Just So Stories

I’ve had a passion for ancient history since I was a nerdy kid. I still have my Ancient Civilisations book my darling mum bought me when I was around 10 years old. I snaffled all my seven-years-older brother’s ancient history textbooks when he was done with them. I aced my project in 6th class on six different ancient civilisations including the most popular as well as some not so usually covered. And the fact that I was completely crushing on my ancient history teacher in high school was just an added bonus. I gravitate towards anything to do with this topic and there is no doubt in my mind that couching information in an engaging way is a supremely effective way to hook a young reader into finding out more. Both of these new titles do exactly this though in very different ways.

What Was it Like to be an Ancient Greek – David Long. Illustrated by Stefano Tambellini.

Harper Collins

ISBN: 9780008700546

ISBN 10: 0008700540

Imprint: HarperCollins GB/ Barrington Stoke

RRP: $16.99

We are not so familiar with them in this country but David Long was a winner of the Blue Peter Book Awards, prestigious awards now sadly defunct (Best Book with Facts). So you know from the get-go that this is a reliable source of information presented in a format that is dylexia-friendly and highly accessible for all readers from around 9 years up.

The list of contents (see link above) provides you with an overview of the topics covered. These range from the rise of the civilisation to it’s fading as the Roman Empire grew and onto today and the enduring legacies of the Greeks. The plentiful illustrations are a real bonus and kiddos will enjoy greatly seeing architecture, art, dress and interiors especially. I loved the double spread of the gods – they are always fascinating in themselves.

Overall, this is a book that is very readable as well as entertaining and there are several more in this series (Roman, Viking, Maya, Egyptian) so I suggest it would be a very worthwhile acquisition for your readers who are always eager for this type of non-fiction. It’s a definite 5 yo-yo 🪀🪀🪀🪀🪀rating (well yes, they did invent the yo-yo!!) from me.

Ludicrous Legends: Myths with a Twist – Jol Temple. Illustrated by David Conley

Harper Collins

• ISBN: 9781460718551
• ISBN 10: 1460718550
• Imprint: HarperCollins
• RRP: $12.99

As it’s got Jol Temple’s name on the cover you already know it’s going to be quite bonkers but really, is there anything better than coating information with some downright silliness? It’s certainly one way to get the kiddos to absorb some facts without even realising they are doing so. And let’s face it, kids love monsters and a bit of gruesomeness like someone’s head being chopped off or a weird hairstyle composed entirely of snakes.

Join Hector, ancient history geek, and his friend Hylo, half girl-half horse (yes, that’s right, an honest-to-goodness centaur) as they revise and study for their upcoming quiz on ancient myths from teacher Mr Socrates.

Each section follows a pattern of What/Who on earth is…? and readers will fall about laughing at some of the ridiculousness – both the kind that the ancients swallowed hook, line and sinker and the way Jol presents it. The next one will be coming up real soon so get onto this one and start talking it up.

It’s perfect for a quick read-aloud after break or a First Chapter Friday gig. It also gets a 5 rating-but this one is 🐄🐄🐄🐄🐄 in honour of the Trojan Cow (read the book!).