We have played a lot of word games over the last few years. So here they are in no particular order.
Boggle 16 dice which you shake and then look for words where the letters touch one another. The points are based on length of word. I found a useful handicap when my daughter was younger was that I was not allowed 3 letter words. This plus an initial bonus nicely evened up the game. We still regularly play this one.
Word Pool. AN ELC game. Each player takes a card with a picture on one side and the word on the other. The board is made up of lily pads with letters on. You throw a dice and then move that many spaces trying to collect the letters of your word. Surprisingly frustrating to play on occasions. We enjoyed it whilst in the learning to read stage but it has had no longevity.
Lexicon. A pack of letter cards with various suggestions for games. Initially I picked out a word ending, eg AT, then sorted the remainder of the cards into a single alphabetical set and then we searched for words with that ending. This was enjoyable in the learning to read stage. We have since progressed to playing the basic word game. Very portable and still played. Solitaire games also given.
Kan-u-go. Old card game rather like a poor man's Scrabble. Takes up a lot of space and the rules are rather unclear.
Scrabble and Junior Scrabble. Junior Scrabble starts with a preprinted board where the players match letters. The other side of the board varies from set to set but ours is a rainbow board which usefully penalises longer words thereby handicapping the adult. In starting to play Scrabble again we began with a bonus to the youngest players until they could beat us with it.
Upwords. Played like scrabble in that the words themselves crisscross but unlike Scrabble you need to modify words by building upwards to get the higher scores. A game where you look at words very differently. Can be easier for children because it is often shorter words that are better because they can be adapted more easily.
Bananagrams. This has 144 letter tiles that are played into a crossword grid. Each player starts with 21 tiles and then makes their grid until one player has completed it at which point all players must take another letter. A quick game. Again we handicapped ourselves by not letting adults have 2 letter words. The tiles themselves are very tactile and fun for children to form into words.
Letter Dice. A simple game with 13 letter dice which the player must form into words. Players take it in turns. Good for travelling
SHAKE spell. 7 dice this time but with a chance dice that dictates word length, becomes an extra letter or affects the score. Another quick game useful for travelling.
Got a minute. 7 dice in a cube with a timer. How many words can you make in a minute? Akin to Boggle.
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Maths board games
I have accumulated a number of board games where maths is the primary objective. Some are number based and some are logic puzzles.
Number games
Sum Swamp. A simple board with three dice. Two have numbers on them and one has plus or minus. The three dice are thrown, the player solves the sum and then moves forward that many places.
Triolet. A French board game akin to scrabble. Each player has three tiles and uses these to make a sum of no more than 15. No more than three tiles can be used in a sum so placement on the game board can be crucial. Very good for number bonds.
Smaths. The maths alternative to scrabble can be a lot harder. We started off with only plus and minus sums, then added in multiplying and dividing at a later stage. Usually with this game we give up before using all the pieces. However it is enjoyable just hard work on occasions.
Number Quest. A large board is covered with the numbers 1 - 100 in a diamond formation. Each player throws four dice and then uses those numbers to make a sum that adds up to a free number between 1 - 100. For example if the player threw 4, 5, 6. 6 the sum could be 4+5+6+6 or it could be 4X5 + 6X6. We tend to use a timer and then see how many points we can earn in half an hour. You can aim to cover a line or have a continuous link from 1 - 100. Lends itself to different solutions.
Shut the box. The box has the numbers 1- 9 and by throwing two dice the player tries to shut down all 9 numbers. Simple but fun.
Logic puzzles
Tangram. Wonderful to play with and make different shapes. I found a ravensburger set with an entire booklet of ideas.
IQ block. Nine shapes that fit into a sqaure 40 different ways although finding one can be hard enough.
Other games
Blokus. Each player has 21 pieces to place on the board trying to maximise their coverage of the board whilst blocking their opponents. Reminds me of tetris.
Number games
Sum Swamp. A simple board with three dice. Two have numbers on them and one has plus or minus. The three dice are thrown, the player solves the sum and then moves forward that many places.
Triolet. A French board game akin to scrabble. Each player has three tiles and uses these to make a sum of no more than 15. No more than three tiles can be used in a sum so placement on the game board can be crucial. Very good for number bonds.
Smaths. The maths alternative to scrabble can be a lot harder. We started off with only plus and minus sums, then added in multiplying and dividing at a later stage. Usually with this game we give up before using all the pieces. However it is enjoyable just hard work on occasions.
Number Quest. A large board is covered with the numbers 1 - 100 in a diamond formation. Each player throws four dice and then uses those numbers to make a sum that adds up to a free number between 1 - 100. For example if the player threw 4, 5, 6. 6 the sum could be 4+5+6+6 or it could be 4X5 + 6X6. We tend to use a timer and then see how many points we can earn in half an hour. You can aim to cover a line or have a continuous link from 1 - 100. Lends itself to different solutions.
Shut the box. The box has the numbers 1- 9 and by throwing two dice the player tries to shut down all 9 numbers. Simple but fun.
Logic puzzles
Tangram. Wonderful to play with and make different shapes. I found a ravensburger set with an entire booklet of ideas.
IQ block. Nine shapes that fit into a sqaure 40 different ways although finding one can be hard enough.
Other games
Blokus. Each player has 21 pieces to place on the board trying to maximise their coverage of the board whilst blocking their opponents. Reminds me of tetris.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Books for reading aloud
This post was inspired by a request for ideas for reading aloud to a boy, 7 years old so I have left out more "girly" books and older books. As you can see from the list our tastes veer towards fantasy and humour. Other suggestions gratefully received.
Fantasy
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hynotism by Georgia Byng. This is the first in the series. They are very funny but with satisfying twists and turns. The series needs to be read in order.
Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
Charmed Life
Lives of Christopher Chant
Witch Week
Magicians of Caprona
Conrad's Fate
The Pinhoe Egg
These can be read in any order but it is worth reading Charmed Life first and the Pinhoe Egg last. In the first book Cat has a sister with very strong magic so they are taken to live at Chrestomanci Castle where things are not quite as Cat imagines.
Eva Ibbotson
The Haunting of Hiram
The Beasts of Clawstone Castle
Which Witch?
The Secret of Platform 13
Dial-a ghost
Each book stands alone and there are others. Magical creatures abound and often there is skullduggery at work. Funny and exciting.
Mary Poppins by P L Travers. The Mary of the books is nothing like the film. Much grumpier and far less sweet. Each chapter is complete so no pressure to read the next one to find out what happens next.
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L Baum. very enjoyable initial trip to Oz. There are lots of sequels but the only one I have read was not a patch on the original.
Fergus Crane by Stewart and Riddell.
Corby Flood
Hugo Pepper
Whimsical drawings and a slightly strange storylines make a charming combination. These books are not related to each other. In Fergus Crane 5 children are having their lessons on a pirate ship but very strange lessons they are. Then one day the ship sails off with all the children except Fergus and he must rescue them.
Humour
Little Wolf's Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow. Little Wolf has trouble being bad so is sent to stay with his uncle The Big Bad Wolf. LW wins through without even meaning to. Told in a series of letters. The 5 sequels are just as much fun.
Flat Stanly by Jeff Brown. One morning Stanley wakes up completely flat because a noticeboard has fallen on him. Splendidly surreal. Also comes with sequels.
How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is trying to become a Viking hero but is just not beefy enough. Luckily he ahs brains instead. I personally have avoided the film because I love the books SO much. Fun to read with lots of excuses for silly voices. The books can be read out of order but are better read consectutively.
Captain Underpants. I didn't particularly want to read this but it was actually more fun than I was expecting.
You're a Bad Man Mr Gum by Andy Stanton. Hysterically silly farce from which you will learn that the truth is a lemon meringue.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Very anarchic and funny. Trying school or dealing with burglars - nothing fazes Pippi.
Professor Branestawn by Norman Hunter. The Professor has an invention for every occasion. Another book where each chapter is complete in itself.
Animals
The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel. The King is dying and needs to be told stories to make his heart beat faster whilst the Doctor finds his medicine. A lovely mixture of stories. Unfortunately this is currently out of print but well worth finding a copy.
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien. Mrs Frisby is a mouse who needs help moving her home so she goes to the rats for help and discovers a whole different lifestyle. Fantastic and rather thought provoking.
Others
Railway children by E Nesbit. The children have to leave London and make a new life in Yorkshire when their father mysteriously goes away. You know the film. Well the book is good too.
When the Siren Wailed by Noel Streatfeild. Three children are evacuated during the Blitz and experience different households. Nice depiction of siblings.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Great depiction of life on the frontier. Laura was far more interested in what her father did than her mother!
Roald Dahl. Find the ones that work for your family. We like:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Matilda
The Magic Finger
The Last Polar Bears by Harry Horse. Grandpa sends letters home about his adventures with Roo the Dog.
Stig of the Dump by Clive King. Barney finds a cave boy living in his local dump.
The Town that went to sea by Clive King. Part of England separates and floats off to the other side of the world.
Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. When Marcus is wounded on battle he has to find a new life for himself. Adventure beckons when he has a chance to reclaim the lsot Eagle of the Ninth Legion.
Usborne Puzzle Adventure
Puzzle Island
Puzzle Mountain etc
There are lots in this series. They are not for bedtime reading but great for working on together.
This post was inspired by a request for ideas for reading aloud to a boy, 7 years old so I have left out more "girly" books and older books. As you can see from the list our tastes veer towards fantasy and humour. Other suggestions gratefully received.
Fantasy
Molly Moon's Incredible Book of Hynotism by Georgia Byng. This is the first in the series. They are very funny but with satisfying twists and turns. The series needs to be read in order.
Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
Charmed Life
Lives of Christopher Chant
Witch Week
Magicians of Caprona
Conrad's Fate
The Pinhoe Egg
These can be read in any order but it is worth reading Charmed Life first and the Pinhoe Egg last. In the first book Cat has a sister with very strong magic so they are taken to live at Chrestomanci Castle where things are not quite as Cat imagines.
Eva Ibbotson
The Haunting of Hiram
The Beasts of Clawstone Castle
Which Witch?
The Secret of Platform 13
Dial-a ghost
Each book stands alone and there are others. Magical creatures abound and often there is skullduggery at work. Funny and exciting.
Mary Poppins by P L Travers. The Mary of the books is nothing like the film. Much grumpier and far less sweet. Each chapter is complete so no pressure to read the next one to find out what happens next.
The Wizard of Oz by Frank L Baum. very enjoyable initial trip to Oz. There are lots of sequels but the only one I have read was not a patch on the original.
Fergus Crane by Stewart and Riddell.
Corby Flood
Hugo Pepper
Whimsical drawings and a slightly strange storylines make a charming combination. These books are not related to each other. In Fergus Crane 5 children are having their lessons on a pirate ship but very strange lessons they are. Then one day the ship sails off with all the children except Fergus and he must rescue them.
Humour
Little Wolf's Book of Badness by Ian Whybrow. Little Wolf has trouble being bad so is sent to stay with his uncle The Big Bad Wolf. LW wins through without even meaning to. Told in a series of letters. The 5 sequels are just as much fun.
Flat Stanly by Jeff Brown. One morning Stanley wakes up completely flat because a noticeboard has fallen on him. Splendidly surreal. Also comes with sequels.
How to Train your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. Hiccup Horrendous Haddock the Third is trying to become a Viking hero but is just not beefy enough. Luckily he ahs brains instead. I personally have avoided the film because I love the books SO much. Fun to read with lots of excuses for silly voices. The books can be read out of order but are better read consectutively.
Captain Underpants. I didn't particularly want to read this but it was actually more fun than I was expecting.
You're a Bad Man Mr Gum by Andy Stanton. Hysterically silly farce from which you will learn that the truth is a lemon meringue.
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Very anarchic and funny. Trying school or dealing with burglars - nothing fazes Pippi.
Professor Branestawn by Norman Hunter. The Professor has an invention for every occasion. Another book where each chapter is complete in itself.
Animals
The King of the Copper Mountains by Paul Biegel. The King is dying and needs to be told stories to make his heart beat faster whilst the Doctor finds his medicine. A lovely mixture of stories. Unfortunately this is currently out of print but well worth finding a copy.
Mrs Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert O'Brien. Mrs Frisby is a mouse who needs help moving her home so she goes to the rats for help and discovers a whole different lifestyle. Fantastic and rather thought provoking.
Others
Railway children by E Nesbit. The children have to leave London and make a new life in Yorkshire when their father mysteriously goes away. You know the film. Well the book is good too.
When the Siren Wailed by Noel Streatfeild. Three children are evacuated during the Blitz and experience different households. Nice depiction of siblings.
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Great depiction of life on the frontier. Laura was far more interested in what her father did than her mother!
Roald Dahl. Find the ones that work for your family. We like:
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Matilda
The Magic Finger
The Last Polar Bears by Harry Horse. Grandpa sends letters home about his adventures with Roo the Dog.
Stig of the Dump by Clive King. Barney finds a cave boy living in his local dump.
The Town that went to sea by Clive King. Part of England separates and floats off to the other side of the world.
Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff. When Marcus is wounded on battle he has to find a new life for himself. Adventure beckons when he has a chance to reclaim the lsot Eagle of the Ninth Legion.
Usborne Puzzle Adventure
Puzzle Island
Puzzle Mountain etc
There are lots in this series. They are not for bedtime reading but great for working on together.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Novels set in Tudor times
I have listed the novels I have found by which monarch they fall under.
Henry VII
Christopher Colombus: the life of the intrepid Italian explorer by Martin Howard. (Lives in action)
The Lark and the Laurel by Barbara Willard. A young woman is growing up without her father because he sided with Richard III
The Woolpack by Cynthia Harnett. Deals with merchants rather than the aristocracy.
Henry VIII
VIII by H M Castor. Told in the first person and in present tense the story of Henry VIII.
The Popinjay by Iona McGregor, 1969. Set in St Andrews, Scotland, it tells the story of David who is trapped in the town when the Lutherans take over the cathedral. Set in 1547.
Edward VI
Prince and the pauper by Mark Twain. Hard read because of the use of Olde English.
Treason by Berlie Doherty. Will is page to Prince Edward but his position puts his father in danger.
Traitor’s kiss by Pauline Francis. Story about Elizabeth and the period during which she lived with Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour.
Mary 1
Stars of fortune by Cynthia Harnett. An early ancestor of George Washington is living near Woodstock
Elizabeth
A Traveller in time by Alison Uttley. A young girl travels back in time to the dispute between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots.
At the house of the magician by Mary Hooper. Lucy gets a job in Doctor Dee’s house after running away from home.
Brother Dustyfeet by Rosemary Sutcliff (1952), illus. by C. Walter Hodges
Cue for treason by Geoffrey Trease. Young man discovers a plot against Elizabeth. Includes Shakespeare's company
Gunner’s boy by Ann Turnball (Tudor flashbacks). Jon wants to join the navy and fight the Spanish Armada
Isabel: Taking wing by Annie Dalton (Girls in many lands) Set in 1592
Montacute House by Lucy Jago. Cess is the poultry girl but one morning she finds a gold pendant. Includes witchcraft and politics and is aimed at teens.
Pirate Lord by Terry Deary. Loosely based on a real event and set aboard the Golden Hind
Raider’s tide by Maggie Prince. Historical and romantic drama set in the Border country about 16 year old Beatie.
Sir Francis Drake and his daring deeds by Roy Gerrard. A picture book in verse.
The Devil and his boy by Anthony Horowitz. Tom is helpless until he meets up with Moll Cutpurse and together they have to foil a plot against the Queen.
The Galleon by Ronald Welch. Set in 1583 Robert becomes involved in foiling a catholic plot to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne.
The Queen Elizabeth story by Rosemary Sutcliff
The Spanish Letters by Mollie Hunter . Can Jamie and Macey thwart a Spanish plot in invade England and Scotland?
When beacons blazed by Hester Burton. Set at the time of the armada.
Mary, Queen of Scots
A Traveller in time by Alison Uttley. A young girl travels back in time to the dispute between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots.
The Galleon by Ronald Welch. Set in 1583 Robert becomes involved in foiling a catholic plot to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne.
The Puzzle ring by Kate Forsyth. A time travel novel this involves Hannah going back to Scotland in the 1560s to undo a family curse.
Shakespeare (Yes I know he is not a monarch!)
Shakespeare's apprentice by Veronica Bennett. Love story between an actor and the niece of the Earl of Essex
The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard by Gregory Rogers. Picture book without words. A boy on a trip to the globe goes back in time and meets everyone else in the title
The Player's Boy by Antonia Forest. Young boy leaves home and ends up in Shakespeare's company
The My Story series take the form of a diary written by a teenager of the period. The following are the ones that cover the Tudor period.
Anne Boelyn and me by Alison Prince
Armada: The Story of Thomas Hobbs, England, 1587-1588 by Jim Eldridge (2002) (My story)
Elizabeth (My Royal Story) by Kathryn Lasky
Henry VIII's Wives by Alison Prince (2011) (My story)
Lady Jane Grey, 1547 by Sue Reid (2012) (My story)
Mary Queen of Scots (My Royal Story) by Kathryn Lasky
My Tudor Queen by Alison Prince
The Bloody Tower by Valerie Wilding
The Queen's Spies: The Diary of Catherine "Kitty" Lumsden, London, 1583-1586 by Valerie Wilding (2006) [re-released as: To Kill a Queen ]
The Sparks seies are simple chapter books aimed at KS2.
Tudor Sparks are:
Henry VII
Christopher Colombus: the life of the intrepid Italian explorer by Martin Howard. (Lives in action)
The Lark and the Laurel by Barbara Willard. A young woman is growing up without her father because he sided with Richard III
The Woolpack by Cynthia Harnett. Deals with merchants rather than the aristocracy.
Henry VIII
VIII by H M Castor. Told in the first person and in present tense the story of Henry VIII.
The Popinjay by Iona McGregor, 1969. Set in St Andrews, Scotland, it tells the story of David who is trapped in the town when the Lutherans take over the cathedral. Set in 1547.
Edward VI
Prince and the pauper by Mark Twain. Hard read because of the use of Olde English.
Treason by Berlie Doherty. Will is page to Prince Edward but his position puts his father in danger.
Traitor’s kiss by Pauline Francis. Story about Elizabeth and the period during which she lived with Catherine Parr and Thomas Seymour.
Mary 1
Stars of fortune by Cynthia Harnett. An early ancestor of George Washington is living near Woodstock
Elizabeth
A Traveller in time by Alison Uttley. A young girl travels back in time to the dispute between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots.
At the house of the magician by Mary Hooper. Lucy gets a job in Doctor Dee’s house after running away from home.
Brother Dustyfeet by Rosemary Sutcliff (1952), illus. by C. Walter Hodges
Cue for treason by Geoffrey Trease. Young man discovers a plot against Elizabeth. Includes Shakespeare's company
Gunner’s boy by Ann Turnball (Tudor flashbacks). Jon wants to join the navy and fight the Spanish Armada
Isabel: Taking wing by Annie Dalton (Girls in many lands) Set in 1592
Montacute House by Lucy Jago. Cess is the poultry girl but one morning she finds a gold pendant. Includes witchcraft and politics and is aimed at teens.
Pirate Lord by Terry Deary. Loosely based on a real event and set aboard the Golden Hind
Raider’s tide by Maggie Prince. Historical and romantic drama set in the Border country about 16 year old Beatie.
Sir Francis Drake and his daring deeds by Roy Gerrard. A picture book in verse.
The Devil and his boy by Anthony Horowitz. Tom is helpless until he meets up with Moll Cutpurse and together they have to foil a plot against the Queen.
The Galleon by Ronald Welch. Set in 1583 Robert becomes involved in foiling a catholic plot to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne.
The Queen Elizabeth story by Rosemary Sutcliff
The Spanish Letters by Mollie Hunter . Can Jamie and Macey thwart a Spanish plot in invade England and Scotland?
When beacons blazed by Hester Burton. Set at the time of the armada.
Mary, Queen of Scots
A Traveller in time by Alison Uttley. A young girl travels back in time to the dispute between Elizabeth and Mary Queen of Scots.
The Galleon by Ronald Welch. Set in 1583 Robert becomes involved in foiling a catholic plot to put Mary Queen of Scots on the throne.
The Puzzle ring by Kate Forsyth. A time travel novel this involves Hannah going back to Scotland in the 1560s to undo a family curse.
Shakespeare (Yes I know he is not a monarch!)
Shakespeare's apprentice by Veronica Bennett. Love story between an actor and the niece of the Earl of Essex
The Boy, the Bear, the Baron, the Bard by Gregory Rogers. Picture book without words. A boy on a trip to the globe goes back in time and meets everyone else in the title
The Player's Boy by Antonia Forest. Young boy leaves home and ends up in Shakespeare's company
The My Story series take the form of a diary written by a teenager of the period. The following are the ones that cover the Tudor period.
Anne Boelyn and me by Alison Prince
Armada: The Story of Thomas Hobbs, England, 1587-1588 by Jim Eldridge (2002) (My story)
Elizabeth (My Royal Story) by Kathryn Lasky
Henry VIII's Wives by Alison Prince (2011) (My story)
Lady Jane Grey, 1547 by Sue Reid (2012) (My story)
Mary Queen of Scots (My Royal Story) by Kathryn Lasky
My Tudor Queen by Alison Prince
The Bloody Tower by Valerie Wilding
The Queen's Spies: The Diary of Catherine "Kitty" Lumsden, London, 1583-1586 by Valerie Wilding (2006) [re-released as: To Kill a Queen ]
The Sparks seies are simple chapter books aimed at KS2.
Tudor Sparks are:
A Horse called Deathblow
A Pig called Henry
A Queen’s promise. Mary Queen of Scots
Birthdays are a serious business.
Captain Drake’s orders. Armada
Dancing for Captain Drake
Mystery at the globe
Plague! A Tudor epidemic
A Pig called Henry
A Queen’s promise. Mary Queen of Scots
Birthdays are a serious business.
Captain Drake’s orders. Armada
Dancing for Captain Drake
Mystery at the globe
Plague! A Tudor epidemic
Sunday, 4 April 2010
Greek Myths
We have been reading a lot of Greek Myths over the past month inspired by the Percy Jackson series. Percy Jackson thinks he is a normal boy but discovers that his father is a Greek God. The Greek Gods have survived through the ages by moving to wherever the main source of Western power is based, presently America. They are very enjoyable with a lot of humour but as I have revisited the myths I am even more impressed by Rick Riordan's knowledge of the myths. So far my daughter and I have read all five books in the Percy Jackson series and seen the first film which isn't bad for a book adaptation by Hollywood. My partner and son are now on the 4th book.
In reading the myths we have tried out a range of sources. We started with "The Usborne Book of Greek Myths" which is a nice introduction. "The Children's book of Myths and Legends" is very short (each myth is retold over a double page spread) but includes Norse, Aboriginal, Finnish and Irish amongst others. "The Orchard book of Greek Gods and Goddesses" has been our favourite so far as it is very funny. Following on from that one we have dipped into "The Orchard Book of Greek Myths" and "The Orchard book of the Unicorn and other magical animals".
For more factual books we have read "Gods and Goddesses" by John Malam which I would recommend, "Ancient Greeks" suitable for readers who are growing in confidence and "The British Museum pocket dictionary Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses" which was disappointing because it did not include as many of the minor gods as we wanted although fine as a quick reference guide. We have also read "The Greek News" which packs a lot of infromation into newspaper style columns and "You wouldn't want to be a slave in Ancient Greece" one of this enjoyable series which reads as though the reader has been captured by the Greeks to become a slave (reasonable Yuck factor!)
For activity books I found "Greek activity book" which is clearly laid out and includes the Greek alphabet, making Pandora's box, making Medusa's head shield and making a winner's olive wreath. "Ancient Greece fun book" is full of word searches, spot the difference, crosswords and number puzzles. "Spend the day in Ancient Greece" is American in origin. I haven't used this yet but a story is told of a special day for two Greek children and then activities grow out of that day.
Books
Ancient Greece (British Museum Fun Book) by Sandy Ransford. British Museum 1999
Ancient Greeks (Usborne Beginners) by Stephanie Turnball. Usborne 2004
The Children's Book of Myths and Legends retold by Ronnie Randall. Armadillo 2001
Gods and Goddesses (Ancient Greece) by John Malam. Wayland 1999
Greek Activity Book (Creative Fun) by Sue and Steve Weatherill, b small publishing, 2006
Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses (British Museum Pocket Dictionary) by Richard Woff. British Museum 2003
The Greek News by Anton Powell and Philip Steele. Walker 2008
The Orchard Book of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1997
The Orchard book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1992
The Orchard Book of the Unicorn and other magical animals by Margaret Mayo. Orchard 1996
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Puffin, 2005
Spend the day in Ancient Greece: projects and activiities that bring tha past to life by Linda Honan.Jossey Bass, 1998
Usborne Greek Myths for Young Children retold by Heather Amery. Usborne 1999
You wouldn't want to be a slva in Ancient Greece by Fiona Macdonald. Hodder Wayland, 2001
In reading the myths we have tried out a range of sources. We started with "The Usborne Book of Greek Myths" which is a nice introduction. "The Children's book of Myths and Legends" is very short (each myth is retold over a double page spread) but includes Norse, Aboriginal, Finnish and Irish amongst others. "The Orchard book of Greek Gods and Goddesses" has been our favourite so far as it is very funny. Following on from that one we have dipped into "The Orchard Book of Greek Myths" and "The Orchard book of the Unicorn and other magical animals".
For more factual books we have read "Gods and Goddesses" by John Malam which I would recommend, "Ancient Greeks" suitable for readers who are growing in confidence and "The British Museum pocket dictionary Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses" which was disappointing because it did not include as many of the minor gods as we wanted although fine as a quick reference guide. We have also read "The Greek News" which packs a lot of infromation into newspaper style columns and "You wouldn't want to be a slave in Ancient Greece" one of this enjoyable series which reads as though the reader has been captured by the Greeks to become a slave (reasonable Yuck factor!)
For activity books I found "Greek activity book" which is clearly laid out and includes the Greek alphabet, making Pandora's box, making Medusa's head shield and making a winner's olive wreath. "Ancient Greece fun book" is full of word searches, spot the difference, crosswords and number puzzles. "Spend the day in Ancient Greece" is American in origin. I haven't used this yet but a story is told of a special day for two Greek children and then activities grow out of that day.
Books
Ancient Greece (British Museum Fun Book) by Sandy Ransford. British Museum 1999
Ancient Greeks (Usborne Beginners) by Stephanie Turnball. Usborne 2004
The Children's Book of Myths and Legends retold by Ronnie Randall. Armadillo 2001
Gods and Goddesses (Ancient Greece) by John Malam. Wayland 1999
Greek Activity Book (Creative Fun) by Sue and Steve Weatherill, b small publishing, 2006
Greek and Roman Gods and Goddesses (British Museum Pocket Dictionary) by Richard Woff. British Museum 2003
The Greek News by Anton Powell and Philip Steele. Walker 2008
The Orchard Book of Greek Gods and Goddesses by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1997
The Orchard book of Greek Myths by Geraldine McCaughrean. Orchard 1992
The Orchard Book of the Unicorn and other magical animals by Margaret Mayo. Orchard 1996
Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. Puffin, 2005
Spend the day in Ancient Greece: projects and activiities that bring tha past to life by Linda Honan.Jossey Bass, 1998
Usborne Greek Myths for Young Children retold by Heather Amery. Usborne 1999
You wouldn't want to be a slva in Ancient Greece by Fiona Macdonald. Hodder Wayland, 2001
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Introduction
My name is Jane and I read lots of children's books. I have two children who are past the picture book stage but who still like to be read to. I occasionally am asked for suggestions for other people's children so I thought I would keep all my ideas here for anyone to find. Picture books can be easier to find but when they get older is when it can be harder.
I also love playing board ames and especially with my sonI have explored an awful lot. I will also include my views on board games.
Hope you enjoy reading them
I also love playing board ames and especially with my sonI have explored an awful lot. I will also include my views on board games.
Hope you enjoy reading them
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