendish Square Publishing, LLC First Edition

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Small, Cathleen.

Title: Mummies / Cathleen Small.

Description: New York : Cavendish Square, 2016. | Series: Creatures of fantasy | Includes index. Identifiers: ISBN 9781502618542 (library bound) | ISBN 9781502618559 (ebook) Subjects: LCSH: Mummies--Juvenile literature.

Classification: LCC GN293.S63 2016 | DDC 393.3--dc23

Editorial Director: David McNamara Editor: Kristen Susienka Copy Editor: Rebecca Rohan Art Director: Jeffrey Talbot Designer: Joseph Macri

Senior Production Manager: Jennifer Ryder-Talbot Photo Research: J8 Media

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Printed in the United States of America

Since the first humans walked Earth, myths and legends have engaged minds and inspired imaginations. Ancient civilizations used stories to explain phenomena in the world around them, such as the weather, the tides, and natural disasters. As different cultures evolved, so too did their stories. From their traditions and observations emerged creatures with powerful abilities, mythical intrigue, and their own origins. Sometimes, different cultures encouraged various manifestations of the same creature. At other times, these creatures and cultures morphed into entirely new beings with greater powers than their predecessors.

Today, societies still celebrate the folklore of their ancestors on-screen in TV shows and movies such as Doctor Who , Once Upon a Time, and Star Wars , and in books such as the Harry Potter and Twilight series. Some of these creatures truly existed, while others are merely myth.

In the Creatures of Fantasy series, we celebrate captivating stories of the past from all around the world. Each book focuses on creatures both familiar and unknown: the elusive alien, the grumpy troll, the devious demon, the graceful elf, the spellbinding wizard, and the harrowing mummy. Their various incarnations throughout history are brought to life. All have their own origins, their own legends, and their own influences on the imagination today. Each story adds a new perspective to the human experience and encourages people to revisit tales of the past in order to understand their presence in the modern age.

Opposite: The sarcophagus of Nitocris, believed to be the last pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty of ancient Egypt.

I MAGINE A CREATURE IN HUMAN FORM but whose flesh is largely invisible because the body is covered in strips of linen cloth from head to toe. Where the cloth has torn away, you can see glimpses of rotted, decaying flesh. This creature with its rotting skin must be deadbut then, its not. Its alive, and its coming after you!

This is not like any living creature you knowits stronger and faster, and nothing you do seems to stop it! Knives and bullets dont stop it, so you try something else: you expose it to the searing heat of a roaring fire. No luck! Next, you lead it into a deep freezer, hoping to freeze the beast to death. No luck!

Before you know it, the creature begins to throw things at you, but not by using its hands. It seems to be using its mini to do it! And then, it unleashes a swarm of bugs that seems to swallow you!

What is happening, you wonder? Well, my friend, it seems youve just met a mummy. And hes angry because you invaded his sacred resting spot when you were playing around with your friends, exploring that old cave you found.

So what can you do? Well, youve already angered the creature, so your best bet now is to try to understand what motivates him and what he wants so you can get out of this situation. Lucky for you, youve got this book to help you.

What is a Mummy?

In reality, a mummy is simply a very well-preserved body. Mummies occur by natural means and as part of cultural rituals, and they are found all around the worldand no, they arent really going to unleash a swarm of insects on you. That is, unless you believe the myth of the mummy.

What is the Myth?

There is a certain allure to the idea of preserved bodies from a storytelling standpoint. We are used to thinking of dead bodies as either decaying over the years as they lie in their coffins or as being cremated and rapidly turned into a pile of ash. But if you introduce a mummified body into the mixwell, suddenly youve got some good storytelling material. The what ifs are endless. What if the person isnt really dead? What if the person could come back to life? What if the person set a curse upon their death? What if a human activated that curse? Suddenly, theres a story, and everyone loves a good story.