Talking about the pictures helps to familiarise babies with patterns of speech. Talking and listening go together and help lay the foundations for language development.

Talking about the pictures helps to familiarise babies with patterns of speech. Talking and listening go together and help lay the foundations for language development.

Step inside the enormous, boldly designed Roman Colosseum and uncover the secret lives of the people who lived, worked and built this ancient monument. Completed in 96 AD, it’s a miraculous feat of engineering and entertaining – this is the place that gladiators fought for their lives as citizens whooped and cheered in the stands, thousands of years ago. Curious children can discover why and how the Colosseum was built; how it was decorated; who was allowed to enter; what took place behind the scenes; and what the Roman world was like.

With superb cutaway illustrations and pinpoint enlargements to accompany the text, this book is the perfect gift for history enthusiasts eager to learn more about ancient Rome. Informative captions, maps, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal educational text for children studying the Romans.

Step inside a Viking town and discover for yourself what it was like to live and work in this bustling centre of long-distance trade. Admire the well-built houses before joining the town’s defenders as they fight off an attack by rivals from across the sea. This is a superbly-illustrated look at the daily lives of different types of Vikings.

With superb cutaway illustrations, we explore the astounding architectural achievements and day-to-day activities of the Vikings, looking at how they ate, dressed, entertained themselves and sometimes fought. Informative captions, maps, a complete glossary and an index makes this title an ideal educational aid for children aged 9 and up studying this period.

Step inside a Roman fort and discover the innovative techniques used to defend the structure from hostile neighbours and marauding bands. Walk every inch of the Roman fort, from the barracks to the bath house, and uncover what it was really like to be a Roman soldier. Spend the day exploring daily life, learning about everything from rest and relaxation to hygiene, religion, entertainment and active service.

With superb cutaway illustrations, dive into the fascinating facts of Roman civilisation. Informative captions, maps, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal educational text for school children studying the ancient Roman empire.

A distinguished senator has gone into hiding after being accused of treachery, leaving his family to fend for themselves. His elder son Quintus has become a gladiator, while young Lucius works as a servant in the gladiator school. Lucius is convinced of his father’s innocence – but how can he prove it? The gladiator troupe is sent to Pompeii to take part in the games. It’s a lawless place, where knife-wielding thugs lurk in every alleway. But Lucius is befriended by Valens, the sponsor of the games, who offers to help him find his father…

Meanwhile, strange rumblings and tremors are felt in the town, and a seer is warning that the ‘end of days’ is approaching. What can this portend? Can Quin survive his fights with the seasoned gladiators of Pompeii? And is Valens all he seems?

Young Lucius’s privileged life is changed forever when his father, accused of being a traitor, disappears and leaves his family in shame and poverty. His brother Quintus chooses to train as a gladiator. Life for Lucius is now among the slaves and criminals who work and train at Rome’s gladiator school.

Blood Oath, the first title in the series, leads the reader into an exciting story of family, betrayal, innocence lost and power abused. Can Lucius decode the strange messages and find his father? Can he save his family from the grasping hands of his uncle, Ravilla? And can Quintus survive long enough in the arena to fight another day?

Originating in Japan, the art of manga is now a worldwide phenomenon, using a distinctive style to portray everything from romance to science fiction. In this book, you’ll learn the techniques used in drawing exciting characters, monsters and robots in an amazing manga style. Perfect for young, aspiring artists who want to master their sketching skills, or manga fans eager to kickstart their comic journey!

The How To Draw series takes a highly visual and practical approach to drawing, featuring step-by-step instructions for each art project. From basic shapes to finished art, this book uses two different coloured lines throughout to highlight clearly each process and which steps to follow. The series covers a comprehensive range of core techniques – with sections on materials, composition and perspective.