Highhill Homeschool: Travel

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Books for Kids Set in London

London is an exciting city which has served as the setting in many children’s books. Reading a book or two before a visit will make sightseeing more meaningful. These books are great for a London or England Geography Unit Study and entertain children at the same time.

Katie in London by James Mayhew is a delightful children's picture book for ages 4 and up. In the story Katies goes on an imaginary journey with the lions from Trafalgar Square. After reading this book children with have an extra special connection with the lion and other London landmarks.

Madeline in London by Ludwig Bemelmans is a story about a girl living in a Paris orphanidge who travels to London with her classmates. Madeline stories are written in prose and the illustrations show many landmarks. They are wonderful for children ages 4 and up.

Dodsworth in London by TimEgan is a humerous story about a duck which becomes seperated from his owner in London. The adventure takes readers through the city and to the palace. After reading this book children will look forward to seeing all of the double decker buses. It is best for ages 7 and up.

Stage Fright on a Summer Night by Mary Pope Osborne is a Magic Tree House book about William Shakespeare. Jack and Annie travel to England 500 years in the past and help Shakespeare with some of his difficult actors. This book is best for ages 7 and up.

Our Island Story by HE Marshall is an excellent history book of the United Kingdom written in entertaining story format. This is a long book which leaves the reader with a very good understanding of Brittish history. After reading this book or a portion of this book visits to the British Museum, Victoria and Albert museum and other museums become much more interesting for the entire family. The book is best for ages 8 and up.

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb contains twenty Shakespeare plays re-written in modern English for children. Reading this book is a great thing to do before watching a Shakespeare play at the globe theatre in London. This book is best for ages 12 and up.

Adam of the Road by Elizabeth Gray is about a the son of a minstrel who is lost and traveling from castle to castle entertaining kings. It is set in the United Kingdom during the middle ages and an excellent book to read for children ages 10 and up traveling to any European medieval landmarks.

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Books for Kids - Norway

This is a list of books for children with connections to Norway. They greatly enhance a Norwegian Geography Unit Study and compliment a trip to Norway.

The Vikings were once the sailors and rulers of the northern lands. In Oslo, Norway there is a museum which displays several Viking ships and artifacts. The Vikings had their own gods whose stories are told in Norse Myths.

Leif the Lucky by Ingri D’Aulaire is an outstanding picture book that tells the journey of Leif Erikson. Leif son of Erik the Red lived in Greenland and traveled to North America. The story tells of feasts, travelers, and Kings during the Viking times. This book is best for age 7 and up.

Viking Adventure by Clyde Robert Bulla tells the story of Sigurd, a Viking boy who leaves home to go on an adventure to Vineland. Readers learn much about Viking way of life through this wonderfully entertaining story best for ages 8 and up.

Viking Tales by Jeannie Hall is a book written in two parts. The first part tells the story of King Harald, the first Viking King. The second part tells the story of Erik the Red and Leif Erikson and their journeys to new lands. It is best for ages 9 and up. If you want to check out this book it is free on the internet: http://www.gutenberg.org

D’Aulaire’s Book of Norse Myths is a wonderful introduction to Norse Mythology. The Norse was the name given to the people who were descended from the Vikings and lived in Scandinavian lands. This book starts at the beginning of the story of Norse Mythology by explaining a bit about each god before telling his/her story. After reading about the beliefs of the Norsemen, Norwegian artwork is sure to have more meaning.

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan is a Norwegian story set during World War II. In the story school children help smuggle away the cities treasure and save it from falling into the hands of the Nazis. The story is best for ages 8 and up.

Kon Tiki by Thor Heyerdahl is the story of an amazing journey across the Pacific Ocean. The leader of the expedition was Thor Heyerdahl from Norway. In Oslo, Norway there is a museum which displays the Kon Tiki vessel used in the expedition, as well as information and vessels from Heyerdahl’s other expeditions. This book is best enjoyed by older children ages 12 to adults.

Venice Books for Kids

Venice is a city which was once a world leader. There are many wonderful children’s books that are fun to read which will make Venice come alive.

Papa Piccolo by Carol Talley is a story about a tom cat who likes to ride in the gondola boats in Venice. Stray cats and gondola boats are both a common site in Italy. This excellent picture book is great for ages 4 and up.

Carnival at Midnight by Mary Pope Osborne is a Magic Tree House Merlin Mission chapter book. Jack and Annie, the main characters, help to save Venice from a flood. Flooding is a common problem in Venice. This story is best for ages 7 and up.

Marco Polo by Russell Freedman tells the story of Marco Polo. Although much of this story is set in the land east of Venice, reading it will introduce children to the reason Venice flourished. Marco Polo was from Venice and trade was the purpose of his journey. This story is best for ages 9 and up.

Romeo and Juliette by William Shakespeare is a classic play. The story is set in the city of Verona which is about a one hour trip from Venice. The city of Verona has a tourist attraction known as Juliette’s house. Children’s versions of the story are best for the young.

The Lion of St. Mark by G.A. Henty is set in the fourteenth century during a time when Venice was a very important world city and involved in war. It is best for older children age 14 to adult.

Bravo, Zan Angelo!: A Commedia dell'Arte Tale is about a big performance during the carnival season.

Roman Forts - Saalburg

When the Roman Empire ruled forts were built all around the boarders. The Rhine and Danube Rivers were natural boundaries which required less monitoring, but the area between the rivers was known as the Limes and was marked with many forts. Although travel was open across the boundary soldiers monitored traffic much the same as a boarder crossing is monitored today.

Remains of many of the forts still exist today and they all are constructed using the same basic model with similar features. The Saalburg Fort in Bad Homburg, Germany has been rebuilt and is open to visitors.

Four nearly identical gates are located on the sides of the Fort.

Double ditches surrounded the fort for defensive purposes. Although they don't look difficult to penetrate, in former times they were constantly maintained by soldiers. The walls of the ditches were nearly vertical and they were filled with spiky logs and water. The trees surrounding the fort were cleared to allow soldiers to spot people approaching the fort.

Several wells were built at the fort.

The men slept in long barracks buildings.

Foot baths were created for washing feet and the water flowed in ditches.

The forts had center courtyards with a well in at least one corner.

Ceremonies such as retirements, assemblies and announcements took place in the main building of the fort.

Officers had nice living quarters complete with wall frescoes.

Outside the forts a cities sprang up. The villages supported the forts with hotels and shops. This is the remains of a thermal bath outside the fort boundary.

Roman Fort by Stephen Johnson explains forts and fort life in much more detail. After visiting, we browsed the book to further explain the fort.

Roman Theatre

The Roman Theatre in Verona, Italy was built during the 1st century. It sits on the edge of town just outside the river and city walls. Climbing up all those rows of seats I imagined the theatre filled with Romans watching a comedy. Just like people today watch a variety of television programs, tragedies and shows based on the Roman gods were also performed. Instead of going to the movies, the men would come to the theatre after a long day of work. Slaves giving the performances wore gray wigs and white clothing for old people and dark wigs and bright clothing for young. Were the slaves doing the acting happy with their jobs? Since the admission was free and this was one of the primary forms of entertainment the theatres must have been packed especially once women were allowed to see the shows.

As time wore on the theatre was eventually burried and forgotten about. In fact houses and other structures were built on top of it during the 10th century.

The Church of Saints Siro and Libera was built on the edge of the theatre during the 10th century.

Then during the 18th century a wealthy resident, rediscovered the theatre, bought the land and began excavation and restoration work. Now Shakespeare plays are performed at the theatre each summer.

Roman Arena

The Roman Arena in Verona, Italy was built in AD 30. It is the third largest arena of its kind.

A ring rounds the entire structure under the seats.

30,000 spectators could view gladiator fights in the arena. Today seating is reduced to 15,000 and spectators enjoy operas and other musical performances.

The kids really liked climbing around this place.

Ostia Antica

Ostia Antica is less than a one hour train ride from Rome. It was a port city, with around 50,000 residents, for the Roman Empire, until the river upon which it was located changed course. At that point the city was abandoned and eventually burried. In recent times it has been excavated.

Romans burried their dead or placed the ashes of the dead outside the city limits.

Amphitheater

Ancient Roman Bath

Rome Landmarks

Rome, Italy

The Colosseum is the large stadium where the Roman Gladiators once fought 1500 years ago.

Palatine Hill or Palace Hill is the sight of many ancient palaces. It is currently an active archaeological site.

The Forum is the site of the ancient village center.

The Arch of Constantine was built in 312 to commemorate a battle.

The Arch of Titus was constructed in 82 AD to commemorate Titus' victories. This arch served as a model for many triumphal arches including the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.