After our success at making a miniature paper Trojan Horse model a few weeks ago, we thought it was time for something a little more challenging. I really want to try out papier-mâché Greek vases, but H insisted we stick with what we know – so we raided the recycling, adapted a few instructions from the fantastic Hands on History: Ancient Greeks by Joe Fullman, and made an EVEN BIGGER Trojan Horse.
We’ve accidentally continued our theme from last time of “antiquity via retro kids TV” – but with a slightly different approach. Egypt has definitely been H’s favourite ‘ancient’ topic so far, and we’ve spent a lot of time over the past few months reading different books and trying out lots of excellently messy activities (we’ve even mummified a Brio man, RIP). But maybe the most fun yet has been acting out lots of very silly hijinks with Scooby Doo Adventure in Egypt from Playmobil. Yes, you read that right: Egyptian Scooby Doo! I was probably as excited as H was (maybe more).
We’re finally off to Ancient Rome, and taking a slightly retro route there first with Mr Benn Gladiator by the inimitable David McKee. We love David McKee. Elmer is a staple here and I’ve lost count of the patchwork elephants we’ve painted over the past few years, but by far H’s favourite David McKee book is Not Now, Bernard – a darkly humorous little story about a boy and a monster. We haven’t read any Mr Benn before, but this seemed like a fairly good place to start! I found this copy on a fieldtrip to Belsay Hall a couple of years back – they have an excellent second-hand book shop, well worth checking out if you’re there for a visit.
The best bit of any myth is the monster, right?! In the books we’ve been reading lately H has been especially interested in all the weird and wonderful monsters, so Fantastic Creatures by Kate McLelland seemed right up our street. Another British Museum/Nosy Crow collab, this book is entirely activity-based – making it a perfect choice for little hands that like to keep busy!
Back to Ancient Egypt we go, with the perfect book for inquisitive little investigators – Egypt Magnified by David Long and Harry Bloom. Another impressive hardback! Brightly coloured and bursting with detail, this search-and-find adventure book comes complete with its very own magnifying glass to help uncover all the smallest features hiding in each scene. And there is plenty to find! H loves any sort of ‘finding’ game, and had been learning how to use a magnifying glass at nursery, so when I spied this in Blackwells I knew we’d have to try it out. It has kept us busy!
wee classics 