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World Civilisations Topic

Children’s books about ‘World Civilisations – Including Benin Kingdom and Early Islamic Civilisation

The National Curriculum states that pupils should learn about a non-European society that provides contrasts with British history, including one study chosen from: early Islamic civilisation, Maya civilisation and the Kingdom of Benin.

While many schools are familiar with the topic of the Maya (see our separate Maya topic booklist here), the other societies listed tend to be less well-known to teachers. We’ve put together a list of recommended children’s books to support the topics of Benin Kingdom and Early Islamic Civilisation, as well as some additional books that cover the wider topic of World Civilisations and to aid comparative study.

 

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Recommended books about Ancient World Civilisations

Iris Volant
 & Avalon Nuovo
Non-fiction

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!

Aleksandra Artymowska
Non-fiction
Dive into this treasure trove of beautifully illustrated artefacts and learn more about the amazing ancient civilisations that created them as you complete puzzles and search for clues.Can you find all the Egyptian gods hidden in the scene? Or can you match these Roman busts to the description of famous emperors? Explore precious jewels, mosaics, statues and ceramics from across history and throughout the world and find out more about the incredible ancient civilisations who made them. This busy activity book on ancient art is jam-packed with stimulating search-and-finds and perplexing puzzles that can be enjoyed time and time again.
Peter Goes
Non-fiction
From the Big Bang to the present day, illustrated scenes tell the history of our planet in one continuous story.A perfect introduction to history for young and old, this illustrated journey through our world's culture and events travels from the Big Bang to the iPod and into the future. This is a trip through time, past dinosaurs, Vikings, Aztecs and spaceships. It looks at wars and disasters; introduces artists, explorers and leaders; shows us living in castles, yurts and skyscrapers. And it does not neglect the imagination-here too are dragons, mythical figures and TV characters, alongside world-changing inventions borne from the imaginations of scientists and explorers. Each scene puts global events in perspective, in space and time. For adults and older children, these detailed images reward a close study to test your own knowledge of political, cultural and historical events. For young children, each spread provides a slew of talking points, with the world's stories concisely represented.
Jo Nelson
 & Richard Wilkinson
Non-fiction
Explore the wonders of the past in this stunning collection of over 160 historical artefacts, from Ancient Rome to the dynasties of China. Welcome to the museum.This rich and informative cabinet of curiosities beautifully displays objects of the ancient past. Wander from room to room to explore the magnificence of what civilisations have left behind over thousands of years of human history.With text written by expert Jo Nelson and stunning illustrations by Richard Wilkinson, this updated edition also features a foreword by Sir Tony Robinson.
Tracey Turner & Andrew Donkin
 & Libby Vanderploeg
Non-fiction
A stunningly illustrated book of extraordinary city maps, telling the story of human civilisation throughout history.A gorgeous, large-format gift hardback with a stunning neon cover, A History of the World in 25 Cities features 25 beautifully illustrated city maps from all over the world, from ancient history to the present day. Readers can visit cities from every inhabited continent on Earth, from the walled city of Jericho built over 10,000 years ago, to the modern-day metropolis of Tokyo, the most-densely populated city in the world today.Featuring vibrant, beautifully detailed artwork from Libby VanderPloeg, each carefully researched map takes readers on a city tour at a unique moment in time - from exploring Athens in ancient Greece during the birth of democracy, to walking the beautiful lamplit streets of medieval Benin, deep in the West African rainforest. Readers can even visit China's long-lost capital city of Xianyang - a city for which no original map exists, which was brought to life with support from the British Museum's fantastic team of experts.

Recommended books about the Kingdom of Benin

Dinah Orji
Chapter book

Set in the ancient kingdom of Benin, this is both a fascinating insight into an ancient way of life as well as a well-told adventure story.

Ada is twelve and has lived near the rainforest, with her Papa Eze, for as long as she can remember. She knows Papa is not her real family but he’s always looked after her. One day, however, Papa Eze becomes unwell and tells Ada the full story behind her birth and how he came to look after her. Unfortunately, someone else has also discovered the story of Ada’s birth and who Ada is and wishes her harm. Papa Eze realizes that Ada needs to escape the village, so sends her off, with her friend Mbe, on a perilous journey to find both safety and her true identity. Along the way, they meet both new friends and old enemies and go on an adventure of a lifetime.

This would make a perfect class read for KS2 and would fit in beautifully with the National Curriculum topic of Ancient Benin, for which there are not many children’s fiction choices at all available. Complete with a non-fiction section at the end – which we found fascinating – the book provides more information about many things covered in the story, from the history of the tribes featured to more information on their belief systems. All of these provide useful background to the story and could be investigated further in class for those studying the topic.

Whether it’s a curriculum-linked fiction choice or simply a read for pleasure, this is a gripping adventure story that offers something fresh and original to the middle-grade historical fiction market.

Paul Mason
Non-fiction
This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in Ancient Benin. Using primary sources and information from archeological discoveries, it uncovers some fascinating insights and explodes some myths. Supported by timelines, maps and references to important events and people, children will really feel they are on a time-travelling journey when reading this book.
Izzi Howell
Non-fiction
Benin was an important kingdom in West Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. Find out about Benin's magnificent capital city, the objects that Benin traded with Europe and their intricate bronze plaques and statues.Read about food and farming, armies and weapons, the life of a craftsman and how to make a leopard statue!Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children's curiosity to find out more about the past. A useful tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.
Sonya Newland
Non-fiction
Which genius ideas and inventions began in the Benin Kingdom? What did the people of the Benin Kingdom develop that we use to this day? Find out how a collection of separate villages and communities grew into a strong, united kingdom and developed a network of successful trading relationships. Discover the brilliant developments in town planning, language, art and medicine that have influenced the way we live today.

Tim Cooke
Non-fiction
Discover the weird and wacky history of the kingdom of Benin!Did the kings of Benin really keep pet leopards? Did spirits live in the African rainforest? And did bicycles REALLY destroy the Benin kingdom? A Question of History: The Kingdom of Benin answers all these questions and much more.With an engaging question and answer format, this series draws young readers into the fascinating, sometimes gruesome, world of famous peoples and civilisations through history. Each spread opens with a simple question, opening up an exploration of an aspect of the life of a people or civilisation and busting some popular myths along the way!

Recommended books about Early Islamic Civilisation

Don Nardo
Non-fiction
Daily Life in the Islamic Golden Age is an accessible information text offers an insight into what everyday life might have looked like in the Golden Age of Islam, including Baghdad around AD900. There is a focus on historical evidence and primary sources and the text is supported by high quality illustrations including maps and timelines.
Saviour Pirotta
 & Freya Hartas
Chapter book
This fast-paced story is set in the Islamic Golden Age when Baghdad was considered the largest and most dazzling city in the world. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventure. Thirteen-year-old Jabir is hoping to save his family from being made homeless by finding work in Baghdad. Famished after his long journey to the city, Jabir is caught stealing bread and sent to prison. Luckily, one of the guards there notices that he has a gift for carving wooden models and he is released on the orders of the grand caliph Harun al Rashid himself. In return Jabir must carve twelve golden horsemen, a gift from the caliph to the emperor Charlemagne. But someone is determined to stop Jabir from completing the work and he will stop at nothing, not even arson, to achieve his aim. Can Jabir and his friend Yasmina finish the horsemen or will Jabir be sent back to prison?This exciting and readable adventure story is packed with great characters and insight into Islamic civilisation and the historic culture of the Middle East circa AD 900, a period which is now studied in the National Curriculum.
Izzi Howell
Non-fiction
Early Islamic civilisation spread across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia in the 7th and 8th centuries CE, forming a massive empire. Find out about the birth of Islam, amazing inventions and trade across the empire.Read about weapons and war, the city of Baghdad, the life of a scribe, science and medicine and find out how to make an Islamic tile design!Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children's curiosity to find out more about the past. A great tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.

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