Factology: Romans
Factology: Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures
Factology: Robots & AI
Button Books

Each of these new titles in the series offers a fact-packed, fast paced introduction to the topic. Individual readers will choose according to their interest or perhaps on account of a current subject focus in their school. For instance the key stage 2 national curriculum requires that children learn about the Roman Empire and its impact on Britain.

Like the other titles, Romans is divided into three chapters. Each has full-colour photographs and illustrations together with an accessible, easy-to-follow, bite-sized text that offers a good introduction to its subject, explaining key concepts and highlighting significant events in a manner that is both clear and entertaining. Did you know that those ancient Romans were extraordinarily fierce? For instance, a gladiator fight ended only when one of the combatants died or cried for mercy. Those who did survive sometimes became very rich. The Romans were also well-known for their inventive skills and you will also encounter all-powerful emperors, some worse than others, superb architecture, an impressive network of roads and much more.

Although Dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures are not specifically included in the primary curriculum, huge numbers of children are fascinated by them and so teachers often find ways to incorporate them into thematic work.

As for Robots & AI, this is an area that all children will increasingly need to be informed about. Moreover a robotics topic brings together all the STEM areas and could be an exciting way of so doing with older children. It was absolutely fascinating to read of the number of ways robots are used in medicine.

I would advocate including all three books in both primary and secondary school collections.