The country of Morocco has a rich history and culture, as shown in this informational text from the “Enchantment of the World” series. In a unique location in northern Africa, Morocco has absorbed cultural influences from the rest of Africa as well as Europe and the Middle East. The book details the country’s history, which has led to various other countries taking control of Morocco. The country also has vast geographical variation, with arid desert climates as well as mountains and coastal regions. Excellent photographs capture the vibe of the culture, along with descriptive captions. Alongside the text, these images and maps are both current and historical, and are placed in a variety of layouts. Each chapter spans several pages and talks about a different aspect of Morocco, starting with a broad overview and leading into chapters on the history, politics, people, occupations, and natural environment. The writing is accessible and interesting, and the authors use comparisons that are relatable to American students (the Sahara is the size of the US, or Morocco is the size of California). Additional fact boxes throughout provide more details beyond the main text. The author’s note also mentions that the authors have both traveled through Morocco. The back of the book includes a historical timeline, a list of famous Moroccan people, a “fast facts” information section, books for further reading, and web resources. Overall, this book would be an excellent resource for a social studies unit on world cultures. Reviewer: Lisa Czirr; Ages 9 to 13.
