Salariya / Book House's fantastic Non Fiction range for kids is a huge hit with us at ReadItDaddy, covering a broad range of historical subjects and periods. Charlotte finds herself drawn to the many books in the range that deal with Victorian life and on a recent museum visit, picked this one out of a book stack to buy with her own money (it's testament to how good a book series is when kids will gladly spend their hard earned pocket money on a particular range!)

In "Avoid Working in a Victorian Mill" kids are in the firing line once again, as we find out how young children were often pressed into service at their local textile factories and mills. Children as young as Charlotte would be given dangerous and hazardous tasks, expected to learn their trade quickly, and often be paid a pittance in return. Dangers such as horrible lung diseases brought on by breathing cloth fibres, or losing fingers to whirling twirling machinery were just some of the nasties to avoid.

Children's history books have been given a vital shot in the arm in recent years by things like "Horrible Histories" but this range stands out on its own merits, purely because it serves up such a great range of subjects and fascinating facts presented in detailed layouts throughout the whole book. If you have children who think history is a complete bore, turn them onto this series - they might just change their minds - and they'll certainly be glad they don't live in Victorian times.

Charlotte's best bit: Having to "Kiss" the shuttle to pull the thread through the eyelet before weaving

Daddy's Favourite bit: An utterly brilliant and engaging range, definitely worth looking into if your own children seem reluctant to engage with non-fiction stuff or history books

Book House / Salarya's brilliant history series is now one of Charlotte's favourite non fiction ranges and when we spotted one of the "Danger Zone" books in our local library, we had to nab it.

With a chance to learn all about Mary, Queen of Scots, Charlotte was wrapped up in this book from the moment we got home. Charting Mary's life from childhood right through to exile, failed marriages and enough plots and intrigue to make the average episode of Game of Thrones look like an episode of Coronation Street, this book is a fantastic and fascinating resource.

David Antram's humorous illustrations make it extremely accessible for Charlotte's age group, and this particularly turbulent period of history is fascinating to her (she has previously enjoyed Salariya's fantastic book charting the perils of being married to Henry VIII.

One of the most tragic characters in royal history, poor Mary!

Charlotte's best bit: Imagining what it would be like to become queen at such an early age

Daddy's Favourite bit: Book House / Salariya really do know how to put together a fascinating and engaging non-fiction range for kids. We must seek out more in the Danger Zone series.

History buffs rejoice! We're taking another look at the excellent "You Wouldn't Want to Be" series, this time delving back into Ancient Roman history for a closer look at Gladiators.

No, not the lycra-clad pommel-wielding TV stars, but the burly men and women who provided entertainment for the Empire, risking life and limb in the arena.

The book is humorously illustrated throughout, in a similar vein to the ever-popular "Horrible Histories" range but I actually prefer Salariya's approach, which retains the humour (and some of the gross bits) but doesn't try to be too clever for its own good, sticking to a formula of mixing fascinating facts with brilliant double-page illustrative spreads to really engage kids and put them right at the heart of the action.

We learn how Gladiators were mostly captured slaves (or in some cases, criminals) who were trained under harsh regimes, with a pretty terrible diet (Porridge with ash for pudding anyone?)

We also learn a rather fascinating fact I hadn't actually seen reproduced anywhere else. There were female gladiators, a prospect that filled Charlotte with glee at the thought of donning a helmet and brandishing a trident in mortal combat. Perhaps that'll be something for the next school history day.

If you're unfamiliar with the Salariya history range, check out our previous article neatly rounding up a few more of these fascinating titles.

Charlotte's best bit: The thought of being the world's first 6 year old female gladiator! (Someone hide the saucepans in case she pinches one for use as a helmet!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: A fascinating glimpse of roman life, literally at the sharp end of providing entertainment for the roman masses!

Salariya contacted us to let us know about their fabulous range of history books aimed at young children. "You Wouldn't Want to Be..." is the range title, with a huge selection of diverse subjects covered. With similarities to the "Horrible Histories" and "Tony Robinson's Weird World" books, Salariya's range is presented in a larger format book with rich colourful illustrations, making them instantly engaging and attractive to Charlotte's age group (5-6 year olds) and beyond.

Fancy a mummified pet to keep you company in the afterlife? "You Wouldn't Want to Be an Egyptian Mummy"

We took a look at the following books:

"You Wouldn't Want To Be an Egyptian Mummy"

"You Wouldn't Want To Be a Victorian Schoolchild"

"You Wouldn't Want to be Married to King Henry VIII" (too right we wouldn't!)

"You Wouldn't Want to be a Viking Explorer"

"You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Miner"

We're complete history nuts at home and we've passed on a bit of our love of history to Charlotte through visiting museums and taking a look at other non-fiction ranges from various publishers. Salariya's range presents facts in a brilliantly fun way and these have been a real hit.

Learning your times tables in "You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Schoolchild"

Charlotte was inspired to make her own Mummy...so one rainy sunday we got busy with a willing volunteer (Bad Burglar Barbie) and some old scraps of material...

Step by step, Barbie is about to be mummified!

Hey, why doesn't this look like the picture? Help Daddy!

Ahh, we need to bind the linen tighter. I see!

Almost there...

Time to add some heiroglyphics to the tomb. Robbers beware!

Barbie is now ready for the afterlife! Charlotte also drew Hapy (her favourite Egyptian god) and a stark warning of impalement for any would-be tomb robbers. Eek!

We have to admit we really loved "You Wouldn't Want to be an Egyptian" but the whole range is fantastic and well worth taking a look at if your children are a bit too young for the Horrible Histories range, and prefer more colourful and illustrated non fiction books. I particularly liked "You Wouldn't Want to be a Victorian Schoolchild" and Charlotte asking if I ever got the cane at school (I did, unfortunately, I'm old enough to remember when a thwack across the bottom was considered a just punishment. Owch!)

Various historians and authors produce a tantalising set of fascinating facts, and Dave Antram's illustrations throughout each of the titles are absolutely brilliant fun.

We're looking forward to the rest of the range (including an upcoming World War 1 based title called "You Wouldn't Want to be in the Trenches in World War 1").

You can take a look at the whole range via Salariya / Book House's website here. 

Charlotte's best bit: Creating her own Egyptian Mummy (with a handy spare Barbie Doll and some bandages!)

Daddy's Favourite bit: An utterly fantastic range full of facts and fascination, without an over-reliance on gross-out bits to keep children hooked. Beautifully presented and illustrated, and a great format for little hands

(Kindly sent to us for review by Salariya / Book House)