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Publisher: Bloomsbury Education

terrible true tales saxons

Terrible True Tales: Saxons

Chapter book

From the author of the blockbuster Horrible Histories series, also a TV show and movie, who has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide.

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary presents a hilarious collection of Saxon tales based on exciting true stories – four books in one! Perfect for history fans (and those who don’t know they’re history fans yet) aged 7+.

The Witch Who Faced the Fire: Follow young Ardith Hutton on her journey as a cunning man’s apprentice, learning magical cures for diseases and pains. But are they really magical? Does Ardith have the ability to cure the villagers when they seek out her assistance? They might just accuse her of witchcraft…

The Lord Who Lost His Head: With royalty, bandits, blacksmiths and gold coins, this tale is packed with humour and trickery. Local village girl Marian needs to play it safe and smart; her family and the village are counting on her.

The King Who Threw Away His Throne: King Vortigern was a fool with more brains in his beard than his skull. What will he do when the Saxon hordes plan to invade Britain? Join Mervyn on his great attempts to aid the king in defeating the Saxons.

The Shepherd Who Ate His Sheep: It’s the dead of winter, and all Upton Medway has to eat is pea and ham soup… without the ham. Steal a sheep and hope nobody notices, of course! But when the owner comes looking for the thief, who will take the blame?

Terry Deary’s Terrible True Tales: Saxons explores the world of the Saxons and features real people from the thrilling time period. Packed with fun illustrations from Tambe, the four stories take place in some of the most recognisable Saxon settings.

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its ok to say no

It’s OK To Say No

&
Non-fiction, Picturebook

From PSHE expert and bestselling author of How Are You Feeling Today? comes an important and reassuring picture book, perfect for starting conversations with young children about consent.

This book is all about asking for, giving and not giving permission, which is usually called consent. Using child-friendly explanations and colourful illustrations by Sarah Jennings, this book helps you to teach children that it’s OK to say ‘no’ when they feel uncomfortable, and that they should respect when others say ‘no’ to them too.

The topics that feel difficult to discuss with your children are probably the ones you most need to talk to them about. From personal space to sharing, and from privacy to asking for help, It’s OK to Say No explains why learning to respect yourself and others is so important. Featuring extra notes for grown-ups on tackling these sensitive topics with little ones, this reassuring picture book is the perfect resource to read with children aged 4+ and start important conversations about respect and consent.

Let’s Talk books help you start meaningful conversations with your child. Written by an expert and covering topics like feelings, relationships, diversity and mental health, these comforting picture books support healthy discussion right from the start.

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the domesday cows

The Domesday Cows

Chapter book
book-of-the-month

Who could resist a book with the title The Domesday Cows?  Coupled with being written by Iszi Lawrence, whose books I have enjoyed in the past, this was an irresistible draw for me.

This is a story about the culture clash between the Anglo-Saxons and the Normans. Billed as a comedy, this is a romp through the early days of the Norman Invasion and how it impacted the Anglo-Saxon people already living in England (and Wales). It is full of historical details, all cleverly disguised as a funny story. The fact that deer, for example, were no longer permitted to be killed as they belonged to the Normans is all wrapped up in an episode where a deer behaves incredibly stupidly, and the villagers can do nothing about it. I also did not realise the Normans brought rabbits into the country.

The amusing illustrations by Davide Ortu start each chapter with a hint of what is to come, and the tiptoeing cows are very funny. There is a lot to unpack in what seems like a simple book.

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my family the enemy

My Family the Enemy

Chapter book

My Family the Enemy is set in London during World War I. Fred Müller’s life is turned upside down when the police take his dad away and imprison him in Alexandra Palace, along with other men of German heritage. Suddenly, Fred finds that he and his family are the enemy just because of where they originate from.

This is a fascinating story which offers a perspective that is rarely seen in children’s books. The book’s themes of bullying, prejudice and patriotic hysteria are still relevant today and the story is certainly one that will develop empathy in its readers. Fred is bullied at school by pupils and teachers because of his German heritage, and his once-popular family bakery loses much of its custom and is deliberately targeted in racist attacks. There are parallels between the lives of German-born UK residents and the experience of Jews in Nazi Germany: deliberate vandalism of shops, loss of livelihoods and the stereotyping and discrimination.

The hysteria among the British public is also powerfully portrayed, as rumours spread and people start scaremongering. I liked the historical sweep of the story; the book moves between time periods and generations within the one family. Although the book deals with sadness and loss, it is – ultimately – hopeful. The family is resilient and pulls together. Friends provide support too. Fred survives and goes on to have a family of his own and their future is a freer one with greater opportunities.

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terrible true tales first world war

Terrible True Tales: First World War

Chapter book

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary presents an exciting collection of tales from the First World War based on thrilling true stories – four books in one! Perfect for history fans (and those who don’t know they’re history fans yet) aged 7+.

The War Game: Flanders, 1914. The German and British soldiers in the trenches make an unofficial Christmas truce, with carols and a football match. But the officers aren’t happy…
The Bomber Balloon: November 1916 – the war on the Home Front. A German Zeppelin crashes during a raid on Essex. Can a constable and a schoolgirl round up the armed air crew?
The Last Flight: France 1917 – the war in the air. An air observer is shot down behind enemy lines and meets the German flying ace, the famous Red Baron.
The Pigeon Spy: Flanders, 1918. The extraordinary true story of a pigeon, a black bird called Cher Ami, who saved nearly 200 lives.

Terry Deary’s Terrible True Tales: First World War explores the First World War through the eyes of children and real people who could have lived at the time. Packed with thoughtful illustrations by James de la Rue, these stories feature real people and take place in some of the most recognisable First World War settings. Featuring notes for the reader to help extend learning and exploration of the historical period.

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terrible true tales second world war

Terrible True Tales: Second World War

Chapter book

Terry Deary, author of the hugely popular Horrible Histories series, continues to make history accessible and engaging with this collection of four short stories about the Second World War.

The focus is on everyday life in World War 2 Britain, rather than frontline conflict. There are stories about spies, evacuees, the Home Guard and the black market. Each of the four stories has plucky children at its heart.

The chapters are short, and the stories are pacy, with engaging illustrations throughout. This makes the book ideal for reluctant or newly confident readers. The book will also appeal to non-fiction enthusiasts as the stories are packed full of historical details – from blackouts and air raids to ration books, the Land Army and propaganda slogans. There’s a real mix of locations too, with stories set across the UK.

The stories are exciting with plenty of tension, and there are some moments of comic relief too. Each of the stories is based on true events, and at the end of each story, there’s a historical note providing more context and details.

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