Little Guides to Great Lives by Isabel Thomas

Written by Isabel Thomas
Illustrated by Various Artists

It is very important to have history books as part of your child’s home library and therefore in today's video I am recommending an incredible biography series for ages 6 and up. This series also wonderfully doubles up for Early Chapter Books.

Little Guides to Great Lives is a truly remarkable series with 10 different titles and introduces children to the most amazing people from all over the world and across history. From Curie to Kahlo and Darwin to Da Vinci, Little Guides to Great Lives tells the stories in a very engaging manner.

This series presents the biography in very simple narrative, supported by captivating illustrations. The Illustrations in the series incorporates; speech/thought bubbles, fact blocks, depiction of letters, journals and other personal elements of the historical figure making the read even more engaging.

Like this quote, which appears in Little Guides to Great Lives: Marie Curie

“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and, above all, confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.”

The historical figures have been introduced from multiple frame of reference, their important life events along with their phenomenal work have been emphasized. The back of the book in most of the titles include the timeline of the figure, a glossary where the most difficult words are explained, index and how their work impacts our lives today (wherever relevant). 

Here is the video 👇 in case you would like to have a look inside the books:

  

Listing down all the titles here from LITTLE GUIDES TO GREAT LIVES

1. MARIE CURIE

Marie Curie was a brilliant scientist who coined the term 'radioactivity', discovered polonium and radium, and helped develop treatments for cancer. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, but her dedication to physics ultimately caused her death from radiation. 

(Get your copy here)        

2. ANNE FRANK

Anne Frank was an ordinary girl living in extraordinary times. Forced to go into hiding to escape the Nazis' persecution of Jews in World War II, Anne kept a diary that would become one of the most famous books in the world. 

(Get your copy here)

3. CHARLES DARWIN

Charles Darwin's ideas about evolution caused both outrage and wonder, and quickly made him one of the most famous men in history. From his five-year voyage across the high seas to 20 years of research, follow Darwin on his adventure to prove a theory that would change the world. 

(Get your copy here)         

4. AMELIA EARHART

The first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, Amelia Earhart was a superstar of aviation in the 1920s and 1930s and a pioneer of women's rights. Her disappearance in 1937, while attempting to fly around the world, remains an unsolved mystery.

(Get your copy here)

5. FRIDA KAHLO

Frida Kahlo was a colourful Mexican artist who endured great pain and hardship, but used her bright, vivid brushstrokes to express her emotions and reveal her true personality. She created over 50 self-portraits, and is considered to be one of the most influential and inspirational artists of the twentieth century.

(Get your copy here)

6. MAYA ANGELOU

Maya Angelou was an African-American author, poet, playwright and civil rights activist. She wrote seven autobiographies, three books of essays, several books of poetry, and a long list of plays, films and television shows. Never taking 'No' for an answer, Maya used her voice and her art to overcome prejudice and difficulty and to become an inspiration to those around her and to future generations. 

(Get your copy here)        

7. LEONARDO DA VINCI

Most famous as the painter who created the Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinci is also one of history's greatest geniuses - he was a mathematician, architect, astronomer, scientist and musician... and he even invented the helicopter! 

(Get your copy here)            

8. NELSON MANDELA

Anti-apartheid revolutionary, politician and philanthropist, Nelson Mandela's journey from political prisoner to president of South Africa is an incredible tale of triumph in the face of adversity. 2018 marks a hundred years since his birth. 

(Get your copy here)            

9. Ferdinand Magellan

Explorer, sailor and Navigator, Ferdinand magellan led the first expedition to sail all the way around the world. He encountered lands and creatures that he could never have imagined, and the journey was fraught with danger and difficulty.

(Get your copy here)

10. Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking was one of the world’s most famous scientists. His ground-breaking research into black holes and the big Bang has helped to explain the beginnings of our universe and his book a brief History of time has sold over 10 million copies. Diagnosed with a form of motor neuron disease when he was a young man, Stephen was inspired to achieve his goals as fast as possible. Through incredible determination and skill, he became a legendary scientist, a best-selling author, and the man that changed the way we think about the universe.

(Get your copy here)

I here close this post with the author 'Isabel Thomas' quote -

"If you’re curious, keep doing what you love, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and stand up for what you believe in – we’re all capable of living a great life and changing the world for the better."