Author & Illustrators

David Long Books

We Are the Romans: Meet the People Behind the History

Non-fiction

If you’re teaching a topic that includes a look at Roman Life then this book will enrich your curriculum and would be useful both when planning and for wider reading and research from students.

After a short introduction to the Roman Empire, on each page we travel back in time to meet a member of Ancient Roman Society, from all walks of life – a diverse selection from slave to Emperor. As they tell their individual stories, we learn about the hierarchy and workings of Roman Society and the everyday lives of many people, including some of the more ‘interesting’ details from history that children love! As well as gaining a glimpse into the luxurious lives of the rich, we learn about the hard life lived by legionaries from Secundus Nigilius, who often marches 30 miles a day; scribe Cordia Verbis teaches us how she mixes ink from soot and glue; and the Banker, Lucretius Tappo, teaches us the origins of the English word ‘money.’

The final pages of the book include more general information: a map of the Roman Empire, a timeline of key events, lists of famous Romans, inventions and Gods and Goddesses. They also include interactive elements. You can learn Latin and Roman Numerals and there’s a recipe to follow too (thankfully it’s for baking bread and not for the Roman delicacy of dormice dipped in honey!)

Everest

David Long & Stefano Tambellini

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

Nearly everyone has heard of Mount Everest. Towering over the Himalayas, it is probably the most famous mountain in the world. Equally, Edmund Hillary and the Sherpa, Tenzing Norgay, became household names when they became the first climbers to reach the top and descend safely again in May 1953. But what of all the climbers who tried and failed? What are the challenges and obstacles facing a team trying to reach the 8,849 metre-high summit of the ‘Peak of Heaven’?

This fascinating book by the award-winning David Long looks at the history of the race to reach the top. It is packed full of fascinating information about the challenges climbers face on the mountain, about the differences between modern climbing equipment and that used in the past, as well as the personal stories behind some of the attempts (he goes into detail about the failed attempt by Mallory and Irving in 1924, as well as the successful Hillary/Norgay expedition).

The illustrations by Stefano Tambellini not only help to set the scene but also provide extra information. The picture comparing Mount Everest to other well-known mountains, for example, is simple yet effective. The book ends on a thought-provoking note – apparently, Everest is now littered with rubbish. At such a high altitude doing a litter pick is dangerous, yet there are teams of intrepid people trying to safeguard Everest’s natural beauty. Even at these high altitudes, humans are still managing to leave their mark, and not always in a good way.

Romans Magnified

Daniel Spacek & David Long

Non-fiction

A treasure trove of information about the Ancient Romans presented in a seek-and-find format, with a magnifying glass included.

This fun and interactive book includes different scenes depicting daily life for the Ancient Romans, each with hundreds of miniature cartoon-style figures going about their daily activities. Readers familiar with the Where’s Wally? books will dive right in without hesitation as they search for different characters, animals, symbols and objects that all build up to create a detailed picture of different aspects of the Ancient Roman civilisation.

Each page also contains chunks of text with explanations or facts to add context alongside each scene. This is an appealing and engaging book set to entertain and inform young readers exploring the Romans topic.

Ancient World Magnified

Andy Rowland & David Long

Non-fiction

A treasure trove of information about the Ancient World, presented in a seek-and-find format, with a magnifying glass included.

This fun and interactive book includes different scenes depicting daily life in Ancient civilizations both known and unfamiliar, including Babylonia, Ancient China, the Mongol Empire and the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Readers familiar with the Where’s Wally? books will dive right in without hesitation as they search for different characters, animals, symbols and objects that all build up to create a detailed picture of different aspects of each Ancient Civilisation.

Survival in Space

David Long & Stefano Tambellini

Dyslexia-friendly

April 1970: Apollo 13 was launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It should have been the third manned Apollo mission to land on the moon. But when an explosion on board damaged the spacecraft, it became a perilous and near-impossible fight for survival. The crew on board travelled further into space than any other humans before them … In this gripping retelling of the astonishing Apollo 13 mission, David Long shows how courage, determination and teamwork succeeded in beating all odds to bring the spacecraft home. Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant or dyslexic readers aged 8+.

Amazing Treasures

David Long & Studio Muti

Non-fiction

Amazing Treasures is a new non-fiction gem by author and historian, David Long whose previous titles include the award-winning Survivors.

Presented in hard-back with evocative illustrations throughout, Amazing Treasures promises us 100+ mind-boggling objects and places considered to be ‘treasures’, both ancient and modern. The book opens with an explanation of what is considered a treasure – the perfect opening for a young reader wanting to understand why we become so fascinated by the world’s treasures, why people aspire to own them and why, perhaps, they need to be protected and preserved.

Amazing Treasures features a world of treasure hoards, sunken treasures and natural wonders, all written in a highly accessible way for young readers. A map – and who doesn’t love those? – in the centre of the book shows children where in the world each treasure is or was located. David Long gives just enough information for children to find out about each treasure but leaves them with the desire to find out more. For teachers, this book could be used as a platform to further learning and investigation or used to dip into to broaden children’s knowledge and curiosity of the world around them. This is a book to be pored over – as I did when it first arrived. I can also imagine it being returned to again and again. I loved that the book was presented in a matt finish and that photos were replaced by beautiful illustrations by Muti as it gives it a timeless appeal.

This book is perfect for KS2 readers and would be a great addition to any classroom or home. The subjects covered in Amazing Treasures will spark a journey of discovery for any inquisitive child and would have a deserved space in the non-fiction area of the classroom. As you can tell, I loved this book and am already planning to use it in the classroom with my own class. It’s simply a treasure of a book in its own right.

Tragedy at Sea

David Long & Stefano Tambellini

Chapter book, Dyslexia-friendly

On 10 April 1912, RMS Titanic set sail from Southampton on her maiden voyage to New York. This “Ship of Dreams” was the largest and most luxurious ocean liner in the world. It was claimed she was unsinkable. But four days later, when the ship struck an iceberg, the loss of Titanic and over 1,500 passengers would become one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.

In this fact-filled retelling of its construction and doomed maiden voyage, David Long brings Titanic’s tragic tale to life.

The Story of the London Underground

David Long & Sarah McMenemy

Non-fiction

When the first passengers climbed aboard the earliest ever underground train in 1863, it would have been impossible to imagine how the London Underground would change and grow over the next 150 years. From smelly steam trains running along a single track to the innovative electric tube system speeding through a vast network of tunnels beneath our feet today, the London Underground keeps this busy city on the move. The Story of the London Underground tells the extraordinary history of the world’s most famous underground railway. Explore Victorian London as the Brunels dig deep under the Thames. Take refuge in the tunnels during World War II and discover which world leader’s bath was found in an abandoned station. Marvel at the famous fossil wall, deserted ghost stations and unusual spiral escalators that are all part of the London Underground’s fascinating history. Published in association with TfL, this beautiful book from Blue Peter Award-winning author David Long and exceptionally talented artist Sarah McMenemy tells a captivating story of the London Underground that will delight children and grown-ups alike.

The Buildings that Made London

David Long & Josie Shenoy

Non-fiction

Take an incredible journey through the streets of London and see beautiful buildings as you’ve never seen them before! An elegant horizon of historic masterpieces mixed with sleek modern skyscrapers, the familiar London skyline seems to change every year. Using original architectural drawings from The National Archives brought to life by stunning artwork by Josie Shenoy, discover the rich heritage of some of London’s most iconic buildings.

Castles Magnified

David Long & Harry Bloom

Non-fiction

A treasure trove of information about castles, presented in a seek-and-find format, with fun a magnifying glass included. This interactive book includes information about castles through history. Readers familiar with the Where’s Wally? books will dive right in without hesitation as they search for different characters, historical figures, symbols and objects that all build up to create a detailed picture of different aspects of castle life.

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