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Topic: World Civilizations

a question of history did the kings of benin keep pet leopards and other questions about the kingdom of benin

Did the kings of Benin keep pet leopards? And other questions about the kingdom of Benin

Non-fiction

Discover the weird and wacky history of the kingdom of Benin!

Did the kings of Benin really keep pet leopards? Did spirits live in the African rainforest? And did bicycles REALLY destroy the Benin kingdom? A Question of History: The Kingdom of Benin answers all these questions and much more.

With an engaging question and answer format, this series draws young readers into the fascinating, sometimes gruesome, world of famous peoples and civilisations through history. Each spread opens with a simple question, opening up an exploration of an aspect of the life of a people or civilisation and busting some popular myths along the way!

the genius of the benin kingdom clever ideas and inventions from past civilisations

The Genius of The Benin Kingdom: Clever Ideas and Inventions from Past Civilisations

Non-fiction

Which genius ideas and inventions began in the Benin Kingdom? What did the people of the Benin Kingdom develop that we use to this day? Find out how a collection of separate villages and communities grew into a strong, united kingdom and developed a network of successful trading relationships. Discover the brilliant developments in town planning, language, art and medicine that have influenced the way we live today.

explore benin

Explore!: Benin

Non-fiction

Benin was an important kingdom in West Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries. Find out about Benin’s magnificent capital city, the objects that Benin traded with Europe and their intricate bronze plaques and statues.

Read about food and farming, armies and weapons, the life of a craftsman and how to make a leopard statue!

Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A useful tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.

daily life in ancient benin

Daily Life in Ancient Benin

Non-fiction

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

explore early islamic civilisation

Explore!: Early Islamic Civilisation

Non-fiction

Early Islamic civilisation spread across the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Asia in the 7th and 8th centuries CE, forming a massive empire. Find out about the birth of Islam, amazing inventions and trade across the empire.

Read about weapons and war, the city of Baghdad, the life of a scribe, science and medicine and find out how to make an Islamic tile design!

Packed with fascinating information, the Explore! series inspires children’s curiosity to find out more about the past. A great tool for readers age 8+ or teachers looking for books to support the curriculum.

1001 inventions and awesome facts about muslim civilisation

1001 Inventions & Awesome Facts About Muslim Civilisation

Non-fiction

We often think that people from a thouand years ago were living in the Dark Ages. But from the 7th century onward in Muslim civilisation there were amazing advances and inventions that still influence our everyday lives.

People living in the Muslim world saw what the Egyptians, Chinese, Indians, Greek and Romans had discovered and spent the next one thousand years adding new developments and ideas. Inventors created marvels like the elephant water clock, explorers drew detailed maps of the world, women made scientific breakthroughs and founded universities, architects built huge domes larger than anywhere else on earth. astronomers mapped the stars and so mucn more! This book takes the winning formula of facts, photos and fun, and it applies it to this companion book to the 1001 inventions exhibit from the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation. Each page is packed with information on this little-known history, but also shows how it still applies to our world today.

the golden horsemen of baghdad

The Golden Horsemen of Baghdad

Chapter book

This fast-paced story is set in the Islamic Golden Age when Baghdad was considered the largest and most dazzling city in the world. Perfect for fans of thrilling adventure. Thirteen-year-old Jabir is hoping to save his family from being made homeless by finding work in Baghdad. Famished after his long journey to the city, Jabir is caught stealing bread and sent to prison. Luckily, one of the guards there notices that he has a gift for carving wooden models and he is released on the orders of the grand caliph Harun al Rashid himself. In return Jabir must carve twelve golden horsemen, a gift from the caliph to the emperor Charlemagne. But someone is determined to stop Jabir from completing the work and he will stop at nothing, not even arson, to achieve his aim. Can Jabir and his friend Yasmina finish the horsemen or will Jabir be sent back to prison?

This exciting and readable adventure story is packed with great characters and insight into Islamic civilisation and the historic culture of the Middle East circa AD 900, a period which is now studied in the National Curriculum.

children of the Benin kingdom

Children of the Benin Kingdom

Chapter book

A fast-paced adventure, this story brings to life one of Africa’s most fascinating civilizations, the ancient Edo Kingdom of Benin. This is an immersive adventure story and perfect for any child who enjoys being transported to another world. It fits well with the increasing interest in African fiction and stories that are inclusive, diverse and explore a greater range of cultures, stories and settings. The historical Benin Kingdom is now an option for UK primary teachers at KS2, (ages 7 – 11) and as exciting, accurate historical fiction this is the perfect reader for teachers looking to diversify their history teaching. The book includes a factual section at the end, to help readers widen their knowledge of the ancient Kingdom of Benin and West African culture and traditions. Teachers notes, linked to the text, are also available to download for free from the publishers, Dinosaur Books Ltd.

Sinbad the Sailor

Graphic Novel

The stories of Sinbad the Sailor are some of the best loved tales from The Arabian Nights. Travel over the seas and follow Sinbad’s adventures retold in Marcia Williams’ vivid comic-strip style. These seven stories are presented in an entertaining and accesible way packed with hilarious creatures and spectacular feats!

The Kingdom of Benin

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.

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Stone Girl Bone Girl

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