The Far East comes alive in this activity book centered on Marco Polo’s journey to China from Venice along the 13th-century Silk Road. Kids will join Marco as he travels by caravan through vast deserts and over steep mountain ranges, stopping in exotic cities and humble villages, until at last he arrives at the palace of the Kublai Khan. Woven throughout the tale are 21 activities that highlight the diverse cultures Marco encountered along the way. Activities include making a mythical map, creating a mosaic, fun with Feng Shui, making paper, and putting on a wayang-kulit (shadow-puppet play). Just for fun, kids will learn a few words of Turkish, Persian, Mongol, Hindi, and Chinese. A complete resource section with magnificent museums and their Web sites invites kids to embark on their own expedition of discovery.

Suggested Book Club Questions for Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Marco Polo for Kids:

• Did Janis Herbert emphasize any specific themes throughout Marco Polo for Kids? What do you think Janis Herbert is trying to explain with this theme?
• What was unique about the setting of Marco Polo for Kids and how did it affect the storyline?
• Could you relate to any of the characters? If so, which ones and why?
• How do characters change or learn throughout Marco Polo for Kids? What events caused these changes? Have you or someone you know experienced the same thing?
• How does Marco Polo for Kids reveal Janis Herbert's own perspectives about people and the world? For a lively discussion, describe why you think Janis Herbert is liberal or conservative.
• Did certain parts of Marco Polo for Kids affect you emotionally? Why did it evoke those emotions?
• Did Janis Herbert's point of view on things lend new perspective to your own view of the world?

Suggested Book Club Questions for Marco Polo for Kids: His Marvelous Journey to China, 21 Activities (For Kids series) (Non-fiction)

The following book club questions provide a starting point for creating a reading group discussion on Marco Polo for Kids:

• Did Janis Herbert make persuasive arguments in Marco Polo for Kids? Did Marco Polo for Kids change or reinforce your opinion on the subject?
• What did you learn from Marco Polo for Kids?
• How does Janis Herbert present the information and did you enjoy it?
• How is Janis Herbert biased within Marco Polo for Kids? Is there a political slant to what is being discussed and how does it impact the book?
• What, if anything, does Marco Polo for Kids make you want to read next? Why?