Book 4

From sacred cats to the invention of toothpaste, Blue Peter Award winning author David Long takes readers on an intriguing investigation into the ancient Egyptian civilisation.

The incredible civilisation of ancient Egypt lasted for 3,000 years. Ruled over by pharaohs, the Egyptians developed agricultural skills and trading partnerships that enabled them to build a rich and powerful nation centred on the Nile.

Far more advanced than any European coutnries at the time, the Egyptians achieved incredible feats of building, created a new way of writing, and revolutionised farming.

Find out what life as an ancient Egyptian was actually like, both for pharaohs and ordinary people, in this fascinating new exploration by award-winning author David Long.

Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.


Book 5


Embark on a fascinating foray into the lives of the Ancient Romans in this second instalment of David Long’s What it was like to be… series.

Who were the Romans and how did this small tribe come to dominate Italy before establishing the largest empire the world has ever seen? Why were the Romans such brilliant innovators, responsible for inventions including newspapers, concrete, surgeon’s tools and even an efficient postal system? What made their army invincible and their buildings so remarkable? And why, eventually, did the whole empire come crashing down?

David Long explains what life was actually like for ordinary Romans as well as their famous emperors, while also looking at the lingering influence of Roman civilisation throughout the world.