children's book

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As far as opening statements go, the image that welcomes readers to The Usborne Introduction to Archaeology is a pretty powerful one. A wild ox from Lascaux is perched majestically across the title pages from left to right, threatening to charge beyond the opening spread and right over into the next.

It sets the tone for things to follow because artwork and graphics are a feature of this introductory book for children aged 7 to 14. Each page carries pictures or reconstructions of key sites and artefacts, with each graphic accompanied by a detailed caption that offers key dates and descriptions. These are basic visual elements, but they are key to sparking the imaginations of budding archaeologists.

The opening 30-odd pages cover the basics of archaeology, starting with the question: ‘What is archaeology?’ (“There are clues to the past all around you, if you know where to look for them. They can be as small as a human hair, or as vast as the pyramids … but they all help build up a picture of how people lived long ago. This is what archaeology is all about.”)

About The Author

Lynette Eyb

Last three pieces by this author:

Did Ryszard Kapuściński Follow Herodotus' Example and Make Things Up? | Top 10 Ancient Sites in Syria | People Power Could Signal the End of Uluru Tourist Climb

Lynette Eyb is the books editor of Heritage-Key.com. She trained in Australia as a journalist before moving to London, where she wrote for and edited various magazines. She has travelled extensively, exploring the ancient wonders of China, Turkey, Greece, Egypt, the UK and Ireland along the way. Lyn lives in Bordeaux with her partner and their young daughter.

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Part of Usborne’s popular cut-out model series, Make This Roman Villa offers children aged four to eight a fun and interactive history lesson on the grand architecture and lifestyle of the ancient Romans.
        
Designed and illustrated by Iain Ashman, the historically accurate model of a Roman nobleman's villa can be made with only a tube of glue, a ruler and a pair of scissors or a craft knife. The completed model measures 605mm x 458mm (24 x 18in) along the base and includes the main house, courtyard, servants’ quarters, a storehouse, workrooms stables. Decorative details include colonnades, statues, urns, grapevines, trees, wells and pool. There are also more than 20 cut-out figures with which to populate the finished villa.

Rome wasn’t built in a day, they say but, fortunately, this villa can be easily built in under an hour with adult assistance (a little or a lot, depending on the age of your young builder/s).

About The Author

Damian Tully-Pointon

Damian Tully-Pointon is a journalist and photographer with a passion for travel, history and adventure. He trained and worked in Australia before moving to the UK, where he writes for various magazines and newspapers. His extensive travels have included Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Thailand. He lives in London with his wife and two children.

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The Usborne Official Roman Soldier’s Handbook is a great introduction to the dynamics of the Roman Army. Military manuals are known to have been used by the Roman Army, and this book provides an educational but entertaining way of putting ancient history into modern hands.

While the book predominantly concentrates on the army and warfare, it also touches on other aspects of Roman life, including religion, housing, clothing, health and leisure pursuits.

The core target audience here is undoubtedly younger boys, an often reluctant reader group, and one that would benefit from the publication of more books written specifically with them in mind. Included here, for example, are all the gory details one might expect of a Roman soldier's handbook, including such joys as the firing of the severed heads of spies over the walls to bombard people under siege.

About The Author

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca studied history and politics at Hull University before becoming a chartered librarian. She currently works as a children's librarian for the Borough of Wandsworth in London. When not at work, she is trying to learn Welsh in order to reconnect with her roots. However, she is much more successful at collecting hippos and eating too much cheese.

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The Eagle of the Ninth has been called a modern classic of children’s fiction. Originally published in 1954, interest has been rekindled in it by a new film of the story being shot. The movie will be directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), and star Channing Tatum (G.I Joe: Rise of the Cobra) and Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot). The big names guarantee maximum publicity for the film and, as a result, renewed interest in the book.

In the foreword of the book, Sutcliff cites inspiration for the plot from two stories linked to Roman Britain: the disappearance of the Ninth Legion after it marched north from York in 117AD and the discovery of ‘a wingless Roman Eagle’ excavated at Silchester.

About The Author

Rebecca Jones

Rebecca studied history and politics at Hull University before becoming a chartered librarian. She currently works as a children's librarian for the Borough of Wandsworth in London. When not at work, she is trying to learn Welsh in order to reconnect with her roots. However, she is much more successful at collecting hippos and eating too much cheese.

Part of Usborne’s popular ‘Flap Book’ series, See Inside Ancient Egypt is an enjoyable and educational book. It offers children aged five and over an engaging trip back in time to the world of the ancient Egyptians.

Succinctly written by Rob Lloyd Jones and lavishly illustrated by David Hancock, the book offers an interactive history lesson by presenting a series of snapshots of daily life in ancient Egypt. Each busy scene spans a double-page spread, with Jones’s many and varied facts and supportive descriptions dotted throughout and hidden under the many lift-up flaps (there are more than 70 in the book), which proved a hit with my young reader.

About The Author

Damian Tully-Pointon

Damian Tully-Pointon is a journalist and photographer with a passion for travel, history and adventure. He trained and worked in Australia before moving to the UK, where he writes for various magazines and newspapers. His extensive travels have included Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain and Thailand. He lives in London with his wife and two children.