Published by Orion
Review by Lesley Finlay
Geraldine McCaughrean has made her name by re-telling familiar stories from her delightful Stories from Shakespeare to George and the Dragon and a World of Other Stories.
So this new edition of Britannia: Great Stories from British History should catch the eye. Alongside illustrator Richard Brassey (who, scandalously does not get an introductory biography in the book) she brings us a wonderful gallop through stories from history. Told in a lively, light style it is less tabloid than the Horrible Histories series which did so much to change teaching and attitudes to presenting the past in a digestible package.
I am so glad when I meet history teachers who are not sniffy about these things. The book begins with a lovely introduction ‘Since when was history true?’ and encourages us to take in the myth, propaganda and downright lies that make up so much history. The trick is to see all this as part of national heritage but also to seek justification and proof from a variety of sources.
It’s good to have a point of view, so these tales might make a good starting point to English lessons too – and this is how the book should be seen by young scholars of history. A place to whet the appetite for Britain’s history; each story is accompanied by a side panel explaining the historical context or provenance of the tale.
Beautifully written with Brassey’s quirky, colourful and fun illustrations, this is a great addition to the school library or home bookshelf.