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United Kingdom Topic

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United Kingdom Topic Booklist

England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland too…these are the UK countries! Take a trip around the United Kingdom, from forests and highlands to rivers and cities. Whether you’re looking for famous landmarks, capital cities, regional specialities or UK maps, we’ve got the topic covered with our list of the best children’s books about the United Kingdom…

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Children's Books about UK Geography

Rachel Dixon & Ms. Livi Gosling
Non-fiction
Take a tour of the United Kingdom as you've never seen it before in this fully illustrated set of colourful and fact-filled county maps. Travel through England , Northern Ireland , Scotland and Wales and meet the incredible people born there, learn about the UK's proud history and discover ancient castles, modern feats of engineering and natural highlights. Maps of the UK is also a beautiful atlas of the UK's history and culture , showing how Britons from all over the world have shaped the country for thousands of years. A fabulous introduction to the UK's geography, history and culture, for readers young and old.
Imogen Russell Williams
 & Louise Lockhart
Non-fiction
Introduce children to the wonders, history, culture and customs of the United Kingdom with The Big Book of the UK. Learn about the sport of "dwile flonking", find out where black diamonds come from, ,eet the supernatural animal that haunts the Scottish Highlands and discover the British sweets that helped Hillary and Tenzing scale Everest. Filled with facts about wildlife, food, sports, geography, language and some very silly place names, this book will help you uncover national secrets and unearth local legends from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Catherine Brereton
Non-fiction
This book takes readers on a journey along some of the UK's most important rivers, including the Thames, Severn, Avon and others. Readers can find out about the plants and animals that live there, the towns and cities the river passes through, and why it is important for the local economy and environment.
Izzi Howell
Non-fiction
Find out about the United Kingdom with this fun and engaging first information book. Topics include the country's geography, major cities, people and interesting places. The books in this series each have a lively design, engaging text and photos, questions to get children thinking and talking and teaching notes. Each title is written in conjunction with a literacy consultant and features book band guidance and downloadable activity sheets online.

Children's Books about UK History

Marcia Williams
Non-fiction
Meet every king and queen in the history of Britain in this lively comic-strip guide from award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams.From medieval monarchs to the newly crowned King Charles III, join award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams on an entertaining guide to every king and queen of Britain. Discover the kings who fought off the Vikings, the queen who spent the longest time on the throne, the king who died from eating too much fish, and many more. Featuring famous faces like Henry VIII and Elizabeth II, plus the lesser-known stories of the daring, the caring and the cruel who have worn the crown, this is an accessible and engaging introduction to the kings and queens of Britain, sure to inspire even reluctant readers.
Eleanor Grey
 & Rose Gerrard
Non-fiction Picturebook
Did you know the king powers his car with cheese? Or that he was the first royal to have rescue dogs in Buckingham palace? And that he likes to shake hands with trees?Discover everything there is to know about King Charles III in this beautifully illustrated book. Readers will learn about Charles' childhood as the first British royal to attend school, his efforts to protect and campaign for the environment, his incredible charity work, and much more.Along the way, meet his beloved chickens, Jack Russells and of course, his very famous family. And discover how everything from money to postboxes get a makeover when a new monarch ascends the throne.This is a perfect gift for all the family to celebrate King Charles III's coronation.
James Mayhew
Picturebook
Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure!Katie can't decide what she wants to be when she grows up. Perhaps a trip to the gallery will be an inspiration, as the characters in five famous paintings come to life! Will she be an explorer, a train driver, a horse rider or an artist...?This art adventure features five famous British paintings:The Cornfield by Constable, Rain, Steam and Speed and The Fighting Temeraire by Turner, Whistlejacket by Stubbs, and The Painter's Daughters Chasing a Butterfly by Gainsborough.
DK
 & Steve Noon
Non-fiction

This wow-factor history book takes the reader on a 12,000-year journey to find out the story of a single UK street, showing the street during a different historical period on each page. I’m incredibly nosy – I think most young readers are too – and so I love any non-fiction books that explore or peep behind closed doors. A Street Through Time does this in the best possible way and over thousands of years. You can see what people’s kitchens and bedrooms (and loos!) looked like from the Romans to the Victorians (Roman toilets I’d avoid….!). I also love how busy this book is so many brilliant details to explore again and again and how it shows the change in a single place over a long time period.

David Olusoga & Jake Alexander
 & Melleny Taylor
Non-fiction

This new illustrated children’s edition of David Olusoga’s account of Black British history is an essential book for schools – not only as an accessible and informative non-fiction read for KS2, but also as a book that I would thoroughly recommend for improving primary teachers’ own historical subject knowledge and especially those with input into their school’s curriculum design. As expressed perfectly by Lavinya Stennett (CEO of the Black Curriculum) in the Afterword, ‘This book is a testimony to the rich experiences of Black people of Britain in different periods of our history, and a reminder of the dearth of Black history in our curriculums.’

In the book, Olusoga explains the overlooked history of Black people in Britain from Roman times to the present day. Readers may be surprised to imagine the multiculturally diverse make-up of Roman Britain – and indeed to question why sources of history in primary schools may paint a historically misrepresentative picture of Roman society. Equally interesting is the development of notions of race throughout the periods of history, as the book walks chronologically through key eras. Did you know that it was only during the time of James I that the term ‘white’ was used as a description of racial identity, or that long after the abolition of slavery, the Victorians were propagating their own racist theories to justify profiting from slave-powered commerce?

The new illustrated version adds an impressive visual element with full-colour illustrations, maps, portrait galleries, timelines, and photographs. This edition makes the history behind the book accessible to a younger audience still and makes for a highly recommendable and informative non-fiction read.


Children’s Books About England

James Mayhew
Picturebook
Come on a magical tour with Katie and discover London's most famous sights! When Katie and her brother Jack visit London with Grandma, something very unexpected happens . . . One of the Trafalgar Square lions comes to life and takes them on a wonderful tour of all the best sights! Including Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben and the London Eye. Featuring many of London's key landmarks, this storybook has become a bestselling introduction to London, and is perfect for children visiting the city for the first time.
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.
Michael Bond
 & R.W. Alley
Short story collection
A collection of four stories featuring Paddington Bear in London. Paddington Bear had travelled all the way from Darkest Peru when the Brown family first met him on Paddington station. Since then their lives have never been quite the same... for ordinary things become quite extraordinary when a bear called Paddington is around.
Baroness Floella Benjamin
 & Diane Ewen
Picturebook

Baroness Floella Benjamin offers her own story of the 6000-mile journey from Trinidad to England, told for the youngest children in a picture book called Coming to England – An Inspiring True Story About the Windrush Generation.

The story explores and celebrates what it means to be a British person with Black Caribbean heritage, as well as opening doors to learning about the impact of Operation Windrush and experiences of racism. Speaking about the background to the book, Baroness Floella says,”Britain has always been a nation that’s evolved due to different races coming in, from as far back as you can go. I hope Coming to England makes people of colour feel worthy, appreciated and that they belong and that it makes white people say, ‘That could be me, what would it be like if I moved somewhere else?’.”

Children’s Books About Scotland

Chae Strathie
 & Lorraine Kelly
Non-fiction
A stunning celebration of the rich culture and fascinating history of Scotland featuring six Scottish illustrators.Discover everything that makes Scotland so special - from its iconic landmarks to its magical myths and spooky ghost stories, from its bloody battles and its rich culture ... and everything in between.With a foreword from much-loved Scotswoman Lorraine Kelly.Beautiful, full-colour illustration makes this the perfect gift.Showcases the talent of six of Scotland's top illustrators.Sections include: The Story of Scotland - illustrated by Hazel Dunn City and Country - illustrated by Jill Calder Warring Scotland - illustrated by Catriona Phillips Haunted Scotland - illustrated by Helen Kellock Legendary Scotland - illustrated by Lauren Morsley The Culture of Scotland - illustrated by Katie Smith
James Mayhew
Picturebook
Discover the sights of Scotland with this classic Katie picture book. With so much to see and do in Scotland, it's lucky that Katie, Jack and Grandma have a very special guide to show them the best spots. Join their fun-packed tour - with Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster! Landmarks featured include Glasgow's Kelingrove Park, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood, The Royal Mile, Scotland's National Gallery and Greyfriar's Bobby.
Mairi Hedderwick
Short story collection
Follow the adventures of young Katie Morag, who lives on the Scottish Island Of Struay. These endearing stories, which have now been turned into a popular CBBC series, will help children learn about the ups and downs of coastal life on a small island.
Chani McBain
 & Kirsteen Harris-Jones
Picturebook
Finlay is going on a Nessie hunt. While visiting his Gran, who lives beside Loch Ness, Finlay is determined to get proof that Nessie, the famous Loch Ness Monster, really does exist. Finlay's Gran might believe him but his big sister Sarah keeps telling him there's no such thing. Until they spot a monster-ish shape under the water ... There's no such thing as Nessie: is there? Travel to the shores of Loch Ness with Kirsteen Harris-Jones's bright, playful illustrations of the Scottish landscape accompanied by Chani McBain's fun monster-hunting story.
Anders Frang
Non-fiction
Meet the amazing animals of Scotland in this beautiful book, packed full of fun facts, vibrant illustrations and maps showing where to spot these wonderful creatures. Young conservationists will love exploring Scotland's distinct habitats -- sea and coast, mountains and forests, rivers and lochs, and grasslands -- and learning about the incredible creatures that live there. Discover exciting facts about Scotland's most famous and best-loved animals -- including puffins, seals, red squirrels, golden eagles, otters and Scottish wildcats -- and reveal the amazing secret lives of unexpected creatures such as limpets, lizards, ants, eels, water voles and sharks!

Children’s Books about Wales & Northern Ireland

Anita Ganeri
Non-fiction
Join intrepid explorer Benjamin Blog and his inquisitive dog Barko Polo as they travel to one of the world's most fascinating countries: Wales The book includes chapters on Welsh history, geography, cities, people, and food, as well as visiting some of the most famous places of this unique country, such as Conwy Castle and the Gower peninsula.
Lari Don
 & Emilie Gill
Picturebook
Join Katie as she steps into some of the most famous paintings in the world for an exciting art adventure!Katie can't decide what she wants to be when she grows up. Perhaps a trip to the gallery will be an inspiration, as the characters in five famous paintings come to life! Will she be an explorer, a train driver, a horse rider or an artist . . . ?'A wonderful way to engage children with art. A brilliant combination of education and storytelling' - Parents in Touch (Katie's Picture Show)This art adventure features five famous British paintings:The Cornfield by Constable, Rain, Steam and Speed and The Fighting Temeraire by Turner, Whistlejacket by Stubbs, and The Painter's Daughters Chasing a Butterfly by Gainsborough.
Chris Oxlade & Anita Ganeri
Non-fiction
Find out everything there is to know about the city of Belfast in this fascinating city guide. Learn about Belfast's history, its location, culture, festivals, hidden gems and even where the best places to shop are! A map of Belfast city centre will help you find the locations of the key places mentioned in the book. Impress your friends with your knowledge of this beautiful and historic city.

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