Author & Illustrators
We are big fans of Christina Balit’s historical picture books. Following the style of classroom favourites Escape from Pompeii and The Corinthian Girl, this new title features equally gorgeous, detailed illustrations that bring the sights and sounds of the past to life.
The story is set in Elizabethan London, where a street-singing orphan named Jack catches the attention of William Shakespeare. Before long, Jack is swept into the bustling world of the Globe Theatre, working his way up to star in A Midsummer Night’s Dream as the Fairy Queen. The reality of how child actors were treated is not glossed over, and there is both light and darkness in Jack’s experiences of stage life.
This is a spectacular, beautifully researched book that makes a fantastic accompaniment to Tudor and Shakespeare topics in KS2.
In Ancient Athens, a young slave is known only as ‘The Corinthian Girl’ in a reference to where she had been found, left by her father who couldn’t afford to keep her. She grows up learning to serve her new Athenian family by fetching, carrying, cleaning and scrubbing. Girls were unimportant; slave girls even less so. Very occasionally, she is able to play with the youngest son and her athletic talents are noticed by the master of the house, himself a famous athlete. He forms an ambitious plan for her – will it succeed?
This inspiring short story is based on the Heraean Games, a real event held every four years in honour of Hera and only open to female athletes. It is accompanied by gorgeously subtle but graphic watercolour illustrations that suit the subject matter perfectly both in style and colour palette. Readers who have enjoyed Escape from Pompeii, which has been used in classrooms for years alongside the Romans topics – will immediately recognise Christina Balit’s distinctive style.
It is pleasing to see these lesser-known Greek games brought to light to counterbalance the male perspective, which dominates the study of Ancient Greece. A highly recommendable picturebook to share alongside the study of Ancient Greece.
Escape from Pompeii tells the story of a young boy called Tranio who lives in Pompeii at the time of the famous eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79. This captivating picture book allows readers to follow the footsteps of Tranio and his friend Livia as they come to terms with the destruction of their city and find their own routes to freedom.
There is also an accompanying 2-week English unit available from KS2History.
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Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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Curriculum links (if relevant)
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