History VIPs: Mary Anning

by Kay Barnham

Published 13 August 2015

'She sells sea shells on the sea shore' - and she really did! This rhyme is thought to have been written about Mary Anning, an amazing fossilist and dinosaur expert, who was almost unknown at the time she lived. This biography explores the life of Mary Anning, from her first fossil finds at the age of ten to her sales of important discoveries to wealthy scientists. Mary's fossil finds made a great contribution to what scientist understood about pre-historic life.

Through the story of Mary Anning, readers learn about life and society in the 1800s and Victorian Britain. We learn what it was like to be born into a poor family and about the roles of women in society and in the field of science. Readers will learn to draw conclusions from the evidence provided - a great basis for class discussions.

History VIP biographies each look at the life of a famous Briton telling the stories of these Very Important People with clear, lively text. Amazing facts are added with feature panels and lively illustrations give visual information of the time and society the VIP lived in. With these key biographies students learn how individual people's actions have shaped the course of history.

Key terms are defined in an easy-to-use glossary encouraging readers to use historical terms in their own work.

History VIPs biographies focus on key subjects in the history curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3, exploring the impact of exceptional figures in history and the society and culture in Britain at the time that they lived.

Features include:
In other news - these panels give context and help readers to understand the society and events of the wider world in which the subject lived
True or False - questions lead students to question information and to interact with the facts they are presented with.
What they said - quote features bring the subjects to life using their own words!
WOW! - Boxes add humorous or amazing information to astound the reader and bring out the hilarious side of history


History VIPs: Charles Darwin

by Kay Barnham

Published 24 September 2015

Find out why Darwin's On the Origin of Species changed both science and society and explore his life story, from his early investigations of the natural world and his voyage on the HMS Beagle, to the publication of his great work.

Darwin astounded the world with his theory of evolution but some people were angry that his ideas challenged traditional ideas and those set out by the church. Through his story readers learn about the society and culture of Victorian Britain. Looking at Darwin's discoveries and the events of his life, we learn about the changing ideas in British society between 1745-1901, and the impact that his ideas had on the church and state. Readers will learn to draw conclusions from the evidence provided - a great basis for class discussions.

The History VIP series of biographies look at the lives of famous Britons, telling their life stories and how they have shaped the course of history. Focusing on key subjects in the history curriculum for Key Stages 2 and 3 they explore the impact of exceptional figures in history and the society and culture in Britain at the time that they lived.

Other titles in the series include: Boudicca; Emmeline Pankhurst; King John; Mary Anning


Emmeline Pankhurst

by Kay Barnham

Published 22 October 2015
Votes for Women! This biography tells the story of Emmeline Pankhurst, from her early campaigns for the rights of women to vote, through the formation of the Women's Social and Political Union, to the triumph following the First World War of the granting of rights for women. Emmeline believed that action was the way to get her cause noticed and to gain support. Through the story of Emmeline Pankhurst's strive for women's suffrage, we learn about the role of women in the society of Victorian Britain and the early 1900s. Looking at the challenges faced by society helps readers to consider their own life and time and how they have been shaped by the actions of individuals in the past. Readers will learn to draw conclusions from the evidence provided - a great basis for classroom discussion. History VIP biographies each look at the life of a famous Briton telling the stories of these Very Important People with clear, lively text. Amazing facts are added with feature panels and graphic-style illustrations give visual information of the time and society the VIP lived in. With these key biographies students learn how individual people's actions have shaped the course of history.
Key terms are defined in an easy-to-use glossary encouraging readers to use historical terms in their own work. Features include: In other news - these panels give context and help readers to understand the society and events of the wider world in which the subject lived True or False - questions lead students to question information and to interact with the facts they are presented with. What they said - quote features bring the subjects to life using their own words! WOW! - Boxes add humorous or amazing information to astound the reader and bring out the hilarious side of history