Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

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Topic: History

Non-fiction

Travel back in time to Chichen Itza and find out all about the Maya.

Like modern travel guides, the books in this series highlight must-see features and explain local culture. Each highlighted destination contains an explanation of what took part in these areas, as well as a look at important artefacts found there providing a bigger picture of life in the past. Typical travel guide notes include, ‘best time to visit’, ‘what to eat’ and ‘where to stay’.

Non-fiction

Find out all about the ancient kingdom of Benin, the tribes that lived there, how they lived and were ruled, and how the nation changed and developed over time.

Short story collection

Kingdom of Benin Short Stories use delightful characters to explore aspects of life in the kingdom of Benin in its hay days. Ehi Edo Warrior Chief turns the spotlight on a chief when he leads others through a war experience. This is war like no other.

Uki at Ukpe Festival deals with a different aspect of Kingdom of Benin life. The main character, adorable Uki and her dance group is an instant hit with the audience when they present their dance at the palace to mark the king’s New Year Ukpe festival.

These stories present Kingdom of Benin in a jovial fun way guaranteed to entertain all readers. This book is suitable for Key Stage 2: ages 7- 11.

Chapter book

Featuring wonderful new illustrations from Peter Bailey this beautiful fairytale is perfect for readers young and old.

Lila doesn’t just want to be a Firework-Maker’s daughter, she wants to be a Firework Maker herself. But although she’s learned a lot she still must get through the most difficult and dangerous part of her apprenticeship – and her father won’t tell her what it is.

In search of this final Firework-Making secret, Lila heads off alone on a journey. It is a journey filled with dangers beyond anything she could have imagined, a journey on which she will learn so much more than the one secret she set out to find . . .

Chapter book

Kingdom of Benin Short Stories use delightful characters to explore aspects of life in the kingdom of Benin in its hay days. In Diary of an Edo Princess, the vulnerable Princess Iyomon finds growing up fun and a challenge; her experiences are those that most children can identify with today. This book is suitable for Key Stage 2: ages 7- 11. Download the reading comprehension questions and activities booklet from the website:http://www.kingdomofbenin.com/downloads.html

Non-fiction

This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in Ancient Sumer. 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.

Short story collection

In this book of tales from Africa there are stories about an evil-hearted shark, an extremely cunning hare, a very greedy spider, and the strongest man in the world. There are also answers to such questions as why the crab has no head, why the sun and moon live in the sky, and why flies buzz. Drawn from all parts of Africa, these stories illustrate the fierce sense of justice inherent in African peoples, their powers of patience and endurance, and their supreme ability as story-tellers.

Short story collection

The Spirit of the Silk Road is your guide as you journey through this book from Chang-an to Samarkand, following one of the arterial caravan routes of the silk traders. As you travel across treacherous deserts and through lonely mountain passes, you will learn about the importance of silk as a commodity, see some of the distinctive customs of the peoples of Central Asia, and join in many storytelling sessions at starlit oases and campfires.

Non-fiction

How did Islam start? What weapons did Islamic warriors use? Where was the ‘Round City’? Who invented the elephant clock?

This book helps children at Key Stage 2 discover the answers to these and other fascinating questions. It also recommends sites on the Internet and sources in local libraries where they can find out more about early Islamic civilization. The detective shows readers how to create their own project reimagining a stroll through Baghdad, interview their favourite scientist or inventor from the Islamic world and spot the key features of mosques.

Packed with fascinating information, The History Detective Investigates series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past.

Picturebook

Gilgamesh, half-god and half-man, in his loneliness and isolation becomes a cruel tyrant over the citizens of Uruk. To impress them forever he orders a great wall to be built, driving his people to exhaustion and despair so that they cry to the Sun God for help. In answer, another kind of man, Enkidu, is sent to earth to live among the animals and learn kindness from them. He falls in love with Shamhat, a singer from the temple, and he follows her back to Uruk. There, Enkidu, the uncivilized beast from the forest, shows the evil Gilgamesh through friendship what it means to be human.

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