Bog Bodies

 

Bog Bodies is an interesting anthropology title and part of a series for primary school readers, Digging Up the Past. This volume is by Trudy Becker. Due out 1st Aug 2025 from North Star Editions on their Apex imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in library binding and paperback formats. 

This is a well written set of illustrated books aimed at early readers (~7-9 years). Simple text and full page photographs show some of the background locations where bog bodies have been discovered, how the environments where they were buried caused them to mummify, and how scientists can study them to learn a great deal about the lives of the people who lived unimaginably long ago (thousands of years). 

This would be a superlative choice for public or school library acquisition. The author/publisher have included a simple glossary, a few discussion questions, and some links to more information and further learning. It would also make a good addition to the home library, especially for science interested youngsters.

The pictures do show some of the mummies (see cover illustration), but they're not scary, are figleafed, and the pictures are not disrespectful or overly shocking or outré. The information is given in very simple text in highlighted text boxes inserted into the photos.

Four stars. Well written, clearly illustrated, and age appropriate. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.