The Story of the First World War for Children

The Story of the First World War for Children – AD sent for review and giveaway

You may recall that we recently reviewed The Story of the First World War for Children.  I was so impressed with this book that I was eager to complete the set with The Story of the First World War for Children.  I think it’s really important for my nine-year old son to know about the sacrifices of previous generations and to know how his own family were involved.  With last year’s centenary of the end of WWI he has a good understanding of our history within the war, but this book will provide a very useful resource in the years ahead.

The Story of the First World War for Children

It’s hard for any of us to contemplate a war where over 20 million people were killed, and so many families lost those they loved.  I’ve written before about my own family, my grandfather who was one of the first to enlist and saw service in France throughout the war, and is older brother who died very shortly after arriving in France.  It was a brutal war in so many ways.

The Story of the First World War for Children guides children through the war from start to finish using bite size chunks of information, diagrams and maps, as well as photographs.  It’s an ideal way to show KS2 children how and why the war broke out, and the chain of events that caused so much destruction over a four-year period.

We’re very lucky to have a photograph of my grandfather in his army uniform and the book explains what was worn and why.  In reality they really were so poorly equipped for the first war seeing modern warfare.  It’s hard to believe that it took two years for steel helmets to be introduced in the trenches.

The Story of the First World War for Children

The Story of the First World War for Children

There are fascinating facts throughout the book and footage from the time really brings the history to life.

The Story of the First World War for Children

As well as talking about our own troops, The Story of the First World War for Children gives children an understanding of both the French and Germany armies, what they wore and the part they played in the conflict. we had no idea that German Stormtroopers used flame throwers during the war.

The Story of the First World War for Children

The war wasn’t just fought on land, and the book covers loses at sea and in the air including those of the submarines used at that time.

The First World War saw chemical warfare being used for the first time with horrific consequences to both sides. In fact, when we read this book for the first time, we might have stumbled up how my Great Uncle died.  He was killed at the start of the Battle of Loos, I’d always assumed he’d been shot, but maybe he was one of the many who succumbed to the gas.  Tragic.

The Story of the First World War for Children

For those like my son who are obsessed with tanks, the book looks at the very first ones used in battle and talks about how they moved from being troop carriers to playing a major part in offences.

The Story of the First World War for Children

My son hadn’t realised that the war was fought outside of Europe, so he enjoyed learning about the war in the desert too.

The Story of the First World War for Children

The Story of the First World War for Children is a fascinating read that has really engaged my son and left him wanting to know more about his relatives.  It’s definitely worth reading and I know we’ll be making use of it in the future at school.

The Story of the First World War for Children is available to purchase from Carlton Books.  You might also be interested to know that Carlton Books also sell the IWM The Story of the Second World War for Children.

disclosure:  we were sent the item mentioned in exchange for an honest review.


I’ve teamed up with Carlton Books to offer one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of IWM The Story of the First World War for Children worth £9.99.  Complete the Gleam form below for your chance to win.  Good luck!

Terms and conditions:

(Please note that all entries will be checked against comments for validation).

Only the first step of this form is mandatory, all other steps are optional. Only one entry per person is allowed.

This giveaway is for UK residents only.

Once a winner is randomly picked, I will check if the winner has done what was requested and I will contact them, if they do not reply within one week, the prize will be allocated to another person.  The winner’s details will be sent to Carlton Books in order that they can arrange delivery.  Please allow 28 days for delivery.

The giveaway will close on 17th April 2019 at midnight.

Don’t forget to visit my Giveaways page for more great prizes on offer!

IWM The Story of the First World War for Children worth £9.99

109 thoughts on “The Story of the First World War for Children – AD sent for review and giveaway

  1. I don’t know, I don’t know my family history beyond that my grandad served in the second world war.

  2. Yes my great grandad was in WWI. He’s been gone a long time now but still remember the old shell he had as a brolly and stick holder near his door.

  3. I don’t actually know about WW1 but I expect so. Both grandfather’s served in the second world war

  4. No, and now I’m thinking that I’ll have to ask my mum why neither of her grandads served xx

  5. My grandad did – but unfortunately I don’t know much about if – It was something that really wasn’t discussed.

  6. No, but I’d love to win so my children could read about all the heroic people who did

  7. Not that I ever knew, though I know my mum’s great uncle fought in the trenches and was very affected by it.

  8. Yes, I come from a large military family with four generations of soldiers and sailors…several members of my family, including my great uncles and grandfathers fought in WW1

  9. My grandfather was gassed in WW1 and when he was in hospital recovering from having his kidney removed after this, he met my grandmother who was a nurse.

  10. My great uncle served and I believe he was in Asia at one point; I must look into it more.

  11. I’m not sure. I keep meaning to look into my history to find all this stuff out but the kids keep interfering with my time to do it!

  12. I’m sure they must have but I’m not sure of the details. My grandads were both in ww2 though.

  13. I am unaware of family involvement in WWI but had lots of involvement in WWII, as well as my grandparents working in protected jobs during WWII to feed the nation (farming and fishing industries)

  14. No I don’t believe so because my Grandad would have been in Ireland and my paternal Grandfather in Iran. My Grandmas were in Iran and Scotland respectively so they are all spread apart!

  15. Not that I know of. I believe most of them were farm workers. My uncle fought in World War II and was a japanese prisoner of war. When my Dad retired he wrote local history books about World War II. He thought it was so important to make sure that these events were remembered

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