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Find out moreThe books in this section cover The Normans and the Middle Ages; a long period which began at the Norman Conquest in 1066, included the Black Death, the Hundred Year's War and ended with the War of the Roses in 1485.
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Lincoln ‘Big Nate’ Peirce’s new book is a brilliantly funny story of knights, troubadours, wizards and derring-do, all played out via a snappy mix of text and illustrations. Max is a troubadour in training with Uncle Budrick. Max however really doesn’t want to be a troubadour, but a knight. A series of mishaps lead the two to Byjovia, where Uncle Budrick is imprisoned by wicked King Gastley. With the support of a gang of young friends, aka the Midknights, is this Max’s chance to be a hero? The adventures come thick, fast and very funny and there are surprises in every chapter. Readers who like Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Captain Underpants or the 13-Storey Treehouse series will lap this up, but it’s hard to see anyone not enjoying these hilarious adventures.
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month September 2019 | | Sally Nicholls has a rare ability to tell a story from the past by making it both of its time and also accessible for today’s readers. Her characters are always credible people facing up to the great challenges of the day while her details of the period make her settings authentic too. Here, she takes a moment in history when the world was completely changed because of the number of people who died: 1349, the year of the Black Death. Thirteen year old Isobel tells her story, shying away from no details as she describes what she sees as the Plague strikes her family and the whole tight knit community of the Yorkshire village where she lives. Sally Nicholls pulls no punches in her telling of this dramatic story.
A most welcome reissue of a superb piece of accessible historical writing told from a most unusual viewpoint. Ultimately uplifting, this is an unflinching look at issues of social justice at the time of the Peasants Revolt. Marcus Sedgwick, who won the Branford Boase Award in 2001, says: “Fire, Bed and Bone is one of those very short books that is nevertheless powerful and moving; one of those books which oozes confidence from the first line to the last. With it, Henrietta won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and twenty-two years later I think it would still win. It's far from being the first novel narrated by an animal, in this case a hunting hound witnessing the events of the Peasant's Revolt of 1381, but remains a masterclass in how to pull off that feat successfully. Its prose is robust and rhythmic; flawless in its execution, showing just what complex themes and stories one can address in a 'book for children’.”
Interest Age 5-8 | Norman the Norman from Normandy is rapidly becoming my favourite Philip Ardagh character (and there’s a great line up to choose from). Small and accident prone but with a remarkable knack for being in the right place at exactly the right time, Norman is always at the centre of the action and his adventures are very funny indeed. In this story he’s invited to accompany William of Normandy on his ‘conquest thingy’, as the Duke’s wife calls it. Tempted to the Duke’s castle by the thought of its tea-room, Norman’s not actually that keen on the invasion idea and ends up going home to his mum instead. The words and the full-colour pictures will both have readers laughing, and there are some great long-running jokes about the Bayeux Tapestry. Perfect reading for anyone who appreciates the silliness of existence.
Interest Age 5-8 | When Norman the Norman from Normandy’s dad, Great Big Norman, is killed in a fight (with ten Bretons from Brittany), Norman swears to visit every one of this dad’s three graves (long story) to pay his respects. He sets off with this dad’s HUGE sword on his not-very-wild boar Truffle and, without meaning to, indeed often without even noticing, avenges his father’s death. If that sounds quite bloodthirsty, it sort of is, but more than that, in the hands of this gifted comedy partnership, it’s just very, very funny. Part of Barrington Stoke’s excellent Little Gems series, this packs more laughs and entertainment into its short extent than books three times the length. High quality cream paper and a special easy to read font ensure a smooth read for all.
A fantastic collection of history poems that conjure up the sights, sounds and smells of the past - both the great events and battles, and ordinary day-to-day activities. Ties in with the history curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Shaggy Beard wishes to take me to wife! What a monstrous joke. That dog assassin whose breath smells like the mouth of Hell, who makes wind like others make music, who is so ugly and old! Corpus bones, I must make a plan. Luckily I am experienced at outwitting suitors . . . Catherine's in trouble. her father is trying to marry her off to disgusting old Shaggy Beard, and her mother's determined to turn her into the perfect medieval lady. Will either of them succeed? Not if Catherine has anything to do with it! Catherine, Called Birdy is Karen Cushman's funny and poignant novel about a 14-year-old girl's fight for freedom.
From the Battle of Hastings to the Wars of the Roses, this book tells the unique story of Medieval Britain. Full of intriguing facts, illustrations, photographs, detailed reconstructions, paintings, maps and family trees. Includes links to websites to find out more information via the Usborne Quicklinks Website as well as lists of places to visit throughout Britain.
Follow Henry as he tells you all about life in a castle. Learn how to make a bow and arrow, why did knights have coats of arms?, what life was like in the Great Hall as well as life down in the servants’ quarters and in the kitchens. Find out about suits of armour and jousting and what goes on at a banquet. Both the words and pictures in graphic cartoon style, take readers on a great journey into the past. To view all the titles in this brilliant series collaboration between Philip Ardagh and Mike Gordon click here or here to see more of Philip Ardagh's books, including the Grubtown Tales.
Printed on stiff card, this book contains templates to cut out and construct a superb model of a 14th century castle crammed with authentic detail. The model includes miniature characters for re-creating castle life, including market stalls and jousting knights as well as a portcullis that lifts and falls. The base of the model measures 59 x 46cm.
