The lure of treasure hunting got its hooks into Howard Carter at a young age, as did the undeniable appeal of ancient mummies. It seems inevitable, therefore, that he would become an Egyptologist, though no one could have predicted he'd make one of archaeology's greatest discoveries: the tomb of Tutankhamun. Fern and Kulikov (Barnum's Bones?, 2012) unearth another of history's monumental finds in their picturesque biography of Carter, following him from his first job copying art at Egyptian digs to his systematic studies of archaeological methods and ancient Egypt, which led to his career as a skilled excavator. Though Carter's talent and ambition cannot be denied, Fern has no qualms about highlighting his gloomy disposition and somewhat disagreeable character, frequently pointing out his being "in a funk." Thankfully this didn't dissuade Lord Porchester (aka Lord Carnarvon) from hiring Carter, whose 1922 discovery has never been matched. Kulikov's beautiful artwork reflects the richness of both desert and tomb, and creative page layouts draw the eye. An arresting addition to the trove of Tut tomes.

Fern shares with readers the life of archaeologist Carter--his boyhood fascination with all things Egyptian, his dreams of one day finding a mummy (he eventually discovered Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922), and his dedicated self-study of Egyptology--emphasizing his painstaking attention to detail throughout. Kulikov's mixed-media illustrations, which reflect the hues of the Egyptian desert, beautifully complement and extend the text, incorporating occasional comedic touches. Bib.

Fern and Kulikov, collaborators on the picture-book biographies Barnum's Bones (2012) and W is for Webster (2015), bring the self-taught archaeologist who discovered King Tut's tomb to life. Howard Carter's obsession with mummies began when he was a boy in England and visited a nearby mansion filled with ancient Egyptian artifacts. Carter dreamed of discovering a mummy himself. At 17, he took a job copying ancient art for the Egypt Exploration Fund. Awed by the art and architecture he sketched and copied, Carter was eager to make discoveries of his own. He taught himself the methodologies of archaeology, Arabic, geology, Egyptian history, and how to read hieroglyphics. As an antiquities inspector for the Egyptian government, Carter excavated several tombs only to find they had been looted. Undaunted, Carter devised a plan to excavate every unsearched inch in the Valley of the Kings. His dogged persistence paid off in 1922 when he discovered the treasure-filled tomb of Tutankhamun. Quoting from Carter's own account, Fern infuses her story with excitement. She describes Carter as having a "funky personality" with a "stubborn attitude and worse table manners"; Kulikov's exaggerated illustrations energetically capture Carter's ambition and fascination with his subject. An engaging and informative true story of perseverance and discovery. (author's note, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 7-9)