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Topic: History

The King Who Threw Away His Throne

Chapter book

From the author of the popular Horrible Histories, this book is part of Terry Deary‘s ‘Saxon Tales’ series.

The story is about King Vortigern (who may or may not have existed in real life, but many believe that he did) and his servant Mervyn, as they are faced with the threat of invading Saxons and Picts.

This relatively short text, which is accompanied by fun illustrations, is easily accessible to most pupils in lower KS2, and there are three other Saxon tales in the same series, too.

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Meet the Ancient Romans

Non-fiction, Picturebook

A picture-book style non-fiction text about the Romans. Each page has a short chunk of text accompanied by simple, bold illustrations or infographics.

Humorous and stylish without compromising on factual content, this book is a popular choice with reluctant or younger readers.

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The Princess Who Hid in a Tree

&
Picturebook

It’s rare to find picture books based on the Anglo-Saxons and equally rare to find Anglo-Saxon stories featuring female protagonists. This book covers both.

The Princess Who Hid in a Tree tells the story of Frideswide, a female saint who helped to found Oxford during Anglo-Saxon times. Frideswide is a feisty young princess who loves climbing trees. After being kidnapped by King Algar of Mercia, she uses her skills to escape. Frideswide went on to found Oxford’s first Saxon church, which became Christ Church Cathedral, and she is still the patron saint of both the City and University of Oxford.

Her story includes adventure, suspense and a few surprises, captured in this picture book with Alan Marks’ stunning artwork.

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books-about-victorians

Victorians Topic Booklist

Best Books for the Victorians Topic

Known as an age of invention and industrial development as well as an era of poverty, child labour and crime, the Victorian period really was a time of great contrasts. We’ve put together a list of the best children’s books about the Victorians – watch out for a colourful cast of characters including charlatans, pickpockets and travelling showmen as well as resourceful street children, brave orphans and inspiring innovators…

Readers looking for chapter books set in Victorian times will enjoy Street Child, which immerses young readers in the gritty realities of life on the streets of Victorian London. For something that explores the theme of child labour during the Industrial Revolution, try Rivet Boy or The Mermaid in the Millpond, and for something a bit lighter, follow the life of a Victorian maid in The Secret Diary of Jane Pinny.

We also recommend The Fossil Hunter for the inspirational non-fiction account of Mary Anning, and Queen Victoria for an illustrated guide to the life of one of the most famous monarchs of all time.

As well as the recommended Victorians reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, and schools can purchase the full set of books via Peters.

So, if you are looking for recommended Victorian children’s books, the BooksForTopics curated reading list is here to guide you…

World War II (WW2) Topic Booklist

The Best Children’s Books for the Second World War History Topic 

This list of recommended books about the Second World War is designed to help parents and teachers looking for suitable reading books about the World War 2 topic for children in Key Stage 2. The list of recommended World War II children’s books includes Emma Carroll’s empathetic chapter book Letters from the Lighthouse and Phil Earle’s award-winning When the Sky Falls, as well as classic children’s stories of the War like Goodnight Mister Tom and When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit.

There are some excellent choices of high-quality non-fiction exploring different angles of World War 2, including Skyward: The Story of Female Pilots in WW2 and Bandoola: The Great Elephant Rescue.

We’ve picked out a handful of recommended children’s books that explore different aspects of life during World War 2. Look out for frozen expeditions, evacuee adventures, pioneering pilots and evocative descriptions of experiences of the Blitz in our hand-picked selection of the best children’s books about WW2…

As well as the recommended reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, and schools can purchase the full set of books via Peters.

So, if you are looking for recommended children’s books about World War 2, this specially selected reading list for KS2 is the right place to start…

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.

 

Maya Civilisation Topic Booklist

Best Children’s Books about the Maya History Topic

The Maya civilisation topic offers a wealth of interesting history to explore – from impressive pyramids and cities to complex calendars and a rich cultural heritage still prevalent in Central America today. We’ve picked out some of the best books for children about the Maya, suitable for primary school children looking to explore the topic.

As well as the recommended reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, and schools can purchase the full set of books via Peters.

Earliest Civilisations Topic

The National Curriculum for history states that pupils in Key Stage 2 should learn about the achievements of the earliest civilizations, including an overview of the first civilizations and a depth study of one of the following: Ancient Sumer; The Indus Valley; Ancient Egypt; or The Shang Dynasty of Ancient China.

While many schools are familiar with the topic of Ancient Egypt (see our separate booklist here), the other ancient civilizations 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 Ancient Civilizations, with a focus on the Ancient Sumer, the Indus Valley and the Shang Dynasty. 

Tudors Topic Booklist

The Best Children’s Books for the Tudors History Topic 

This booklist features recommended children’s books about the Tudors.

Plots and playwrights, executions and explorers, monarchs and musicians….there’s no denying that the Tudor topic is one of the most exciting periods in British history to study.

We’ve picked out some of our favourite texts suitable for primary school children to help explore the Tudor topic. For chapter books set in Tudor times, dig into Berlie Doherty’s Treason or The Queen’s Fool, or for something a little more interactive, try the search-and-find book Find Tom in Time: Shakespeare’s London.

As well as the recommended reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, and schools can purchase the full set of books via Peters.

Look out for Tudor stories featuring merry monarchs like Elizabeth I and Henry VIII, for galleons and gallows and also for tales containing no end of perils, including plots to the throne, sneaky spies and deadly executions, in our selection of the best children’s books about the Tudors…

Ancient Greece Topic Booklist

The Best Children’s Books for the Ancient Greeks History Topic

Updated for 2026

Our curated list of the best Ancient Greece books for KS2 supports National Curriculum history learning. The topic of Ancient Greece is a firm favourite in primary classrooms, offering a world where monsters and mortals collide. Whether your class is investigating the legacy of the Parthenon, the origins of democracy, the Olympic Games or the contrasts between Athens and Sparta, these texts provide the ideal foundation for your National Curriculum depth study. We have carefully curated the best children’s books for Year 3, Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6, with a focus on historical enquiry and meaningful cross-curricular links.

ancient greece recommended books for childrenReaders looking for KS2 Ancient Greece chapter books will enjoy the immersive historical mysteries of Mark of the Cyclops, while those seeking a more lighthearted approach will find Who Let the Gods Out? a high-energy class favourite. For a classic introduction to mythology, we highly recommend the Orchard Book of Greek Myths for its timeless storytelling.  If mythology is an interest, you might also like to make use of our KS2 Mythology Booklist.

Our teacher-approved selection emphasises historical sourcework and archaeological evidence, featuring titles produced in collaboration with the British Museum. These books help pupils think like historians while developing an empathetic connection to the past.

As well as the recommended reading list below to browse, we’ve also got a printable poster, and schools can purchase the full set of books via Peters. So, if you are looking for recommended Ancient Greece children’s books, the BooksForTopics curated reading list is here to guide you…

At a Glance: Top Ancient Greece Books for KS2

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