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Topic: Castles & Knights

Best children’s books about castles and knights

Take a time trip into the past to explore the exciting world of castles. From early Norman defences to splendid Tudor castles, this is a fun history topic to explore with primary school children. Whether you are looking into turrets and trebuchets or drawbridges and dungeons, there’s plenty to discover among our list of the best children’s books about castles and knights.

Non-fiction

Grab your magnifying glass and charge into battle with this search-and-find history adventure packed with more than 200 things to spot in each eye-boggling illustration.

Meet history’s most heroic knights as you travel back in time to follow Sir Gallahad into the court of King Arthur, Joan of Arc into battle and Richard the Lionheart on his last crusade.

Use the magnifying glass to explore cutaway castles, epic medieval battlefields and impressive royal tournaments , then learn about chivalry , armour and jousting .

Written by the Blue Peter award-winning David Long, this book will delight and inform the most inquisitive young squires and ladies!

Non-fiction

This children’s history book has everything you need to know about medieval castles, including knights, jousting, sieges, drawbridges, and forts.

Learn about castle design, from the earliest motte and bailey styles to stone fortresses and beautiful castles in Japan and India. See some of the most impressive castles in the world, and stock up on amazing facts. Packed with information, artefacts, and colourful pages, DKfindout! Castles brings the medieval world to life.

The DKfindout! series introduces children to a range of exciting topics in a fun, engaging way. Checked by specialist consultants and an educational expert this is not only a source of information you can trust, but one that is age-appropriate and supportive of schoolwork. Ranging from core topics, to more specialized subjects, the DKfindout! series will inspire and delight kids.

Picturebook

Far, far away in the high, high mountains in a deep, deep valley in a dark, dark cave – there lived a mighty dragon.’

He was an awesome and frightening creature, terrorising whole armies, destroying castles, demolishing forests and kidnapping princesses. But this mighty dragon had a deep, dark secret. . . .

Uncover a charming tale of adventure, a dragon, and an unlikely hero. Told with gentle humour and mesmerising illustrations, this is a picture book to enchant and delight.

This stunning new edition is perfect for new readers, as well as fans of George, the Dragon and the Princess . This much-loved classic tale comes from the exceptional storyteller and illustrator, Chris Wormell.

Non-fiction

Lift the flaps to explore behind the scenes of a bustling medieval castle as Lord Robert and Lady Margaret hold a feast, watch a tournament and fight off fearsome enemies. Amid the hustle and bustle in the colourful illustrations, find flaps beneath flaps and many more surprises to keep enquiring minds entertained. Young readers can meet lords, ladies, knights and squires and find out how they live, work, fight and relax in their magnificent castle home.

Non-fiction

History comes alive in this incredible children’s illustrated book about castles. Slicing through different areas of a medieval fortress, extraordinary views reveal the people busy inside, and preparing for battle as an enemy army approaches.

Packed with facts, you’ll find out what it takes to build a massive 14th-century castle, dress a knight in armour, or prepare a feast fit for a king or queen. From the drawbridge to the dungeon, Cross-sections Castle swarms with the people who keep the castle ticking over – the workers, craftsmen, and servants. And, as you pore over every page, look out for the villainous spy. Is he in the well… the keep… the moat? No? Keep looking, he’s there somewhere!

Back in print after 20 years, you can cheer on jousters, be entertained by a troubadour, and witness the gory details of a traitor’s demise. This unique illustrated book for kids is not just the story of a castle – it brings medieval history to life.

Non-fiction

Why Do We Remember?: The Battle of Hastings looks at the gripping events that led up to the famous battle of Hastings in 1066 and the following Norman conquest of Anglo-Saxon Britain.

This simple, friendly children’s first history series, aimed at readers aged 5 and up, takes a close look at some key events and personalities through history and reveals how and why they are still important to us today. A perfect support to learning about history at Key Stage 1, each book uses a rich variety of historical sources, from diaries to paintings, to bring events to life, while simple historical vocabulary is introduced and explained. Each book also features a simple timeline and explores how we find about the past. All text has been carefully checked by a historian.

Picturebook

Find out exactly what goes on inside a medieval castle in this impeccably stylish picture book from the National Trust.

How many people does it take to build a castle? And what exactly does each person do? Discover masons to merchants and bakers to blacksmiths in this unique take on the classic rhyme ‘This is the House that Jack Built’. Explore what happens inside the castle the king built with striking retro artwork from illustrator Tom Froese and a carefully researched rollicking rhyme from author Rebecca Colby.

Every Nosy Crow paperback picture book comes with a free “Stories Aloud” audio recording. Just scan the QR code and listen along!

Picturebook

When a kind young boy helps a strange-looking bird, a beautiful friendship forms. But what these two friends don’t realise is that one is a young knight . . . and the other a young dragon! What will they do when they discover they are enemies and destined to FIGHT?

The Dragon and the Nibblesome Knight is a bold, funny and heartwarming story from a perfect picture book pairing; the uniquely talented Elli Woollard and award-winning Benji Davies.

Fairy tale fun from the creators of The Giant of Jum .

Picturebook

Ned the knight ALWAYS does exactly what he’s told. When his parents ask him to pick up his toys, dig up the cabbages or go to bed on time, he does it all with a smile. And when the dragon swoops into town every night, he always runs inside just as he’s asked. But one morning, instead of saying,”yes,” he says, “NO!” He will NOT help his dad find his shield, his arrow or his bow, and he will certainly NOT let the butcher go past. That night, he refuses to go inside, and in doing so he confronts the dragon, making a very unlikely friend . . .

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