Are your children learning about the Romans at school?

[roisin]

Caroline Lawrence's Roman Mysteries books are great for fluent readers. They are adventure/mystery stories a la Enid Blyton but well-written and pc.

I noticed today in Waterstones they have produced a special edition of the third book for just £1, which is a bargain.

The BBC have been making the books into a TV series, which is due to hit our screens next month. definitely worth watching

DD (9) has read & loved them

Wait til I tell her about the TV series...are there more than 3 books?

They're a bit girly though. Slightly too many Roman beauty sessions down the baths for my liking, though DS2 doesn't seem to mind too much . I prefer Rosemary Sutcliffe.

What has Rosemary Sutcliffe written

DD also loves the Lady Grace books (Elizabethean England)

Eagle of the Ninth etc, Katymac.

My dss love them, and haven't found them girly at all.

I think the 13th book has just been published, and there are plans for 5 more I think.

The TV programmes are adaptations, and start - I believe - with the second book. There are 5 one-hour programmes, but I'm not sure whether they are one book per programme, or more.

Hmm off the the library then

Will look out for these when my dd is a bit older (she's nearly 7 now). They sound a bit hard for her atm, but she's obsessed with history.

What's her reading like Ellbell? The content is fine for youngsters.

I read the first one to ds1 when he was 5, and he started reading them alone when he was 6 (fluent reader). He's nearly 10 now, and is still a fan, but I think he will outgrow them in the next couple of years.

Her reading is coming on in leaps and bounds roisin. She only started reading to herself after Christmas, but has progressed from those hideous Rainbow Fairy books (which she only started reading to herself because I vetoed them!) to Dick King-Smith. I might look out for the Roman ones in the library. She can always have a go and if they are too hard we can come back to them in a year or so.

DD1 is a fan - she is nine. I will say however that although I am happy with the content some parents might not be -particularly with the later ones - there is some quite mature stuff in there - sex, death etc. Lawrenced doesn't pull her punches when describing Roman life. Personally, I am happy for DD to read this stuff, but I read it too and discuss it with her, there is quite a lot to talk about.

Oh thanks Rosa, I didn't know that

I only read the first two or three with dss and since them they've both read them independently.

You should read some more of them Roisin - I am finding them quite compulsive now and I'm quite keen to find out how she will finish the series off.

Update: TV Series News: According to the Radio Times, the first 30 minute episode of The Roman Mysteries TV series will go out at 4.30pm on BBC1 on Tuesday 8 May, with another 30min episode on CBBC at 5pm the same day. To view a video promo from the series, go here then click Production History, then click Roman Mysteries, then click Promo.

Caroline Lawrence is going to be on TV Blue Peter on Thursday 3 May, for a segment promoting the transmission of the first episode of the Roman Mysteries. I am also going to be on the radio Go4It on Sunday 6 May at 7.30pm.

Thanks for that info Roisin - DD will be very happy that the series is starting though she will doubtless moan at all the changes. Apparently the children are older than in the books and Lupus is just unable to speak, he doesn't have his tongue cut out.

Excellent Roisin, although sadly we won't be home in time to see it , hope they do repeats. Was the £1 edition the one for the World Book Day ?

Lizs - ds2 has his piano lesson at 4.30 on Tuesdays, so I will be scouring the TV listings for details of a repeat!

For WBD there was a special book produced - I can't remember which one.

But in April Waterstones actually had a full copy of the third book for £1, which is fantastic value.

The World Book day one was called the Code of Romulus. Waterstone's have recently had the first full-length one in the series for 99p as well as the one that Roisin has mentioned - don't know if it is still available or not.

Aagh. Just realised that DD1's modern dance class is Tuesday at 4.30. Better set the video!