Recommended children's booklists sorted by age or topic

Topic: History

This book explores what life was really like for everyday people in the Maya Civilization. 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.

Travel back in time to Ancient Greece to discover the origins of the Olympic Games.

Bright, bold and dynamic artwork bring to life the origins of the Olympic Games. Find out about the legend behind the games, the original events and the excitement that filled Olympia during the Olympic Festival. See how the competitors used to train and learn about each of the original events that took place, including chariot racing, wrestling, the discuss, javelin and boxing. Get the Olympic buzz from all the excitement of the hippodrome, Olympic ceremonies and celebrations, and learn about the importance of the Heraia – the competition for women organised by women.

This book provides a brilliant and striking introduction to the Ancient Olympics for children aged 7+.

The Greek myths are some of the oldest and most famous stories ever told.

This striking comic book collection is the perfect introduction to the world of the gods – containing six tales full of love, loss, greed, envy and bravery.

Journey down to the Underworld with Orpheus and join Theseus in his quest to defeat the dreaded Minotaur. Bursting with detail and humour, James Davies’ retelling of the Greek myths will delight readers of all ages.

Young Acheron is a liar. Everybody knows it. Troy is under siege and Acheron tells tales of Trojan bravery to entertain Prince Paris and the beautiful Helen at the palace. But when a stranger comes to the city to announce that the Greeks have departed, leaving a special gift of a wooden horse, Acheron is suspicious. He races to tell Prince Paris about the Greek plot, but will anyone at the palace believe him?

Terry Deary’s Greek Tales explore the world of Ancient Greece through the eyes of children who could have lived at the time.

Few authors can make children squeal with delight quite so readily as Pamela Butchart. As a teacher, I appreciate the accessibility of the books too and always get a positive response when I recommend them to even the most reluctant of readers.

This story is about a girl who loves Ancient Greek myths and enjoys dramatically recounting them to her friends. 

Thomas Flintham’s illustrations are easily recognisable and perfectly capture the chaotic, wonderful humour of the series. A must-read Ancient Greek story for younger KS2 pupils!

Discover the magical myths and legendary heroes of Ancient Greece with award-winning author-illustrator Marcia Williams .

Travel back in time with goat-footed Pan to explore the myths and legends of Ancient Greece. Meet the mighty gods and goddesses of Mount Olympus and some of the worlds best-loved heroes and heroines. In this book you’ll find the stories of Perseus, slayer of Medusa the gorgon; tragic lovers Orpheus and Eurydice; daring Heracles who fearlessly completed twelve Labours and many more. The lively text and humorous cartoon style make these stories accessible and fun for younger readers.

Beautifully retold by the award-winning author Beverley Naidoo, this earliest-known version of Cinderella is brought to life for the modern-day reader. Rhodopis is a Greek girl who is sold into slavery by bandits and taken to Egypt. Along the way she becomes friends with the storyteller Aesop and a host of playful animals. Her master gives her a pair of beautiful rose-red slippers, making three other servants jealous. But when Horus, the falcon, sweeps in to steal her slipper, Rhodopis has little idea that this act will lead her to the King of Egypt.

On 4 November 1922, a young Egyptian boy working on Howard Carter’s archaeological dig in the Valley of the Kings stumbled across a strange piece of rock. On closer inspection it turned out to be a stone step that would lead Carter to a long-lost tomb – and to treasures beyond his wildest dreams.

The tomb belonged to boy pharaoh Tutankhamun and was packed full of priceless artefacts. It had been largely untouched for over 3,000 years and remains one of the most important archaeological discoveries of all time. But did the opening of the tomb trigger a deadly curse?

David Long’s fact-filled account shows how Carter’s amazing discoveries told us so much about life in Ancient Egypt.

Renni and Mahu are brothers, but they are complete opposites. When Mahu hatches a plot to rob the tomb of a long-dead general in the Valley of the Kings, Renni is swept into the crime to help his family. But taking the general’s heart scarab sets a much greater chain of events into motion, which are governed by dark and mysterious powers. Will the brothers and their friend Balaal manage to return it before Anubis, the god of death, comes to collect their souls? Or will they, and the general, be cast into the Great Darkness forever?

This book describes how the Vikings invaded and conquered much of Britain, and voyaged far and wide. Viking longships, raids and fighting style are all explored, alongside their beliefs and ways of life, to build up a true picture of these most famous invaders. The book concludes with a look at the Vikings’ legacy in Britain today.

Illustrated with a mix of illustrations and found objects, each book in the series describes a famous civilisation, its customs and organisations, how it began and expanded, and its eventual decline.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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