Escape from Pompeii

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It lends itself really nicely to pottery-making, mosaics, history and geography and I can’t wait to see how the children interpret this beautiful but tragic story. This book’s language is lovely in the way that it tells the story of what Ancient Rome was like based on the evidence in a way that children can understand and visualise in their heads. Kingdom of the Sun (written by Jaqueline Mitton), won the 2002 English Association Award for non-fiction.

Escape From Pompeii by Christina Balit - Downend Escape From Pompeii by Christina Balit - Downend

A massive cloud of silver ash rose to the heavens, twisting and bubbling in every direction until everything was in total darkness. This beautifully illustrated book is all about a boy and his friend who luckily escape Pompeii when Vesuvius erupted. Taking this historical event as a starting point, this story tells of Tranio, an actor's son, and his friend Livia, the baker's daughter, as they witness the destruction of their beloved city. D., lots of great opportunities for cross-curricular links as children were enquiring about the amphitheater page and the outfits illustrated.The story introduces what it was like to live in the city of Pompeii during this time and then moves on to detail the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of the city. But some people must have survived, and Christina Balit has used this as the starting-point for her story. This short picture book details the story of the city of Pompeii through the eyes of a young boy named Tranio. Heading for the harbour, Tranio and his friend Livia hide on a boat and witness one of the most terrifying moments in recorded history-the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of their beloved city, Pompeii.

Escape from Pompeii - Balit, Christina: 9781845070595 - AbeBooks Escape from Pompeii - Balit, Christina: 9781845070595 - AbeBooks

Perhaps Vesuvius remains the most well-known volcanic eruption in history among adults even today - so there could be plenty of opportunity to link with the geography and science National Curriculum on seismology, tectonic plates and geology: perhaps pupils may even have their own experiences of visiting mountainous or volcanic regions they could share, similar to those of the characters in the story. I am a great admirer of the work of author/artist Christina Balit, and have enjoyed many of her books, from the wonderful folkloric and mythological retellings she has illustrated for other authors, to her own Atlantis: The Legend of the Lost City, which she both wrote and illustrated. This is an interesting combination of fiction and non-fiction: the eruption of course genuinely happened and the remains of Ancient Roman civilisation it preserved beneath the solidified lava and ash are a major source of archaeological history for the period. Recommended to picture-book readers who enjoy historical fiction and/or stories of survival, as well as to anyone looking for supplemental titles to be used in a teaching unit on Roman history and/or Pompeii.

There is a helpful map of the region and a thorough account of Pompeii's discovery in 1748 and Fiorello's plaster-cast replication of bodies using the hollows they had left behind in the ash: Pompeii provides an engaging way for children to discover Ancient Roman life and culture, still meaningful today in Vesuvius' continued presence in Italy and the fact that it remains dormant but not extinct. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.

Escape from Pompeii by Christina Balit | Waterstones Escape from Pompeii by Christina Balit | Waterstones

For myself, I will have to see if I can track down a non-fiction children's book about this topic, that could pair well with this fictional tale. Tranio, like most Roman boys, likes to watch whatever is going on: tradesmen selling their goods, ships unloading their exotic cargoes, politicians making speeches in the forum. The book features some beautiful illustrations and some fantastic descriptive passages that make it a great book for children to analyse. History requires the story to inevitably end on a sad note, although children may find the final page depicting bodies buried underground troubling if they have had any personal experience of bereavement. There is a sweet girl, Livia, that he is introduced as his friend and they stick together throughout the book.One of the best ways to get through to a child is to tell them a personal story of somebody in the situation than to just tell them about the situation as a whole. The two of them go throughout their typical days, practicing theater and baking, which shows the reader what a typical young citizen would be doing on a daily basis.