Rome Antics

by David Macaulay

A pigeon carrying an important message takes the reader on a unique tour through Rome. As we follow the path of this somewhat wayward bird, we discover that Rome is a place where past and present live side by side. It is a city that has been recycling itself for two thousand years, but unlike a museum, Rome displays its remarkable history without respect for chronology. A new electric bus travels over cobblestone streets just ten feet above the floor of an ancient stadium. Inscriptions from tombs and temples share wall space with neon. Every time a corner is turned there is a surprise, just as every turn of the page brings a new perspective. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern, as seen with David Macaulay's ingenious vision, gives the reader an imaginative and informative journey through this wondrous city.

Genres: Picture Books, Italy, Childrens, Architecture, History, Nonfiction, Art

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

David Macaulay, born in 1946, was eleven when his parents moved from England to Bloomfield, New Jersey. He found himself having to adjust from an idyllic English childhood to life in a fast paced American city. During this time he began to draw seriously, and after graduating from high school he enrolled in the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). After spending his fifth year at RISD in Rome on the European Honors Program, he received a bachelor’s degree in architecture and vowed never to practice. After working as an interior designer, a junior high school teacher, and a teacher at RISD, Macaulay began to experiment with creating books. He published his first book, Cathedral, in 1973. Following in this tradition, Macaulay created other books—including City, Castle, Pyramid, Mill, Underground, Unbuilding, and Mosque—that have provided the explanations of the how and the why in a way that is both accessible and entertaining. From the pyramids of Egypt to the skyscrapers of New York City, the human race’s great architectural and engineering accomplishments have been demystified through Macaulay's elaborate show-and-tells. Five of these titles have been made into popular PBS television programs.

Reviews

[Thomas Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pigeon flies around Rome.

79 pages. ISBN 0395822793. 1997.

A four-minute read.

[Andrex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Studying Ancient Rome in our homeschool, this book was a worthy addition to our studies. At first glance one might think the contents really simple and just for younger kids. WRONG! Whilst the storyline is definitely suitable for a younger reading audience there is a LOT of information here. Most pages inform the reader in small print the locale the homing pigeon is in. There's even some hide and seek for the reader to find the pigeon. Some wit comes in with a dog and cat, not to mention the poor bird being hit by a soccer ball resulting in it being turned upside down along with the art. Yes, you do need to turn the book around to see the place the right way up!

Incredible art work depicts the even more incredible architecture of Rome. At the end of the book you will find a lot more detail on the actual places visited. The kids and I enjoyed reading this book that we borrowed from our local library. I was not required to write a review but chose to do so. Thanks, Liz

[Kristen Fort · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern day Rome from a bird's eye view. Beautifully illustrated by Macaulay's black and white style, the bird gets a line of red color to follow her path in delivering a message.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of people really like this book. I did not. Although, the red line of the bird's flight path was interesting, the black and white illustrations were not particularly engaging for my young kids. But, I was intrigued by the larger map of Rome in the back of the book and the descriptions of each of the Roman landmarks "flown" by. I'll look to check this book out again when my kids are a bit older and can appreciate the architecture elements more.

[Jeshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Realistic
grade: 3rd-6th
For a more curious mind, this story does not offer any right colors or funny cartoons, but offers brilliantly drawn views of historical buildings in Rome. Though it is not designed for the story, the story of the Pigeon does hold attention, and intrigue.

[Sarah Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and informative picture book! The perspectives in the illustrations are so creative and engaging. Macaulay makes creative use of the medium to introduce us to the many architectural wonders of Rome. This book was relaxing and fun, and provided some relief as I am also currently reading a book with much heavier and complicated topics.

[briz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A carrier-pigeon's-eye view of the Eternal City, lovingly - meticulously - dazzlingly rendered. I am in awe of Macauley's dizzying mastery of perspective. But I guess that's what you get with a RISD degree in architecture? This made me nostalgic for Rome.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool info and detailed drawings, but otherwise just a bit dull.

[Joshua · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spectacular art. Just a masterclass in perspective and details.

[Rogue Male · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10

[Melanie Gaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing ink illustrations! It was a cute and simple story following a messenger pigeon around Rome. The best parts were the intricate drawings and the pigeon's path.

[Donald Schopflocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful revisiting of Rome with Macaulay’s detailed pencil drawings, this time from a bird’s eye perspective. A travel guide for the impatient!

[Ellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A unique, sweet picture book about a pigeon exploring Rome.

[Adrianne Rosal · Rating 5 out of 5]

The tale of a pigeon.

[Mitya Bridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny little book, with very few words, about a pigeon in Rome delivering a romance letter (hence the title.) If you're looking to make your girlfriend laugh, definitely give her this book.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A literal bird's eye view of Rome as a carrier pigeon swoops through the modern city - strangely drawn in a much darker tone than Macaulay's usual style.

[Sweet on Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This unique book will inspire a love of architecture, travel and history. Each drawing is marked with the name of the building or area it represents, so that readers will know where the pigeon is flying. For readers who want additional information, the sights are described in more detail in the back of the book. The detailed drawings, done in black and white, offer an alluring peek into the city of Rome. The only color, a sweeping red line, zooms and swirls across the pages, revealing the flight of the pigeon. There is very little text on each page as the illustrations are really the story here. While it is done in picture book format, due to its length and subject, this book is really for older readers

The story begins as a homing pigeon flies off to Rome on a delivery assignment. Rather than taking her usual, efficient route, she makes an “unprofessional” decision and chooses to do some sightseeing along the way. Her flight takes her past famous buildings (like the Colosseum and The Forum), ancient ruins, gardens and squares. She runs into birds, cats, a dog and some fellow pigeons resting on a ledge. From her vantage point, she is able to observe the city from an unusual and special point of view. She sees ancient culture – Roman numerals carved into an old building – merge with the sign for a modern restaurant. She notices people going about their daily business, doing ordinary things like cleaning their houses. Mixed in with the historic architecture are contemporary elements like a cell phone and a postcard salesman wearing a slick outfit and sunglasses. After a long (and sometimes bumpy) trip, she returns home and delivers an answer to her employer, leaving the reader satisfied that the mission has been completed.

[Melissa Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting-more of a picture book about a pigeon flying around Rome...but might make an interesting references for a project on Rome. The last 4 pages describe the buildings in Rome and their significance.

"A pigeon carrying an important message takes the reader on a unique tour through Rome. As we follow the path of this somewhat wayward bird, we discover that Rome is a place where past and present live side by side. It is a city that has been recycling itself for two thousand years, but unlike a museum, Rome displays its remarkable history without respect for chronology. A new electric bus travels over cobblestone streets just ten feet above the floor of an ancient stadium. Inscriptions from tombs and temples share wall space with neon. Every time a corner is turned there is a surprise, just as every turn of the page brings a new perspective. This juxtaposition of ancient and modern, as seen with David Macaulay's ingenious vision, gives the reader an imaginative and informative journey through this wondrous city."

[Tammie Soccio · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cleverly told tale of a rebel pigeon who is carrying an important message through Rome. Macaulay shows the sights of Rome though the pigeon's perspective. Instead of taking the most direct route as most pigeons take, this one decides to the scenic route. The illustrations are hand drawn in black and white with just the pigeons route in red. Macauly shows the true Rome with two thousand year old sites meshing seamlessly with the new. At the end it is left to the reader to interpret the important message and each historical site is described in detail. A great choice for upper elementary or middle school Roman studies.

[Jessalyn King · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting take on Rome. Having recently visited it, I recognized a few of the buildings and piazzas, and learned a bit more about them (as well as some about places I didn't get to visit). I'm not sure what the age group intended for this book is... The story itself (the pigeon's eye view of Rome) is probably good for 2-6, but then the explanations at the back are much more 9-12... But it's good. I should get a copy as a Rome souvenir!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Macaulay's early books when I was younger, so I picked up this one at my local library as I've never read it before. This was different from his books on how things are made. It's a pigeon flying through modern Rome, seeing the sights. Each building is marked with a name, so you can look in the back to see where it is on a map and then learn a little about the building or monument. Mildly entertaining, but I doubt I'll read it again.

[Bruce Nordstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

To say, "I read this book," seems like an overstatement. Since there are about ten words per page, it didn't take long to "read." But I enjoyed this book, as it gives you a slow and wonderfully drawn tour of Rome, Italy through the eyes of a pigeon. You see famous building and forums in a most unique manner not seen in the National Geographic. Very nice. "read," once, then go back through and enjoy the pictures. Or let someone who is too little to read help you here.

[Cindy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story book, Rome Antics gives fictionist story to true facts about Rome. It represents its ancient structures of Rome and demonstrates the romanticizing of their culture. This book would be a great fun addition to the study of Rome. Fun book to read, nice for predicting next stop for the pigeon and last pages presents facts about the structures of Rome.

[Yuki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This random find at Strand Books brings back wonderful memories of visiting Rome! In the last pages are a hand-drawn map following the pigeon's path, with places of interest numbered. The history and significance of each is explained in a paragraph. Seems like a fun way to introduce this amazing city to young ones.

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can see how this book would delight children and adults alike if they had visited (or are going to visit) Rome. A homing pigeon serves as your tour guide of the ancient ruins within the hustle and bustle of modern Rome.

[C. Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, precise drawings, as always with David Macaulay books. My children loved tracing the red pencil path of the homing pigeon, and asked for more details about the sights the pigeon passed. I was grateful that there were brief descriptions of the locations at the end of the book.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Art is lovely. Story is very nicely written and leaves room for good inferencing. Only thing I didn't care for was the red stripe showing the pigeon's path. At first, I thought a kid had attacked the book with a highlighter. It'd be better without it.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pigeon's view of the eternal city. A sweet story with gorgeous drawings. Maybe it's not so bad to be a pigeon, if you can have this sort of day.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Macaulay is so creative! I love all his books. This one is a view of Rome from a carrier pigeon's point-of-view. Very fun!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

So so so so lovely! One of my favorite Italy books. And our pigeon friend flies right through the Palazzetto Cenci up into Macaulay's old room!