History for Kids

albionmoonlight · 10-20-2016, 08:02 PM

My son (8) is starting to get into history. In particular American history. He reads a few years ahead of his age.

Any good books or graphic novels or other resources to recommend? I was always more of a science/nature kid myself, so I never read much history.

I'd love to keep his interest high, so entertainment is somewhat of a factor.

Thanks for any recommendations.

Flasch186 · 10-20-2016, 08:10 PM

I think playing civilization and sending him into the civilopedia is a pretty cool idea, no?

cuervo72 · 10-20-2016, 08:24 PM

Probably not a viable option here, but as a kid I would spend loads of time looking through these:

Encyclopedia Year Book 1968: Robert T. Niland, Carole Fern Halpert, Lowell A. Martin, James E. Jarnagin, Jr. James E. Churchill, Mary Beth Cady, Helmut A. Abt, Harold Atkins, John M. Bailey, N. Carl Barefoot, Jack Straley Battell, David Eugene Bell, Wilf Bell, Betsy Talbot Blackwell, Raymond C. Bliss, George A. W. Boehm: Amazon.com: Books

Maybe I was a bit older than 8, but reading about the culture, sports, science (space race!), and politics from the late 50s through the 60s was enthralling.

edit: I think these were also titled "The Story of Our Time" from Grolier.

rowech · 10-20-2016, 08:38 PM

Cornerstones of Freedom book series from the 60s-70s.

Groundhog · 10-20-2016, 08:44 PM

I highly recommend the Horrible Histories TV series for a light-hearted/fun look at history. It's targeted at kids and runs widely across history all over the world, and I enjoy it even as an adult. I've only seen the first couple of seasons, but there was apparently another one in 2015, and originally it was a series of books (of which I haven't read, so can't comment there).

henry296 · 10-20-2016, 08:54 PM

My kids loved the Who was series of biographies. There are also some about things or places and some living people too.

MrBug708 · 10-20-2016, 09:05 PM

Have him read the "Who was" series. It covers a huge range of historical figures and events

Who Was? Books: A Series of Biographies for Kids

Warhammer · 10-20-2016, 11:39 PM

There's was a picture history of the Civil War book by Bruce Canton I used to love as a kid.

ColtCrazy · 10-21-2016, 08:48 PM

There's some things out there.

Usborne has a good selection of history books on various topics that are geared to kids. Wonderfully illustrated and detailed.

If you want something off the wall, the "You wouldn't want to be..." series has some good things on history all the way back to ancient times.

The "What was" or "Who was" series is non-fiction written at a 3rd-4th grade level. Some good titles there.

Horrible Histories are quirky titles too that offer some good info at a kid loving grotesque angle.

10-20-2016, 08:10 PM	#2
Flasch186 Coordinator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL	I think playing civilization and sending him into the civilopedia is a pretty cool idea, no? __________________ Jacksonville-florida-homes-for-sale Putting a New Spin on Real Estate! ----------------------------------------------------------- Commissioner of the USFL USFL

10-20-2016, 08:24 PM	#3
cuervo72 Head Coach Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maryland	Probably not a viable option here, but as a kid I would spend loads of time looking through these: Encyclopedia Year Book 1968: Robert T. Niland, Carole Fern Halpert, Lowell A. Martin, James E. Jarnagin, Jr. James E. Churchill, Mary Beth Cady, Helmut A. Abt, Harold Atkins, John M. Bailey, N. Carl Barefoot, Jack Straley Battell, David Eugene Bell, Wilf Bell, Betsy Talbot Blackwell, Raymond C. Bliss, George A. W. Boehm: Amazon.com: Books Maybe I was a bit older than 8, but reading about the culture, sports, science (space race!), and politics from the late 50s through the 60s was enthralling. edit: I think these were also titled "The Story of Our Time" from Grolier. __________________ null Last edited by cuervo72 : 10-20-2016 at 08:37 PM.

10-20-2016, 08:44 PM	#5
Groundhog Coordinator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Sydney, Australia	I highly recommend the Horrible Histories TV series for a light-hearted/fun look at history. It's targeted at kids and runs widely across history all over the world, and I enjoy it even as an adult. I've only seen the first couple of seasons, but there was apparently another one in 2015, and originally it was a series of books (of which I haven't read, so can't comment there). __________________ Politics, n. Strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles. --Ambrose Bierce

10-20-2016, 08:54 PM	#6
henry296 College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Pittsburgh, PA	My kids loved the Who was series of biographies. There are also some about things or places and some living people too. __________________ "It's a great day for hockey" - "Badger" Bob Johnson

10-21-2016, 08:48 PM	#9
ColtCrazy College Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Midwest	There's some things out there. Usborne has a good selection of history books on various topics that are geared to kids. Wonderfully illustrated and detailed. If you want something off the wall, the "You wouldn't want to be..." series has some good things on history all the way back to ancient times. The "What was" or "Who was" series is non-fiction written at a 3rd-4th grade level. Some good titles there. Horrible Histories are quirky titles too that offer some good info at a kid loving grotesque angle. __________________ The Field Generals and Statis Pro Basketball Super League

10-20-2016, 08:38 PM	#4
rowech Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2006	Cornerstones of Freedom book series from the 60s-70s.

10-20-2016, 09:05 PM	#7
MrBug708 Head Coach Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Whittier	Have him read the "Who was" series. It covers a huge range of historical figures and events Who Was? Books: A Series of Biographies for Kids

10-20-2016, 11:39 PM	#8
Warhammer Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dayton, OH	There's was a picture history of the Civil War book by Bruce Canton I used to love as a kid.

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