Scottish History: books for children
It is relatively easy to find books on particular individuals in Scottish history, or on isolated episodes such as the Scottish Wars of Independence. I have found it harder to find good children’s resources for studying larger periods of Scottish history.
I have organised my suggestions for Scottish history resources into three articles. First, possible books for use as a ‘spine’ or main resource for studying Scottish history. Second, a chronological overview of Scottish history books for children. Thirdly, some series, authors and publishers to look out for:
- Main resources for studying Scottish history with children (this post)
- Chronological overview of Scottish history books for children
- Scottish history for children: some authors and series to look out for
Scottish history books for children are thin on the ground. If you have enjoyed any that are not on this list, please let me know in the comments section!
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1. Overall Scottish history resources or ‘spines’
Scotland’s Story
H.E. Marshall
H.E. Marshall is most famous for her book Our Island Story, a history of Britain for children, which focusses almost exclusively on the southern portion of the island. In this book Scotland’s Story, she remedies this by focussing on Scotland’s history from the earliest times until roughly George IV. If you are looking for a narrative-style history of Scotland that is suitable for children, this is the only volume I am currently aware of. However, it is very much of its time (1906) and there are a number of points which the potential reader should be aware of.
Firstly, the earliest portions of the book (and indeed some later portions) stray very much into myth rather than history, and this is not always clarified in the text. The first chapter of the book covers the story of the Greek prince Gathelus, and ends with the following words:
Some people think that this story of Prince Gathelus is a fairy tale. But this at least is true, that in far off days when people spoke of Scotia, they meant Ireland, and when they spoke of Scots, they meant the people who lived in Ireland, and Scotland took its name from the people who came from Ireland and settled in Scotland.
Whilst reading the chapter aloud, I had found myself clarifying at several points that this was myth rather than history, and I was rather frustrated that she chose not to explain this until the end of the chapter. Others might be less bothered by this!
Secondly, this book takes a ‘great man’ view of history, and Marshall is far from opposed to making sweeping moral judgements on the rights and wrongs of particular historic events, some of which I agreed with more than others. You will find very little ‘social history’ in this book. Marshall’s history books are parodied in the famous comic work 1066 and All That. All kings are either ‘good’ or ‘bad’, and come in a confusing long list. We found it very hard to keep track of the Scottish medieval kings. This is not really Marshall’s fault; it is complicated and one king can seem very much like another! But we grew rather tired of the middle of the book.
Thirdly, the book ends after Culloden, so you will need to find other resources if you wish to study Scotland specifically after this time. Scotland’s Story may be a struggle for those of more nationalist inclinations. The final page contains the following words, which are indicative of the general tone of the book:
And here I think I must end, for Scotland has no more story of her own – her story is Britain’s story.
This all perhaps sounds rather negative. I would use this book again, in the absence of anything else, but I would be more selective in which parts I chose to read rather than slogging through every chapter.
The History of Scotland for Children
Fiona MacDonald
This is a more typical children’s non-fiction book, though quite substantial. The book is arranged broadly chronologically with sections on Ancient Scotland, Birth of a Nation, Steward Scotland, North Britain, Modern Scotland and Famous Scots. Within each section, each double page spread covers a particular theme. There are plenty of colour drawings and photographs.
I found this book helpful for planning a program of study with children, and read out specific pages where I wanted to cover a point, but not in much detail, or where there was no specific book available. For example, the growth of schools and universities in Scotland. There is much more detail here on the lives of ordinary people, the growth of towns and burghs, and the development of industry.
