William the Conqueror (Great Rulers)

I received this book (along with others in the series) as a gift when I was about 7. I must have read it 25 times. I was absolutely fascinated by the story of William the Conqueror, and I was encouraged to read more books on history & biographies. Many years later, I am now persuing a Master's in History. There's a definite connection. I can't recommend this book enough for children who already are interested in history or any child, really, that likes to read.

Ladybird history books are social history at it's best, from; I would estimate ages 8 to 14 for school use of simply to enjoy. They bring history alive for children, and are filled with fascinating information. As well as bringing alive an animated, exciting past, they also show how events of the past, are with us today, in so many fascinating ways.William the Conqueror is part of the Ladybird series on great rulers and vividly tells the story of one of the best-known figures in British history, which defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings, to become the first real King of a united England.It tells much about the times in which William lived and ruled, for young people, with the lovely illustrations by John Kenney. Kenney draws both scenes of momentous events such as William forcing the captured Harold to take an oath, that Harold would acknowledge William's claim to be the next King of England, and the Battle of Hastings, as well as scenes in the lives of ordinary people at the time, such as that of a peasant Saxon shooing a horse, while his two young children help out. It also, as all Ladybird history books do, it describes how the events described in the book influence life today, and speaks of how King William ruled England during peacetime, and the famous first census that he ordered the Domesday Book to be written, England's first census.Any child that has a love of history, will love this book, and all other Ladybird history books.