Humorous illustrations, captions, and sidebars describe the horrible conditions inside a medieval castle that the servants and others endured.

You’re a country girl in 13th-century England and there’s trouble ahead. The year is 1215 and King John is in a power struggle with his barons, lords of Norman-French descent. The king has been forced to sign an agreement with the barons – the Magna Carta – which gives them the right to overrule the king. But John shows no sign of sticking to the agreement. When some of the angry barons rebel, you find yourself caught up in a terrible siege. This title in the best-selling children’s history series, You Wouldn't Want To…, features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail and a narrative approach placing readers at the centre of the history, encouraging them to become emotionally-involved with the characters and aiding their understanding of what life would have been like in a medieval castle. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of information books for young readers. It is an ideal text for Key Stage 2 shared and guided reading and helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

Got a warm heart and a weak stomach? Then you probably wouldn't want to be a servant in a medieval castle, where the rooms are always stone cold - unless it's your castle - and the next revolt could leave you mopping up a bloody mess and piles of dead bodies.

Top tips from experts: Know your place - that's the golden rule of medieval life ; Watch your manners as politeness is valued in medieval society ; Learning a trade is hard work, but definitely worth it ; If you're not going on Crusade, make a will as you may not come back ; Stay out of trouble as a medieval prison is the worst place you can imagine.

You are a hunter following the trail of mammoths as they cross a vast, treeless wilderness. You camp where your people have always sheltered. You leave your mark on the walls of caves. You fight your enemies. You kill mammoths. Life is hard and can be short. If you are brave and strong, you will be successful. If you are not, then you wouldn’t want to be an Ice Age mammoth hunter! This title in the best-selling children’s history series, You Wouldn't Want To…, features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail and a narrative approach placing readers at the centre of the history, encouraging them to become emotionally-involved with the characters and aiding their understanding of what life would have been like as a Stone Age mammoth hunter. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of information books for young readers. It is an ideal text for Key Stage 2 shared and guided reading and helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.

This series of hilarious fictional diaries put us inside the heads of hapless figures from history in frazzling situations. Robert, a boy living in Southwark in early 17th century London, finds himself employed as an actor in the Globe theatre, playing roles written by the greatest playwright of the age: William Shakespeare. But when the coronation of a new king, James I, threatens the future of the theatre, Robert has to come up with a cunning plan to save the company. If he doesn’t succeed, Robert will have to go back to collecting dog poo for a living. ‘Get Real’ fact boxes feature throughout, providing historical context and further information, as well as a timeline, historical biographies and a glossary in the end matter.

It is 1577 and Francis Drake, the Queen of England’s favourite adventurer, has been ordered to command a new expedition leaving from Plymouth. Drake has appointed you, Francis Fletcher, as Chaplain on the expedition. You believe you are off on a trading trip to Alexandria in Egypt, but Drake’s expedition has another purpose. Where will this voyage take you? This title in the best-selling children’s history series, You Wouldn't Want To…, features full-colour illustrations which combine humour and accurate technical detail and a narrative approach placing readers at the centre of the history, encouraging them to become emotionally-involved with the characters and aiding their understanding of what life would have been like sailing with Francis Drake. Informative captions, a complete glossary and an index make this title an ideal introduction to the conventions of information books for young readers. It is an ideal text for Key Stage 2 shared and guided reading and helps achieve the goals of the Scottish Standard Curriculum 5-14.