Earliest Civilisations Topic

Beautifully illustrated and bursting with knowledge, Volant and Nuovo’s Ancient Wonders is the perfect companion for any teacher of history, supporting links and connections between different curriculum topics. From the Great Pyramid of Giza to Stone Henge, information is nestled between beautiful illustrations – double-page spreads that bring the book to life with pops of colour and intricately-drawn diagrams that enable the reader to delve deeper into the ancient design and structure.

In its very first pages, the reader is encouraged to embark upon an awe-inspiring journey across the world, exploring ancient wonders and the stories of those who brought them to life. Each of the Seven Wonders of the World is explored in three sections: inspiration, ancient technologies and ‘another wonder’.

The section dedicated to the Temple of Artemis, for example, begins with a stunning illustration and an introduction to its history. Broken down into easy-to-read paragraphs, the book does not favour illustration over information and instead boasts the story of the wonders from conception to the modern day. Following on from its history, the book dives into each wonder’s original inspiration, drawing on ancient mythologies and how many of them are intertwined. The text goes on to explore another similar but lesser-recognised wonder, acknowledging that the initial list of seven is just a sampling of stunning artworks from past civilisations. Additional ‘wonders’ include The Ellora Caves, Emperor Quin’s Terracotta Army and the Nazca Lines.

Ancient Wonders is an impressive and comprehensive non-fiction picture book that children (and adults alike) will love to explore!

Rise and Fall: Great Empires that Shaped the World is a comprehensive, engaging and informative book that introduces young readers to the history of some of the most powerful and influential empires in human history.

Packed with eye-catching and vivid illustrations each page offers a wealth of information on empires from the Minoan Civilisation to The Kingdom of Ayutthaya. Through exciting storytelling and a well-organized structure, the book makes complex historical events accessible and enjoyable for children ages 8 and up.

As a curriculum lead in school, I also found this very useful for my own subject knowledge as there is information for each empire on topics such as religion, arts, architecture and decline. A brilliant addition to any library area for inquisitive minds who love history!

The Amazing Book of World Mythology offers short and accessible retellings of mythical stories from around the world.

It is pleasing to see the stories grouped not by place of origin but by their themes. This emphasises the commonalities of the global tradition of storytelling and the connections between the stories we have all told and been told. Each of the six themed chapters is divided into four or five stories, which can be read in isolation and are well-suited to reading aloud, whether as a short bedtime story or to a whole class. Each chapter finishes with a double-paged spread introducing more stories, objects or characters relating to the theme, further emphasising the similarities in storytelling across the world.

The book is attractively illustrated, and using a different illustrator for each of the myths is particularly effective. The diversity of the artists and their art styles is an essential part of why the book works so well and how it offers such an effective broadening of horizons. In combination, the quality of the storytelling, the illustrations and the breadth of the stories offered mean this is one of those books that every child should have access to. It’s a perfect addition to any collection of mythology books for children.

The second book in a dragon-filled adventure series by Katie and Kevin Tsang, co-authors of the popular Sam Wu books.

In the midst of an action-packed summer, Billy Chan and his companions find themselves far from relaxation. A dreadful event unfolds and the fate of their friend lies in their hands, urging them to embark on a time-traveling journey back to Ancient China to rescue him. Thus begins an epic adventure that will lead them through the unforgiving depths of the Frozen Wasteland and into the opulent halls of Ancient China’s imperial palaces.

Filled with legend, magic and, of course, dragons, this series would sate any young fantasy lover’s reading appetite. There’s excitement around each corner – from magical objects to out-of-bounds adventuring. I also loved that each of the children was so different, but managed to form a loyal team, exemplifying how you don’t have to be friends with only people who are similar to you. This is a promising adventure series, filled with humour, warmth, action and magic, and this second book could be read in sequence or as a standalone adventure.

A popular novel set in Ancient Asia, suitable for Upper KS2 or more confident readers. The Firework Maker’s Daughter is the captivating story of Lila, who wants to be a firework maker just like her father. Follow her dangerous quest through strange lands as she journeys to the evil Fire-Fiend. Highly recommended.

If you are looking for something to engage KS2 on the theme of Ancient China, this gripping action-packed novel is for you. Haoyou feels compelled to save his mother from being forced into a new marriage after the death of his father. Can Haoyou use his powerful kite to find away of reaching his father’s spirit, who dwells with the spirits of the dead among the clouds? But when the Jade Circus arrives, Haoyou faces the question of whether the circus master can offer him the opportunity of a lifetime or whether it is going to lead him into the greatest danger yet.