History books with lots of pics for DD1 (4)

[Rugbylovingmum]

Hi all, I'm after some advice from all the book lovers on this forum. We have English Heritage and Historic Houses memberships so usually spend Sundays exploring one of the local sites or houses (before heading to the tea shop for lovely cakes ). DD1 loves it and she is getting really interested - today we were at the fantastic Rievaulx Abbey and she had tons of questions about what the monks wore, what their bedrooms were like and what they ate. I want to get her some nice books with lots of pictures to look at for xmas - she is only 4 so they don't need to have loads of info.

Any recommendations? I never seem to get time to have a good browse in the shops or at the library but I think the horrible history books are for older kids. Are the Usbourne books any good? They don't have to be about monks - any history books would be good.

The Usborne 'see inside' or 'look inside' books are really good. But the publishers Dorling Kindersley also do great picture books with a mixture of real life photos & illustrations.

She's still a bit young but the Usbourne childrens' History Encyclopaedia is a brilliant book. DS1 read it cover to cover when he was around 6 years old.

I think any of the Usbourne books are great. They are pitched at the right age.

Thanks, I'll give the Usbourne books a go then. If they are a bit old for DD1 then one of my nephews or godchildren will enjoy them but it sounds like they will have some good pictures which is all she wants at this age.

"The Comical Celtic Cat" is a lovely story based on the creation of the Book of Kells and perfect for her age.

Usborne see inside houses long ago would probably be popular with her, my girls (4 and 6) love it. there is also one about ancient buildings or something like that with pyramids and roman palaces, mayan temples etc (can't remember the exact title though)

comical celtic cat sounds good - will look at that

BlueChampagne - I'll have a look at "The Comical Celtic Cat", it sounds really good.

Periwinkle007 - I spotted Usbourne See Inside Houses Long Ago when I was checking out the Usbourne books on amazon and thought DD1 would love it. Just waiting for it to arrive. Thanks!

Usborne See Inside Castles is great (there is also a noisy version if that's what you're into!), See Inside London shows London through the centuries, see inside Romans shows how the Romans lived (get the impression we're fans?!).

oh yes - I forgot about the castles one (I found it in TKMaxx cheaply and it is in the cupboard for Christmas) and the London one. I think we have almost all of them now, DD1 got 7 of them for her birthday, they were virtually the only thing on her list

I would highly recommend this kings and queens book. We started this when DD was about 4, and the short sections about each monarch were perfect for bedtime reading (us to her), and there's lots of pictures too.

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Our Usbourne childrens' History Encyclopaedia arrived yesterday and DD1 sat looking through all the pictures when she got home from nursery. She really enjoyed trying to work out if the people lived somewhere hot or cold depending on their clothes so we finished up sittin with her big map poster. One of her friends recently moved to Malaysia so she is really interested in hot (or cold) countries.

I think she would enjoy the look inside castles/houses long ago books too so I've added them to my wishlist and am watching out for good deals on amazon or book people. The Kings and Queens book looks fantastic too - I may get a copy for my niece now and get one for DD1 if she enjoys the others.

It's amazing what they pick up. I remember my DH rushing ds1 past the painting of Lady Jane Grey before her execution - think its at the National? - because he didn't want to explain to ds1 who was around 6 years old.

Ds1 dragged him straight back, told him he knew all about it from his history book and told DH the whole story!

A street through time is a great; DK, lots of pictures, lots to talk about, how people lived etc
Stone age boy, which is a picture book about a boy who bangs his head and dreams he's gone back in time, is much loved by both my dc.
Another lovely picture book is Shirley Hughes' "the Christmas eve ghost", about growing up in Liverpool in the 30s.
The story of scotland by Richard Brassey was also a hit when DS1 was 4.
Dd2 (now 4) has enjoyed the earlier Little house books.