WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN USED HOMESCHOOL BOOKS!
HISTORY NON-FICTION - THE MIDDLE AGES & THE RENAISSANCE
Looking Into The Middle Ages: A Pop-Up Book
(Huck Scarry) $5 HB VGC Here is a pop-up book that deserves a place on
the history shelf. Scarry beautifully combines written and visual information.
Each double-page spread comes to life with intricate, well-documented
three-dimensional art. Basic information on such topics as the castle, fortified
villages, cathedrals, battles and festivals are included. Brief captions for the
figures provide additional information. The pop-up illustrations can be viewed
from all angles. Moving parts, such as a drawbridge, a catapult and a
waterwheel, further enhance the text. Any age.
http://www.popupbooks.net/BookL/L18.html
Little Library “Castles” (Christopher Maynard) $3
HB EC Explains why castles were built, discusses what a siege was like, teaches
children how to bake their own edible castle pies, and more. 6-10 YO
http://browse.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781856978910
Puffin Snap Shot “Incredible Castles And Knights”
(Christopher Maynard) $4 PB EC Part of the "Snapshots" series, this book uses
words and pictures to bring more information to the older reader. Photographs
encourage the child to learn more about the world, with each page posing
intriguing questions to promote further investigation. This book takes a step
back in time to the days of jousts, siege machinery and knights in shining
armour wielding formidable swords. 7-10 YO
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=1564587304/renaissancefaireA
Stepping Stones “Looking At A Castle” (Brian
Davison) $3 HB GC (Has a back cover stain) A Lovely book for the younger history
student looking at a castle and its defences, parts and life within. Colourful
pictures and simple text told as a story. 6+
The Executioner: An Easy-To-Assemble Moving Model
(A Tower Of London publication) $6 PB New and unused, great hands-on history
activity. 7+
Five Stories Of Medieval Heroes $4 HB EC Colourful
illustrations bring the life and times of the Middle Ages alive with short
stories of heroes of the times. 9+
Exploring The Past “The Middle Ages” (Catherine
Oakes, illustrated by Stephen Biesty) $7 HB EC Chapters on the arts, religion,
town and country life, and world travel are further broken into specific
subtopics. Most of these are dealt with in single or double-page spreads and
heavily illustrated in color. The drawings are also annotated, adding to the
information. This is not, however, a book for research. It will work best for
readers with an interest in subjects connected to the period (knights, crusades
etc.) who might enjoy a broader understanding of life at the time. Suit 8+,
recommended!.
http://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Past-Middle-Catherine-Oakes/dp/0152004513
The Medieval Realms (Fiona Reynoldson) $3 PB VGC
(Ex lib) A simple overview of the Dark Ages for the younger student. It focuses
on the major upheavals, developments, challenges and achievements of the
medieval period. Clear, appealing layout and illustrations. 9+
http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&id=IAO3SG4e6XsC&dq=the+medieval+realms+fiona+reynoldson&printsec=frontcover&source=w
eb&ots=vYkocn6YR4&sig=sKSaMuWCdkxPWpegYDcgb-mGrgs
Where’s Wally Fun Fact Book “Fighting Knights”
(Martin Handford) $4 PB EC Waldo wanders through crowds of knights, kings,
queens, nobles, and the occasional serf. The book looks at the noble heirerarchy,
chivalry, fighting and jousting, different weapons, castle life, how a page
became a knight, and more. Similar to the classic Waldo books, Fighting Knights
includes a list of additional objects to find throughout the pages of the book.
The book also included a large fold-out poster of "The Castle Siege." 6-12 YO
http://waldo.wikia.com/wiki/Fighting_Knights
Usborne Children’s Encyclopedia Of History: Dark Ages To
1914 (Dr. Anne Millard) $7
HB EC A wonderful resource from the renowned Usborne publishers. Great
illustrations, facts in text boxes with lively format. Kids love these and will
pore over them for ages! Covers the medieval era, the incas etc, the holy Roman
Empire, the Industrial Revolution, Napoleon and much more. Recommended!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Childrens-Encyclopaedia-History-Dark-Picture/dp/0860202232
Life In A Medieval Monastery (Anne Boyd) $3 PB EC A
picture of everyday life in a great monastery of the late Middle Ages reveals
the varied lifestyles of its members. 10+
http://www.amazon.com/Medieval-Monastery-Cambridge-Introduction-History/dp/0521337240
Life In The Middle Ages (John Fines) $3 HB EC Lots of illustrations and diagrams accompany the text suitable for 9+.
Snapping-Turtle Guide “Medieval Life” (John Guy) $4
PB EC Discusses urban and rural life, the poor and the rich, food, recreation,
fashion, art, architecture, religion, war, crime, and social conditions in
England from the eleventh to the fifteenth century. Each Snapping Turtle Guide
is a wonderful visual journey. A detailed overview of each subject - written to
both entertain and inform. Filled with eyewitness accounts, timelines, and fun
facts. Ideal for project work, or just a great read. Recommended! 9+
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medieval-Life-Snapping-Turtle-Guides/dp/1860070027
Pitkin Guides “Life In Medieval England” (Rupert
Willoughby) $4 PB EC A concise, well-illustrated history of life in Medieval
England from 1066 to 1485. The short descriptive history is arranged
thematically and covers all manner of subjects including kings and commoners,
barons and knights, agriculture, religious figures, castles and cottages, feasts
and festivals, music, hunting and falconry, chivalry and tournament, life and
death, costume and armour. Includes lots of colour illustrations. 10+
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Life-Medieval-England-Rupert-Willoughby/dp/0853728402
Local History Detective “Castles & Forts” (Henry
Pluckrose) $3 PB EC Great diagrams and explanations of the part of the castle
and the reasons for it being there. 9+
Usborne Young Puzzle Books “Puzzle Castle”
(Susannah Leigh) $4 PB EC There is a monster lurking somewhere deep in the
dungeons of Puzzle Castle, but only Sophie the knight is brave enough to find
it. Join Sophie as she journeys through Puzzle Castle. 5-10 YO
http://www.amazon.com/Puzzle-Castle-Usborne-Young-Books/dp/0746012845
Usborne Young Puzzle Books “Puzzle Dungeon”
(Susannah Leigh) $4 PB EC Each book in this exciting series contains a lively
story linked with lots of fun picture puzzles. Young children will enjoy looking
at these challenging and entertaining books on their own, or sharing them with
an adult.5-10 YO
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Puzzle-Dungeon-Young-Puzzles-Susannah/dp/0746016794
Cathedrals (Tom Stanier) $4 PB EC A gorgeously
illustrated book for the younger historian. 8+
The Knight Who Was Afraid Of The Dark (Barbara
Shook Hazen, illus. Tony Ross) $4 PB EC Sir Fred is one knight unlucky enough to
have been born in the Dark Ages. This is because even though he is a "bold and
much loved" man, he has a secret: he is "knee-bumping, heart-thumping afraid of
the dark." Sir Fred bravely takes the fearsome spiders out of the castle bathtub
in the daytime. But at night, he sleeps with a bottle of fireflies, several
bright candles, and a pet electric eel close by his bed. Complementing the
humorously gentle text are Ross' comical illustrations which alternate
appropriately between brightly colored days and shadowy nights. 5-9 YO
http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Afraid-Dark-Picture-Puffins/dp/014054545X
Becket: An Illumination Of The Life And Death Of Thomas
Becket (Oliver Postgate) $6 HB EC 11+ Wonderful Bayeux Tapestry-like
paintings on every page. Tale told as a story book, also including a more
detailed section at the back, complete with maps. A treasure! 10+
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HB-Book-oliver-postgate-becket-life-and-death_W0QQitemZ310001098868QQihZ021QQcategoryZ274QQrdZ1QQs
sPageNameZWD1VQQtrksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem
Medieval Castles (Conrad Cairns) $2 PB EC A short
but densely written history of British castles from 650 a.d. to 1580. Various
chapters cover uses under siege, improving defenses (with a fascinating section
on arrowslits), the castle as house and community, and finally the decline of
the castle. 9+
Usborne Puzzle Adventures “The Dark Dark Knight”
(Lesley Sims) $4 PB VGC Haley and Martha accidentally awaken two knights from a
thousand year sleep, embarking them on a quest to rescue King Stan and the
kingdom of Hamalot from the clutches of the Dark Dark Knight. Action packed
stories of mystery and adventure interwoven with puzzles to solve -- Great fun
for kids to read and decipher. 7+
http://www.alibris.com/search/books/isbn/0746020910
The Story Of Tewkesbury Abbey (Rena Gardiner) $3 PB
VGC Fantastic double page spreads showing the interior of an abbey, its
inhabitants and their daily life. Discusses the role of monks in the Middle Ages
and how abbeys were built. 9+
Torture In The Tower (David Birt) $3 PB EC many
original illustrations from the Tower Of London showing instruments of torture
and scenes from medieval England. Includes comprehension questions and extension
activities at the rear of the book. 9+
Funfax The History Of Britain “Middle Ages”
(Theodore Rowland-Entwistle) $2 PB This great little book is packed with bright
illustrations and bite-size bits of text about life in a medieval village.
Discover how a knight of the realm earnt his keep. Who went to school and who
didn’t? 9+
The Black Death And The Peasant’s Revolt (Leonard
Cowie) $1 HB GC (Ex lib with tape residue and writing on 1st page) Many original
illustrations i.e. woodcuts and engravings intersperse the reconstruction of the
bubonic plague of 1348 in England. Looks at the far-reaching consequences,
especially the Peasant’s Revolt of 1381. 12+
Collins Eyewitness Castle & Knight Sticker Book $1
PB EC Most of the stickers used, but still a great reference to life as a knight
and in a castle. Lovely format of many individual pictures with detailed
captions under the topic of that page. 8-12 YO
Leonardo da Vinci: Dreams, Schemes And
Flying Machines $4 HB EC (Ex lib) Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) is one of
the most popular artists ever. Who, for example, has never heard of the "Mona
Lisa"? But did you know he was also an inventor and engineer who made drawings
of flying machines and helicopters - and this was centuries ago? Rich in ideas,
delighted to experiment, and a keen observer, he was truly an all-around genius.
In this book you can explore all these aspects and of course meet the real Mona
Lisa as well! 9+
http://www.amazon.com/Leonardo-Da-Vinci-Machines-Adventures/dp/3791321668
Robin Hood Colouring And Storybook $2 PB (First page coloured, the remainder perfect) Large letter text for the emerging reader with line drawings depicting that part of the story on each double page. 5-9 YO