Why British History Matters for KS1
The National Curriculum requires children to learn about "significant historical events, people and places in their own locality" and "events beyond living memory that are significant nationally or globally."
But here's the challenge: most history books for this age are either too dry (non-fiction fact books) or too American (Disney retellings, US-focused heroes).
This list focuses on:
- British settings, events, and heroes — from Magna Carta to the Royal Navy
- Story-driven — fiction and narrative non-fiction that makes history feel real
- Age-appropriate — no gore, no politics, just good values from real history
- KS1 curriculum links — supports British Values, National Curriculum History, PSHE
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📜 Medieval Britain & Magna Carta (1066-1500)
1. The Story of Britain (Part 1: From the Norman Conquest to Elizabeth I)
by Patrick Dillon, illustrated by P.J. Lynch
Sweeping narrative covering 500 years of British history. Begins with 1066 and the Norman Conquest, moves through the Magna Carta, the Black Death, and ends with Elizabeth I.
Why it works: Gorgeous illustrations, story-driven rather than fact-list format, connects events to real people's lives.
2. Usborne Peep Inside: A Castle
by Anna Milbourne, illustrated by Caterina Alvarez
Lift-the-flap book exploring life in a medieval British castle. Shows knights, feasts, dungeons, and daily life for children 500 years ago.
Why it works: Interactive, perfect for Year 1, shows British castle architecture, sparks curiosity about medieval life.
3. The Adventures of Robin Hood
by Marcia Williams
Comic-strip style retelling of the Robin Hood legend. Set in Sherwood Forest, Nottingham, and medieval England.
Why it works: Accessible format for emerging readers, teaches about injustice and standing up for fairness (links to Magna Carta values).
🏴 Tudor Britain (1485-1603)
4. Elizabeth I and Her Conquests
by Tom Moorhouse (Little People, Big Dreams series)
Picture book biography of Elizabeth I. Shows her childhood, her education, and how she became one of Britain's greatest monarchs.
Why it works: Strong female role model, shows persistence and intelligence, links to British identity and the Armada.
5. Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story
by Ellen Levine, illustrated by Kadir Nelson
While set in America, this book about slavery connects to British history through the Royal Navy's role in ending the slave trade.
Why it works: Use it alongside teaching about the Royal Navy and Britain's role in the abolitionist movement (links to modern British Values: freedom and dignity).
🚂 Victorian Britain & Empire (1837-1901)
6. Isambard Kingdom Brunel
by Tom Moorhouse (Little People, Big Dreams series)
Picture book biography of Britain's greatest engineer. Shows the Thames Tunnel, the Great Western Railway, and the SS Great Britain.
Why it works: Perfect for teaching about innovation, persistence, and British industrial heritage. KS1-friendly.
7. Florence Nightingale
by Katie Daynes (Usborne Little People, Big Dreams)
Picture book about the founder of modern nursing. Shows her work during the Crimean War and her transformation of hospitals.
Why it works: Strong female role model, teaches about compassion and changing systems, links to the NHS.
8. The Street Beneath My Feet
by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Yuval Zommer
Fold-out book showing what's under London's streets — Victorian sewers, the Tube, Roman ruins.
Why it works: Shows British engineering history (Bazalgette's sewers), connects past to present, highly visual.
9. Oliver and the Seawigs
by Philip Reeve and Sarah McIntyre
Adventure story set on a Victorian-inspired island. While fiction, the illustrations and setting evoke British maritime heritage.
Why it works: Accessible chapter book for Year 2, British authors, evokes exploration and maritime adventure (links to Royal Navy history).
✈️ World War II & the Blitz (1939-1945)
10. Winston Churchill
by Tom Moorhouse (Little People, Big Dreams series)
Picture book biography focusing on Churchill's childhood stammer, his "wilderness years," and his leadership during WWII.
Why it works: Shows courage, speaking up, and persistence. Age-appropriate without graphic war details.
11. Letters from the Lighthouse
by Emma Carroll
Chapter book about a girl evacuated to Devon during the Blitz. Historical fiction with real historical details.
Why it works: Year 2 readers love this — shows British resilience, child's-eye view of WWII, not too scary.
12. Goodnight Mister Tom
by Michelle Magorian
Classic story of an evacuee in the British countryside during WWII.
Why it works: Gentle introduction to WWII home front, shows kindness and community (British Values link).
13. The Diary of a Young Girl (illustrated edition)
by Anne Frank
While Anne was in Amsterdam, her story connects to British WWII history and values of tolerance.
Why it works: Use for Year 2 — teaches about courage, hiding, and why Britain fought (British Values: tolerance, respect).
🇬🇧 What About New Stories Inspired by British Heroes?
Most books in this list are either biographies (Little People, Big Dreams) or historical fiction set in the past (Letters from the Lighthouse).
But what if you want modern stories where today's children face challenges inspired by historical British heroes?
That's where Proud Books comes in:
- Tomorrow's Rules — A modern story about fairness, inspired by the Magna Carta (800 years of rules that work for everyone)
- The Girl Who Wouldn't Shut Up — A modern story about courage, inspired by Churchill (speaking up when standing alone)
- The Collection Jar — A modern story about using strength to protect others, inspired by the Royal Navy's fight against the slave trade
Not retellings. Not history lessons. New narratives inspired by real British heroes.
Learn more and read free sample chapters →
🏛️ Ancient Britain (Stone Age to Romans)
14. Stone Age Boy
by Satoshi Kitamura
A boy falls through a hole and finds himself in Stone Age Britain. Shows daily life, hunting, cave painting.
Why it works: Perfect for KS1 "Changes in Britain from Stone Age to Iron Age" curriculum. Child protagonist.
15. The Story of the Iron Age
by Lesley Sims (Usborne Young Reading)
Narrative non-fiction about life in Iron Age Britain — hill forts, druids, Roman invasion.
Why it works: Accessible for Year 2, British-specific (not general ancient history), supports KS1 history objectives.
16. Roman Britain (Usborne Beginners)
by Leonie Pratt
Explains what Britain was like under Roman rule — roads, baths, Hadrian's Wall, Boudicca's rebellion.
Why it works: Shows British resistance (Boudicca) and Roman influence on modern Britain (roads, towns).
🏴 British Symbols & Heritage
17. The Queen's Hat
by Steve Antony
The Queen's hat blows away and she chases it across London — past Big Ben, the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace.
Why it works: Tour of British landmarks, fun story, perfect for Year 1, sparks conversations about British symbols.
18. This is Britain
by Miroslav Sasek
Vintage-style illustrated tour of Britain — London, Scotland, Wales, English countryside.
Why it works: Celebrates British diversity (England, Scotland, Wales), shows landmarks and culture.
19. The Tower and the Bridge
by Laura Imai Messina
The Tower of London and Tower Bridge become friends. Shows British landmarks with personality.
Why it works: Makes British heritage accessible and fun, perfect for Year 1, teaches about London's history.
🎶 British Culture & Traditions
20. The Lion and the Unicorn
by Shirley Hughes
WWII evacuee story focusing on a toy lion and unicorn. Links to British coat of arms symbols.
Why it works: Beautiful illustrations, gentle WWII introduction, explains British symbols (lion = England, unicorn = Scotland).
21. The Gruffalo
by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
While not explicitly about British history, it's a British classic featuring a British woodland setting.
Why it works: British authors, British setting (deep dark wood), teaches about cleverness and courage.
22. The Queen's Knickers
by Nicholas Allan
Humorous picture book about what knickers the Queen wears for different occasions.
Why it works: Makes British royalty accessible and funny, perfect for Year 1, sparks interest in British traditions.
🎨 British Scientists & Inventors
23. Ada Twist, Scientist
by Andrea Beaty, illustrated by David Roberts
While American, this book connects to Ada Lovelace (British mathematician and computing pioneer).
Why it works: Use it alongside teaching about Ada Lovelace — shows scientific thinking, curiosity, British STEM heritage.
24. Ada Lovelace (Little People, Big Dreams)
by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara
Picture book biography of the world's first computer programmer.
Why it works: Strong female STEM role model, British heritage, shows how one person can change the world (British Values: innovation).
25. The Secret Garden
by Frances Hodgson Burnett (KS1-adapted version)
Classic British story set on the Yorkshire moors. Mary Lennox transforms a neglected garden and herself.
Why it works: British setting, teaches about nature, transformation, and kindness. Available in simplified versions for Year 2.
⚓ British Maritime History
26. The Pirates Next Door
by Jonny Duddle
A pirate family moves into a quiet seaside town. British coastal setting, adventure, and acceptance.
Why it works: British coastal heritage, teaches about tolerance (British Values), links to Britain's maritime past.
27. Katie and the British Artists
by James Mayhew
Katie visits a gallery and steps into paintings by Turner, Constable, and other British artists.
Why it works: Introduces British art, shows British landscapes (Turner's seascapes), perfect for cross-curricular art/history work.
🏴 Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland
28. The Gruffalo's Child
by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler
Set in a British woodland, features Scottish dialect in some editions.
Why it works: British setting, teaches about bravery and following rules, Scottish cultural links.
29. The Naughtiest Girl in the School
by Enid Blyton
Classic British boarding school story. Elizabeth Allen learns about fairness, rules, and community.
Why it works: British school setting, teaches about democracy and fairness (students run a "school meeting" like Parliament).
30. The Tale of Peter Rabbit
by Beatrix Potter
Classic British tale set in the Lake District. Peter disobeys his mother and gets into trouble in Mr. McGregor's garden.
Why it works: British author, British setting, teaches about consequences and family. Perfect for Year 1.
Ready to Bring British Heritage to Life?
These 30 books are a brilliant start — but they're just the beginning.
If you're looking for NEW stories where modern children learn from British heroes, check out Proud Books.
Read Free Sample Chapters
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