Shows
History Storytime - For KidsThe Fall of the Roman Republic: The Rise of AugustusSophie (age 9) and Ellie (age 7) tell the story of how the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.
2000 years ago Rome was in chaos. The great Roman general Julius Caesar had been murdered. He was stabbed to death by nobles, including his friend, Brutus. They had believed he wanted to make himself King. They did not want to be ruled by a King.
The murderers of Caesar were delighted with themselves. They thought they had saved Rome. However, Julius Caesar’s friends were furious. One of his friends was called Mark Antony. He...2022-07-2507 minHistory Storytime - For KidsFall of the Roman Republic: The Death of CaesarSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the Fall of the Roman Republic up to the death of Julius Caesar.----more----
2000 years ago Rome was a mighty empire. It used to have Kings. However, the people of Rome decided that the Kings were cruel so they got rid them. After that they chose their rulers by elections. They promised to never have a King again.
Rome got more powerful. Her mighty armies conquered other countries because they were very disciplined. At first the Roman farmers would also be soldiers and then go...2022-04-2509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Siege of Vienna of 1683Sophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the siege of Vienna from 1683. This was one of the most important battles and sieges in history.
----more----The mighty Ottoman Empire had conquered the old Eastern Roman Empire and the great city of Constantinople. It ruled a massive area in the middle east, Turkey and the Balkans.
In Europe it faced the Holy Roman Empire whose capital was in Vienna.
350 years ago the Ottomans decided to attack Vienna. They assembled a mighty army. Vienna was poorly defended. Its walls were old...2022-04-1109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe History of UkraineSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) have been following the news about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. They decide to tell the story of the History of Ukraine going back over a 1000 years.
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Their story starts with the Vikings. A thousand years ago Viking explorers left Scandinavia. Many of them went West and attacked England and France. Some even found America. Others went East and began exploring the huge rivers in what is now Russia. Eventually they found a town on a hill by a river. They attacked the town and took it for themselves. They called...2022-03-0710 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Wars of the RosesSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the Wars of the Roses. This was the civil war between the House of York and the House of Lancaster that was fought in the time of knights and castles to see who would rule England.----more----
600 years ago two families had a claim to the throne of England: the Lancastrians and the Yorkists. They were powerful noble families. They each had a banner with a Rose on it. The Lancastrians had a red rose; the Yorkists had a white rose. At first the Lancastrians were more powerful...2022-02-1410 minHistory Storytime - For KidsGenghis KhanSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of Genghis Khan.----more----
Genghis Khan was born 800 years ago in Mongolia. Except he was not called Genghis Khan then. His name was Temujin. He was the son of a chief of a small tribe. His father was poisoned and Temujin and his tribe had to flee. Life was hard growing up. Already though, Temujin was proving to be a fierce fighter. When he brother stole some food, Temujin killed him.
Then Temujin married a wife from another tribe called Borte. Together the tribes were stronger...2022-01-2409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsCaptain Cook and the European Discovery of Australia, New Zealand and HawaiiSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the great explorer Captain Cook who was the first European to discover Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii.----more----
Before we even start our episode Sophie and Ellie point out that there were already people living there who did not need to be discovered as they had their own cultures, languages and homes. However, we decide to tell the story anyway as Captain Cook was still a great explorer
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James Cook was born 300 years ago in Britain. Britain was a powerful country who got rich through trading...2022-01-1009 minHistory Storytime - For KidsHistory of the Christmas CarolSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the history of the Christmas Carol.
Songs used to be sung by pagans thousands of years ago to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Christmas was at the same time as the Winter Solstice so the Church carried on with the singing but instead made the songs about Christmas.
The first Christmas Carol we know of was from 2000 years ago and was called the Angels Hymn. All the early carols were in Latin and over time people stopped speaking Latin – and they stopped singing the Latin carols.2021-12-2006 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWorld War Two - BlitzkriegSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of Blitzkrieg – how the Germans used tanks to conquer much of Europe at the start of World War Two.
In World War One Britain invented the tank. America, Russia and Britain used tanks to defeat Germany. However, after the war people in those countries did not want to fight any more wars. They made their armies small. They also decided to defend in the future not to attack. The French built a line of forts for defence. They did not have many tanks and those they did have they us...2021-12-0609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Invention of the TankSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the invention of the Tank.----more----
At the outbreak of World War One, armies had infantry, artillery and cavalry. Many of the general had been in the cavalry themselves. However, once war started everyone realized that cavalry was not going to be very useful in this war. Machine guns fired bullets so fast that the cavalry were shot dead before they could finish their charge. The war soon became trench warfare as soldiers dug trenches to keep safe from the bullets. You couldn’t put a horse in a tr...2021-11-2908 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe History of Pollution and Saving the PlanetSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) have been learning about Climate Change at school as part of the COP conference. They have made a podcast about the history of pollution and saving the planet.----more----
Our story starts 800 years ago. Edward I was King of England. Coal was discovered in Newcastle and many London homes started using it to keep their houses warm. However, it made the city very smokey. The King’s mother thought it was so smokey that she left the town. The King decided to act. He banned people from using coal for their fires to tr...2021-11-2208 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Fall of ConstantinopleSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. Constantinople was all that was left of the once mighty Roman Empire. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, 1500 years ago, the Eastern Roman Empire survived. Its capital was Constantinople. Over time though it became known as the Byzantine Empire. Constantinople was a might city. It had 500,000 people living there and huge walls to protect it.
Then came Islam. People who follow Islam are called Muslims. They conquered much of the Byzantine Empire. Other Christians came to help. This was...2021-11-1510 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Tomb of the Unknown WarriorSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in the week of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.----more----
World War One had been a terrible war. Millions had been killed by machine guns and explosions. The fighting was so terrible that many of the bodies were never found. Back in Britain that meant is was difficult for people to properly grieve.
It was decided to bury one unknown soldier in Britain to represent everyone who had died. That way everyone would have a place to go...2021-11-0809 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe AztecsSophie (age 8) and Ellie (age 6) tell the story of the mighty Aztec Empire.----more----
The Aztecs ruled central America for hundreds of years. They conquered it from other countries. They were fierce warriors. Their capital was called Tenochtitlan. This is now the capital of Mexico. Back then it was an island on a lake. It had gleaming white palaces and Pyramids with temples on the tops of them.
Religion was very important to the Aztecs. They practiced human sacrifice. This is where they would kill people to make the Gods happy. They used...2021-11-0108 minHistory Storytime - For KidsHallowe‘en Special: Ghosts in HistorySophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) celebrate Hallowe’en by telling Ghost stories from history.----more----
They start with stories from ancient times. They tell how Odysseus went down to the underworld after winning the siege of Troy and met with ghosts. Aeneas, a Trojan prince, was fleeing Troy. He also visited the underworld and met with ghosts. The Romans loved ghost stories and lots of their stories have survived, including a spooky one about a haunted house with a ghost wrapped in chains.
The Arabs also loved their ghost stories. The fam...2021-10-2509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe History of the PoliceSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the History of the Police.----more----
The first police were in Ancient Egypt. They were used to guard markets and temples. They had sticks to beat criminals with. They also used animals to help. They had trained monkeys and dogs who helped them catch baddies.
In Ancient Greece they also had police. Every city was different. In Athens they used special slaves as police to keep order during meetings.
We get the word Police from the Greek word “Polis” which mean...2021-10-1809 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Cold WarSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Cold War.----more----
At the end of World War Two the Soviet Union (the old name for Russia) and the United States of America were suspicious of each other. The Soviet Union would not let their newly conquered lands in Eastern Europe be free. They also would not disband their armies.
This worried the capitalist and democratic countries of what we call the West. They agreed to protect each other.
The Americans had nuclear weapons which the Soviets did...2021-10-1109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsNapoleon‘s March on Moscow in 1812Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Napoleon’s disastrous march on Moscow in 1812.
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Napoleon was the Emperor of the French and at the height of his powers. He controlled almost all of Europe. Only Britain, Spain and Portugal defied him. Napoleon was obsessed with Britain. He decided that he could make her poor by stopping other countries from buying things from Britain. He forced everyone in Europe to stop buying from Britain. Except Russia. Russia was a huge and powerful country. Their ruler was called the Tsar. He was not afraid of Na...2021-10-0410 minHistory Storytime - For KidsGruesome Executions in HistorySophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of gruesome executions from history – feeding Christians to the lions, the punishment of the sack, decimation of soldiers and more.
We start with the punishment of the sack. Romans kept this punishment for people who killed their father. They would put the person inside a large sack. Then they would put a live monkey, a snake, a dog and a rooster in the sack too. The sack was tied up with everyone inside. They it was thrown into the river so that everyone drowned.
...2021-09-2708 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWorld War Two - The Eastern FrontSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Eastern Front in World War Two between Germany and the Soviet Union.
Hitler and his Nazis rule Germany. Stalin and his Communists rule the Soviet Union. They hate each other. Hitler decides to invade the Soviet Union and conquer it. The Soviet Union is huge and has many people in it. However, it is poor and its army is old fashioned. The Germans have invented a new way of fighting battles with tanks and airplanes. It called Blitzkrieg which means Lightning War.
2021-09-2009 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Peasants‘ RevoltSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.
----more----It is a troubled time for England. The Black Death has devastated Europe. There are not enough people to work the fields. The poor people, who are called the peasants, want more money from the rich people as there are not enough workers. The rich people say no. England is at war with France and is running out of money. The government decide to raise taxes. Instead of just taxing rich people, the government decide to tax everyone – even the poor people. At first the taxe...2021-09-1308 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMarie AntoinetteSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Marie Antoinette.----more----
Marie Antoinette was an Austrian Princess. She grew up in Austria in a palace. She met the famous composer Mozart when they were both children. She learned to play the piano, the flute and the Harp. She loved to dance and to sing.
When she was 15 it was decided that she should marry the next King of France. He was called Louis – almost all French Kings are called Louis. Traditionally, Austria and France were enemies. However, both countries wanted to be at...2021-09-0609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWhy did World War Two start?Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of why and how World War Two started.----more----
Germany was divided into many different countries by slowly one country called Prussia either conquered the other countries or persuaded the little Germany countries to join them. Germany had been created through fighting and this made some Germans think that conquering other countries was normal. However, while Germany was becoming one country, other countries were also getting bigger. Britain and France were building might Empires. America was exploring the West. Russia was conquering much of Asia. Germany was powerful in Europe...2021-08-3009 min
History StorytimeWhy did World War Two start?Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of why and how World War Two started.----more----Germany was divided into many different countries by slowly one country called Prussia either conquered the other countries or persuaded the little Germany countries to join them. Germany had been created through fighting and this made some Germans think that conquering other countries was normal. However, while Germany was becoming one country, other countries were also getting bigger. Britain and France were building might Empires. America was exploring the West. Russia was conquering much of Asia. Germany was powerful in Europe but...2021-08-3009 minHistory Storytime - For KidsDisaster in Afghanistan: The First Afghan War of 1839Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the First Afghan War of 1839, where the British invaded Afghanistan and were forced into a disastrous retreat from Kabul.
----more----In 1839 the British controlled India. They had built a mighty Empire. However, the Russians were also building a mighty Empire in Asia. The British worried that a Russian army might invade India. In between Russia and India was Afghanistan.
Then the Afghans got a new king called Dost Mohammed. The British were worried he would be too friendly to the Russians. They decided to invade and replace him...2021-08-2310 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Hundred Years' WarSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.----more----
This is a time of knights and castles. William the Conqueror had come from France to conquer England. This meant that English Kings now owned land in France. The lost some in battle, but gained other parts through marriage – especially the lands of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Often English Kings would be married to French princesses to help keep the peace between the two lands. However, when the French King died the next in line to the throne was the King of E...2021-08-1610 minHistory StorytimeThe Hundred Years' WarSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Hundred Years’ War between England and France.----more----This is a time of knights and castles. William the Conqueror had come from France to conquer England. This meant that English Kings now owned land in France. The lost some in battle, but gained other parts through marriage – especially the lands of Eleanor of Aquitaine. Often English Kings would be married to French princesses to help keep the peace between the two lands. However, when the French King died the next in line to the throne was the King of Engl...2021-08-1610 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe History of FlightSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) decide to tell the history of flight.
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We start off with legendary tales of flight like the story of Icarus. Icarus and his father need to escape a castle. They build some wings out of feathers and wax and flap them to escape the castle. They start flying but then Icarus flies too high. As he gets close to the sun his wax melts and his wings fall off. He falls to the ground with a splat.
This story actually tells us a lot about...2021-08-0908 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Modern Olympic GamesSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the history of the modern Olympic Games. After last weeks episode on the Ancient Olympic games the girls want to bring the story up to date.----more----
Greece was conquered and the Olympics seemed forgotten for 1,500 years. However, after Greece fought and won her freedom again, people wanted to remember all the amazing things that the Greeks had done. This was science and maths, myths and legends. It was also the Olympic games.
A Frenchman called Pierre Coubertin loved that in Britain they were doing lots...2021-08-0209 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Ancient Olympic GamesSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Ancient Olympic Games.----more----
With the modern Olympic games starting this week. Sophie and Ellie decide to tell the story of how 3000 years ago the Greeks invented the first Olympic Games. Next week they will tell the story of the modern Olympic games
3000 years ago Greece was not one country. The Greeks lived in different cities which all ruled themselves. However, they all worshipped the same Gods, spoke the same language and competed together in the Olympic Games. The first Olympic games were held in...2021-07-2609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Vikings' Discovery of AmericaSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the history of the Vikings' discovery of the Americas – hundreds of years before Columbus.----more----
A thousand years ago the Vikings were fierce fighters and brave explorers. They had already discovered and settled in Iceland. One of them was called Erik the Red. After his enslaved people cause a landslide a neighbour kills them out of revenge. In revenge Erik kills his neighbours. He is forced to leave Iceland for three years as a punishment. He decided to explore westwards. He sailed until he found a land which he called Greenland so...2021-07-1909 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe History of FootballSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the History of Football. But before they start they tell everyone the wonderful news that History Storytime won Silver in the British Podcast Awards!----more----
The history of Football starts thousands of years ago in China. The Chinese played a game very like football today. There were two teams and they scored by kicking a ball into a net. The Greeks and Romans also had a game that was very similar to football but which also involved using hands. However, while people all over the world played a game very...2021-07-1208 minHistory Storytime - For KidsLady Jane Grey: England's Nine Day Tudor QueenSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Lady Jane Grey, the Tudor who ruled England for just nine days.----more----
Henry VIII was King of England. He was married to a Spanish Princess. They had a daughter called Mary. However, Henry really wanted to have a son. He asked the Pope if he could get divorced from his Spanish Princess and marry someone different. The Pope said no.
So Henry decided to change the religion of England. England was a Catholic country which meant that the Pope was in...2021-07-0509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMarie CurieSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the amazing scientist Marie Curie.----more----
Marie Curie was born 150 years ago in Poland. Back then Poland was ruled by Russia and the Russians were not kind to the Poles. The Russians stopped the schools teaching science to the Polish children. However, Marie’s father was a science teacher. He took his school science equipment home and taught Marie there. Marie was very clever and top of her class at school. However, in Poland women were not allowed to go to university. So Marie became a go...2021-06-2809 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMagna CartaSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Magna Carta, which was signed at Runnymede in 1215, what it was, and what it means today.----more----
King John is not a good man. He is mean to his Barons. He taxes the poor so much that the legend of Robin Hood comes from this period. He loses most of the English lands in France. Now the Barons have to see him all the time which makes them like him even less. King John thinks that he can do what he likes and that laws are for the little...2021-06-2109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsRomulus, Remus and the Founding of RomeSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) are joined by May (age 6) to tell the legends and truth behind of the Founding of Rome.----more----
We start with Aeneas escaping from a burning Troy. The gods tell him that it is his job to find the area where Rome will later be founded. Aeneas has many adventures, including visiting the underworld. He stops off in Africa where he meets Dido, the beautiful Queen of Carthage. They fall in love. Dido wants Aeneas to stay. However, the god Jupiter, reminds Aeneas that he needs to find the place where Rome will...2021-06-1409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWilliam ShakespeareSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Life of William Shakespeare.----more----
William Shakespeare was born into Tudor England 500 years ago. He wrote some of the most famous plays in history. We tell the story of Hamlet and Ellie points out that this the same story as Disney’s The Lion King. We talk about how Shakespeare's plays are so famous that many people copy them and we watch them even today.
William Shakespeare's father was a glove maker and also leant people money. He sent his son William to a...2021-06-0709 minHistory StorytimeThe Persian Invasion of Ancient GreeceSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of the Persian invasion of Ancient Greece and the Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.----more----The Persians are determined to get their revenge for their defeat at the Battle of Marathon. The new Persian Emperor, Xerxes, decides to conquer all of Greece once and for all.He assembles the largest army the world has ever seen. The army is too big to be taken by sea. So he builds a bridge of boats to get it from Asia to Europe. However, in building the bridge we learn...2021-05-3109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Persian Invasion of Ancient GreeceSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of the Persian invasion of Ancient Greece and the Battles of Thermopylae and Salamis.----more----
The Persians are determined to get their revenge for their defeat at the Battle of Marathon. The new Persian Emperor, Xerxes, decides to conquer all of Greece once and for all.
He assembles the largest army the world has ever seen. The army is too big to be taken by sea. So he builds a bridge of boats to get it from Asia to Europe. However, in building the bridge we...2021-05-3109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAncient Greece and the History of the MarathonSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell the history of the Persian invasion of Ancient Greece and how it led to the Marathon race.
Ancient Greece was a set of city states who ruled themselves. Next door was the mighty Persian Empire. The Persian Emperor told his people what to do. There were a few Greek cities in the Persian Empire. They did not like it. They rebelled. However, the Persians crushed the Greek cities. The Greek city of Athens helped the Greek cities rebel. The Persian Emperor was furious and decided to punish Athens. He sent...2021-05-2409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsLivia, Domina of RomeSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Livia, the most powerful woman in the early Roman Empire.
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The Roman Republic is falling. Generals fight to be in charge. Eventually Julius Caesar wins out. Meanwhile, Livia is born to a rich and powerful Roman family. She has a perfect childhood and is married to her older cousin. They have a baby. Then Julius Caesar is murdered to stop him becoming King. Rome is split by civil war. Caesar’s nephew, Octavian, hunts down the murderers of Caesar and anyone supporting them and kills them. Li...2021-05-1709 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe United States and World War 1Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the United States and World War One for the anniversary of America’s entry into the War.
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Britain, France and Russia are at war with Germany and her allies. But a war in Europe seems to have little to do with the United States. However, the British battle fleet is far more powerful than the German fleet. So the Germans start to use submarines to sink British ships. German submarines find it difficult to tell the difference between a warship and a passenger ship. A German su...2021-04-0509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Fall of NapoleonSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of the fall of Napoleon - Spain, divorce, Russian disaster to Waterloo and St Helena.----more----
In the third of our Napoleonic series our episode starts with Napoleon at the height of his power. Europe lies before him. Only Britain remains still opposing him. Napoleon decides to launch economic war on Britain. He bans European countries from importing British goods. But people in Europe want the goods. So they keep trying to trade with Britain. Everytime they do, Napoleon invades them.
But he bites off more than...2021-03-1509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsEmperor NapoleonSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell how Napoleon came to power and how his armies were victorious all over Europe.----more----
Napoleon sails to Egypt. He wins a great battle in the shadow of the Pyramids. But Nelson destroys the French fleet, stranding the French in Egypt. Napoleon hears that the French government are losing battles at home. He abandons his army and sails for France. Back in France he takes control and makes himself ruler of France. Like Hannibal before him he crossed the Alps and then crushes the Austrians in battle. He gives France new laws...2021-03-0809 minHistory StorytimeHistory of Burma / MyanmarSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell the 1000 year history of Burma – Buddhism, Kublai Khan, Elephants, the British, WW2 and Aung Sung Suu Kyi.----more----Sophie and Ellie are contacted by a listener who lives in Burma. The girls want to find out more about the place and what is going on there. They describe the Burmese geography and weather. Then they tell of the first Burmese King, a thousand years ago, and how he unified Burma. He then converted to Buddhism and introduced the religion to Burma. Ten thousand Buddhist temples were made. But the Buddhist temples paid no tax. An...2021-02-1509 minHistory StorytimeGandhiSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of Gandhi. We learn how he led India to independence. But more than that the girls learn life lessons from his example.150 years India was ruled by Britain. India was a country of many religions, and many languages. These differences helped Britain to be in charge. But many Indians wanted to rule themselves. The girls explore why it was important for the Indians to rule their own country and the problems with Britain being in charge.We meet Gandhi. We learn about his personal value system. We discover how he...2021-02-0810 minHistory StorytimeThe Rescue of the Danish Jews in WW2Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of how Denmark’s Jews were rescued by Danish people at the height of World War Two and escaped overnight to Sweden and safety. Hitler’s Germany has conquered most of Europe in World War Two. Hitler hates the Jews and tells lies about them. He tries to find them and kill them. But in Denmark the Danes are conquered but allowed to rule themselves – with the German army patrolling the streets. The King tries to keep his people’s morale up. He rides his horse through Copenhagen every day...2021-02-0109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsEleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of EnglandSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of Eleanor of Aquitaine. But Eleanor has been Queen of France. Now she becomes Queen of England.----more----
This is the second in our series about Eleanor of Aquitaine. But you don't need to have listened to the last episode to enjoy this one. Last week we learned how 800 years ago Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, married the King of France. But she didn’t much like him. He was unhappy they didn’t have a son. So they divorced.
But no one expected what happened next. Eleanor married the dashi...2021-01-1109 minHistory StorytimeEleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of EnglandSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of Eleanor of Aquitaine. But Eleanor has been Queen of France. Now she becomes Queen of England.----more----This is the second in our series about Eleanor of Aquitaine. But you don't need to have listened to the last episode to enjoy this one. Last week we learned how 800 years ago Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, married the King of France. But she didn’t much like him. He was unhappy they didn’t have a son. So they divorced. But no one expected what happened next. Eleanor married the dashing young pretender to the Engli...2021-01-1109 minHistory Storytime - For KidsEleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of FranceSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of Eleanor of Aquitaine. In a time of knights and castles, men rule. But Eleanor is Duchess of Aquitaine - no one is telling her what to do.----more----
800 years ago Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine in South West France. It was a time of Knights and Castles. But the King of France, Louis the Fat, didn’t want to lose control of Aquitaine. So he quickly married 13 year old Eleanor off to his son – also called Louis. Louis didn’t much want to be King. He also didn’t much want...2021-01-0409 minHistory StorytimeEleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of FranceSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell of Eleanor of Aquitaine. In a time of knights and castles, men rule. But Eleanor is Duchess of Aquitaine - no one is telling her what to do.----more---- 800 years ago Eleanor became Duchess of Aquitaine in South West France. It was a time of Knights and Castles. But the King of France, Louis the Fat, didn’t want to lose control of Aquitaine. So he quickly married 13 year old Eleanor off to his son – also called Louis. Louis didn’t much want to be King. He also didn’t much want to be a husb...2021-01-0409 minHistory StorytimeThe History of New YearSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 5) decide to tell the history of New Year going back four thousand years.----more----They start by going to the time of the ancient Mesopotamians. They tell how they Mesopotamians celebrated New Year at the start of Spring on March 25th. They had parties and invented the idea of New Year Resolutions. Fast forward to 2000 years ago and it is the time of the Romans. The Romans also celebrated the New Year on March 25th. But they had an important thing happen on January 1st. This was the date that the C...2020-12-2808 minHistory StorytimeWW2: The Battle of the BulgeSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 5) want to know if battles ever happened at Christmas so together we tell the story of the Battle of the Bulge in World War Two. It is winter 1944. Allied troops are at the borders of Germany. Germany seems defeated. The allies are resting, preparing for the final push for Berlin in the Spring which will end World War Two. But Hitler has a plan of his own. He gathers his last tank army together in great secrecy. His tanks smash through woods called the Ardennes. The Battle of the Bulge has started. 2020-12-1409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWW2: The Battle of the BulgeSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 5) want to know if battles ever happened at Christmas so together we tell the story of the Battle of the Bulge in World War Two.
It is winter 1944. Allied troops are at the borders of Germany. Germany seems defeated. The allies are resting, preparing for the final push for Berlin in the Spring which will end World War Two. But Hitler has a plan of his own. He gathers his last tank army together in great secrecy. His tanks smash through woods called the Ardennes. The Battle of the Bulge h...2020-12-1409 minHistory StorytimeWW2: Pearl Harbor 1941Sophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor which happened today in 1941 and brought America into World War Two. #OTD Until the 19th century Japan isolated itself from the world. Then Commodore Perry’s ironclad ship sails into Tokyo Harbour. The Japanese are amazed to realise how technologically far behind the world they have fallen. They resolve to catch up. For the next fifty years they modernise their economy building a formidable modern navy and fleet. They then resolve to use them in a bid for power. They start with...2020-12-0710 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWW2: Pearl Harbor 1941Sophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor which happened today in 1941 and brought America into World War Two. #OTD
Until the 19th century Japan isolated itself from the world. Then Commodore Perry’s ironclad ship sails into Tokyo Harbour. The Japanese are amazed to realise how technologically far behind the world they have fallen. They resolve to catch up.
For the next fifty years they modernise their economy building a formidable modern navy and fleet. They then resolve to use them in a bid...2020-12-0709 minHistory StorytimeRosa ParksSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the inspirational story of Rosa Parks and how her refusal to move seats on a bus, 65 years ago this week, helped change America for the better. America in 1950s is still scarred by the impact of the evils of slavery. Slavery might have been abolished but mean laws have replaced them in the South of the United States which make life very difficult for black people. They are sent to different schools, they have to eat in different sections of restaurants and use different sections of toilets. Seats at the front of b...2020-11-3009 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAmerican History: Rosa ParksSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the inspirational story of Rosa Parks and how her refusal to move seats on a bus, 65 years ago this week, helped change America for the better.
America in 1950s is still scarred by the impact of the evils of slavery. Slavery might have been abolished but mean laws have replaced them in the South of the United States which make life very difficult for black people. They are sent to different schools, they have to eat in different sections of restaurants and use different sections of toilets. Seats at t...2020-11-3009 minHistory StorytimeAncient Egypt: Tutankhamun and MummiesSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) love stories about Ancient Egypt so they tell the story of the boy Pharoah, Tutankhamun, including how his body was turned into a mummy. We explain how Egypt got its wealth from the annual flooding of the Nile. The Old Kingdom turn this wealth into the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The Middle Kingdom builds on this. After years of turmoil the New Kingdom emerges. Powerful Egyptian rulers expand Egypt’s territories to nearby countries. But the new Pharoah, Akenhaton wants to build a new religion at home. He replaces all the...2020-11-2309 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAncient Egypt: Tutankhamun and MummiesSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) love stories about Ancient Egypt so they tell the story of the boy Pharoah, Tutankhamun, including how his body was turned into a mummy.
We explain how Egypt got its wealth from the annual flooding of the Nile. The Old Kingdom turn this wealth into the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx. The Middle Kingdom builds on this. After years of turmoil the New Kingdom emerges. Powerful Egyptian rulers expand Egypt’s territories to nearby countries.
But the new Pharoah, Akenhaton wants to build a new religion at h...2020-11-2309 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAmerican History: The Mayflower, Pilgrims and ThanksgivingSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Mayflower, the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving in America.
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The Pilgrims are protestant refugees from England. They are fleeing and intolerant England who persecute people who will not follow the established Church. At first they flee to Holland. But they do not want their children to grow up Dutch. So they decide to create an English colony in America. There is already a colony in Jamestown. But they decide to settle far from there. They want to an English Colony but one where...2020-11-1609 minHistory StorytimeThe Mayflower, Pilgrims and ThanksgivingSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Mayflower, the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving in America.----more----The Pilgrims are protestant refugees from England. They are fleeing and intolerant England who persecute people who will not follow the established Church. At first they flee to Holland. But they do not want their children to grow up Dutch. So they decide to create an English colony in America. There is already a colony in Jamestown. But they decide to settle far from there. They want to an English Colony but one where they can practice their...2020-11-1609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsVictorians: The Life of a Child in the Victorian PeriodSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of children in Victorian times. We learn what school was like (not very nice!), what jobs they did (yucky ones!) and what they did for fun.
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Ellie has a Victorian day coming up at school. She has to dress up as a Victorian school girl. So she and Sophie decide to explore what life was like back then. We start by learning about the huge changes that happened during Queen Victoria’s long reign. Incredible inventions like the steam ship and the telephone occur and huge changes li...2020-11-0909 minHistory StorytimeThe Life of a Child in the Victorian PeriodSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of children in Victorian times. We learn what school was like (not very nice!), what jobs they did (yucky ones!) and what they did for fun.----more----Ellie has a Victorian day coming up at school. She has to dress up as a Victorian school girl. So she and Sophie decide to explore what life was like back then. We start by learning about the huge changes that happened during Queen Victoria’s long reign. Incredible inventions like the steam ship and the telephone occur and huge changes like the growth of...2020-11-0909 minHistory Storytime - For KidsGuy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot and Bonfire NightSophie (age 7) & Ellie (age 5) are missing fireworks and Bonfire Night because of Coronavirus. So they tell the story of Guy Fawkes, the Gunpowder Plot, and how Bonfire Night came to be celebrated.----more----
England is Protestant. But Guy Fawkes and his Catholic friends dream of a Catholic England. They hope that the new King James will be kinder to Catholics because his mother had been a Catholic. But James is a Protestant and does not like Catholics.
Guy Fawkes and his friends decide to kill King James, his nobles and his bi...2020-11-0209 minHistory StorytimeHallowe'en Special: Witches in HistoryFor Hallowe’en Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of witches in history. We learn how the Witchfinder General in England used to find so called witches and about the Salem Witch trials in America.----more----People in Europe are very worried about witches 500 years ago. They think that witches are people who are working with the devil. They worry that they are flying on broomsticks and have cats who are friends with the Devil. But actually, they are just picking on mostly poor and lonely women. In East Anglia there is a scare about wit...2020-10-2609 minHistory StorytimeBlack History Month: Ivory Bangle Lady, Phillis Wheatley & Mary SeacoleIt’s Black History Month at school so Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell some stories of Black women who made history in Britain. They tell of Ivory Bangle Woman, the first black woman found in Britain; Phillis Wheatley, an enslaved black woman turned star poet; and Mary Seacole, a Jamaican doctress.----more----They have heard of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. They appreciated these stories. But wanted to hear stories from their own history. Daddy suggested Walter Tull and Asquith Xavier. But they were insistent on having Black women at the heart of the story. 2020-10-1908 minHistory StorytimeThe Neolithic Stone Age: Stonehenge and Skara BraeSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the Neolithic Stone Age. We visit Skara Brae, explore Stonehenge, and see how Stone Age people moved from hunter-gathering to farming.----more----This is the third of our Stone Age episodes. Our first episode was about the Paleolithic period when Stone Age people lived during the ice age. In our second episode we explored the Mesolithic period after the ice age when people were still hunting and gathering and moving from place to place. Now in the Neolithic period Stone Age people start to invent farming. This starts in the Fertile Crescent...2020-10-0509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Neolithic Stone Age: Stonehenge and Skara BraeSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the Neolithic Stone Age. We visit Skara Brae, explore Stonehenge, and see how Stone Age people moved from hunter-gathering to farming.----more----
This is the third of our Stone Age episodes. Our first episode was about the Paleolithic period when Stone Age people lived during the ice age. In our second episode we explored the Mesolithic period after the ice age when people were still hunting and gathering and moving from place to place. Now in the Neolithic period Stone Age people start to invent farming. This starts in...2020-10-0509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Mesolithic Stone Age: Cheddar Man and Star CarrSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) go back 15,000 years to tell of the Mesolithic Stone Age. The Ice Age is over. The world has completely changed from the Paleolithic Stone Age and the woolly mammoths of our last episode. ----more----
There are new seas like the English Channel. The era of animals like the Woolly Mammoth is over. Trees cover the land. Humans are still hunter gatherers. But they are now more seasonal. They are better at making tools, especially more delicate tools of stone. But they also use more wood like for example making canoes.
...2020-09-2808 minHistory StorytimeAnimals in History: The HorseSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the horse in history. We see how horses helped us with farming, transport and warfare. We see how inventions like the harness, saddle and stirrup helped change history.----more----We learn about how the Assyrians built a huge empire thanks to the invention of the saddle. We hear how knights came to dominate Europe thanks to the stirrup. We meet famous horses like the ones that Cortez used to conquer the central America. We hear how the Mayans believed that the horse and its rider were one person. We hear the link...2020-09-1409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAnimals in History: The HorseSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell of the horse in history. We see how horses helped us with farming, transport and warfare. We see how inventions like the harness, saddle and stirrup helped change history.----more----
We learn about how the Assyrians built a huge empire thanks to the invention of the saddle. We hear how knights came to dominate Europe thanks to the stirrup. We meet famous horses like the ones that Cortez used to conquer the central America. We hear how the Mayans believed that the horse and its rider were one person. We hear...2020-09-1409 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMedieval: War of Scottish Independence 3 - Robert the Bruce Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell how Robert the Bruce gets Scotland its independence. With William Wallace’s rebellion crushed, Scotland lies under England’s rule. But to free Scotland, Robert the Bruce must first commit a terrible crime.----more----
He needs to murder his great rival, John Comyn. He murders him in a Church. People are appalled. But they realise that Robert the Bruce is their best hope for freedom from English rule.
Robert embarks on a series of hit and run raids on the English. Edward I, the Hammer of the Scots, rouses for o...2020-09-0709 minHistory StorytimeWar of Scottish Independence: William WallaceSophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the true story of William Wallace, of Braveheart fame, and his fight for Scotland’s freedom.----more----800 years ago England’s King Edward I has crushed Scotland. He chose and then removed Scotland’s King. But revolts break out across Scotland. One of the leaders is called William Wallace. He gathers more and more rebels to his cause. Then he meets up with other Scottish rebels. But the English know their knights are invincible. So they send out an army of Knights to crush Wallace and his rebels. The two armies meet at Stirli...2020-08-3109 minHistory StorytimeWar of Scottish Independence: The Hammer of the ScotsWe start our three part series on the War of Scottish Independence as Edward I, Hammer of the Scots, first chooses, then removes Scotland’s King and conquers Scotland.----more----Edward I, King of England, is a man with a plan. He shows little interest in France. First he crushes his rebellious English barons. Then he conquers Wales. Great castles keep the Welsh subdued. Now he turns his attention to Scotland.The Scots are without a King. Thirteen Scottish nobles claim the throne. Unable to decide who should be King they turn to Edward I to choose. But Ed...2020-08-2410 minHistory StorytimeThe Spanish Flu of 1918We learn about Spanish Flu of 1918 which swept the world at the end of World War 1. Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of their great, great uncle, a decorated war hero who fought in the trenches for four years, only to be struck down as the war ends by the Spanish Flu. He is not alone. Europe is broken by war. Weakened populations are easy prey to illness. Soldiers live like rats in the trenches – a perfect breeding ground for sickness.----more----Doctors in America first notice the new flu like illness. But World War 1 wartime censorship me...2020-08-1709 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMedicine: The Spanish Flu of 1918We learn about Spanish Flu of 1918 which swept the world at the end of World War 1. Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of their great, great uncle, a decorated war hero who fought in the trenches for four years, only to be struck down as the war ends by the Spanish Flu. He is not alone. Europe is broken by war. Weakened populations are easy prey to illness. Soldiers live like rats in the trenches – a perfect breeding ground for sickness.----more----
Doctors in America first notice the new flu like illness. But World War 1 wa...2020-08-1709 minHistory StorytimeSophie & Franz: The World War 1 Love StoryWe tell the tragic love story of Sophie, who married the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and whose murder helped start WW1. Like so many women she was belittled when alive and forgotten when dead. We put her back in the story.----more----From a modest family she was not noble enough to marry into Royalty. But Franz Ferdinand and her shared a forbidden love. Until it was discovered by chance. Scandal ensued. The Hapsburg Emperor forbade the match. But eventually relented. But at a terrible price for Sophie and Franz. Their children were disinherited. She was to be treated as...2020-08-1009 minHistory StorytimeWhy did World War 1 start?Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of why World War One happened – on the weekend of the anniversary of the War starting.----more---- We start in Sarajevo with Gavrilo Princeps shooting the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. But we soon move into exploring some of the theses which historians put forward. We properly explore how the alliance system in Europe acted as a domino effect. We understand the role that the Schliefflen plan had on German thinking. Then we delve into what is known as the Fisher controversy – did the Germans deliberately start the war to help...2020-08-0310 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWW1: Why did World War 1 start?Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of why World War One happened – on the weekend of the anniversary of the War starting.----more----
We start in Sarajevo with Gavrilo Princeps shooting the Archduke Ferdinand and his wife. But we soon move into exploring some of the theses which historians put forward. We properly explore how the alliance system in Europe acted as a domino effect. We understand the role that the Schliefflen plan had on German thinking. Then we delve into what is known as the Fisher controversy – did the Germans deliberately start the w...2020-08-0309 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMedieval: Joan of ArcSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) want a story of a girl knight. So they tell the story of Joan of Arc, the French heroine who turned the tide of The Hundred Years War.----more----
We learn how England’s Henry V and his archers crushed the French knights at the Battle of Agincourt. He then agreed to that he will succeed the old French king. Everything is thrown into turmoil when Henry V dies. The French King’s son, the Dauphin fights back. But the English archers are invincible, the English occupy Paris, and the Dauph...2020-07-2710 minHistory StorytimeCleopatraCleopatra echoes through history. But who really was she? Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) explore her life. We hear of her dreams for Egypt, her alliance with Rome and her love for Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.----more----We explore how she was maligned by Roman historians. But through the trials and tribulations are the tale of a brave woman confronting the prejudices of her age. We explore her world of Ptolemaic Egypt and how it differed from Ancient Egypt. We live her battle with her brother as she grows up in a sexist, patriarchal society. We follow h...2020-07-2010 minHistory Storytime - For KidsCleopatraCleopatra echoes through history. But who really was she? Sophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) explore her life. We hear of her dreams for Egypt, her alliance with Rome and her love for Julius Caesar and later Mark Antony.----more----
We explore how she was maligned by Roman historians. But through the trials and tribulations are the tale of a brave woman confronting the prejudices of her age. We explore her world of Ptolemaic Egypt and how it differed from Ancient Egypt. We live her battle with her brother as she grows up in a sexist, patriarchal society. W...2020-07-2009 minHistory StorytimeJousting with the Royal ArmouriesThis week Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) team up with Chloe from the Royal Armouries – the UK’s National Museum of Arms and Armour - to tell the story of Jousting. We follow the history of jousting from its beginnings as training for warfare to an increasingly stylised spectator sport. We track some of the great tournament specialists – the celebrities of their age. And we dive into one of the Great Tournaments of medieval England.----more----We learn the rules of jousting – what to do and what not to do. We see the comparisons between the film the Knight’s Tale and...2020-07-1309 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMedieval: Jousting with the Royal ArmouriesThis week Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (age 5) team up with Chloe from the Royal Armouries – the UK’s National Museum of Arms and Armour - to tell the story of Jousting. We follow the history of jousting from its beginnings as training for warfare to an increasingly stylised spectator sport. We track some of the great tournament specialists – the celebrities of their age. And we dive into one of the Great Tournaments of medieval England.----more----
We learn the rules of jousting – what to do and what not to do. We see the comparisons between the film...2020-07-1309 minHistory StorytimeThe Glorious Revolution and the Battle of the BoyneSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690, and how it helped secure the Glorious Revolution for William, Prince of Orange.----more----James II is King of England, Scotland and Ireland. But he is also a Catholic. Many people – especially in England and Scotland are very worried about that. So William of Orange is invited over with his wife Mary to become King of England, Scotland and Ireland. James flees to France rather than fight. William and the English Parliament agree a new constitutional settlement. A Protestant supremacy is se...2020-07-0609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Glorious Revolution and the Battle of the BoyneSophie (age 7) and Ellie (age 5) tell the story of the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in 1690, and how it helped secure the Glorious Revolution for William, Prince of Orange.
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James II is King of England, Scotland and Ireland. But he is also a Catholic. Many people – especially in England and Scotland are very worried about that. So William of Orange is invited over with his wife Mary to become King of England, Scotland and Ireland. James flees to France rather than fight. William and the English Parliament agree a new constitutional settlement. A Pr...2020-07-0609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAmerican History: Alexander Hamilton - The History Behind the Hamilton MusicalSophie and Ellie tell the story about Alexander Hamilton to help them understand the story told in the Musical – which comes out on Disney this week. The girls have heard some of the songs from Hamilton the Musical. But they don’t really understand the full story. So together we learn the life story of Alexander Hamilton.
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Obviously we don’t use any of the songs. But we do explain some of the phrases used in the musical through some of the lines. For example, we explain what the phrase “right hand man” means and what t...2020-06-3010 minHistory StorytimeAlexander Hamilton - The History Behind the Hamilton MusicalSophie and Ellie tell the story about Alexander Hamilton to help them understand the story told in the Musical – which comes out on Disney this week. The girls have heard some of the songs from Hamilton the Musical. But they don’t really understand the full story. So together we learn the life story of Alexander Hamilton.----more----Obviously we don’t use any of the songs. But we do explain some of the phrases used in the musical through some of the lines. For example, we explain what the phrase “right hand man” means and what the US constit...2020-06-3010 minHistory StorytimeWindrushOn the anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush, Sophie and Ellie tell the story of the ship that transformed Britain and what happened next. They learn about the Windrush’s journey from the Jamaica to Britain and the West Indians who came looking for jobs in a Britain rebuilding after the War. We listen to a newsreel of how the Windrush immigrants were perceived as they first arrived. We learn how they struggled with their first few weeks in the underground station at Clapham. Then see how they found jobs and settled in places like Brixton and Notting Hi...2020-06-2208 minHistory Storytime - For KidsThe Slave TradeSophie and Ellie ask about the Black Lives Matter protests. So we tell the story about the Slave Trade and the legacy it leaves. We learn about the transatlantic slave triangle of Europe, West Africa and the Americas. Sophie tells us about the brutality of slavery. Both children are astonished to hear of their own slave ancestry from the West Indies. But then they look on aghast as they discover their own family history includes not just slaves but also a slaver.
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They reflect on how so many people got rich from s...2020-06-0808 minHistory StorytimeThe Slave TradeSophie and Ellie ask about the Black Lives Matter protests. So we tell the story about the Slave Trade and the legacy it leaves. We learn about the transatlantic slave triangle of Europe, West Africa and the Americas. Sophie tells us about the brutality of slavery. Both children are astonished to hear of their own slave ancestry from the West Indies. But then they look on aghast as they discover their own family history includes not just slaves but also a slaver. They reflect on how so many people got rich from slavery. They discuss how they feel about people...2020-06-0808 minHistory StorytimeThe Fall of the Roman Empire and the End of Roman BritainWe learn about the Fall of the Roman Empire and the End of Roman Britain. Sophie and Ellie help tell the story of how the continuous barbarian attacks, corruption, overmighty generals and a manpower shortage led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. We dive into the story of Britain to show what this meant for one part of the Empire. Then we go to Rome itself for the Sacking of Rome in 410AD. Sophie sings a song which brings to life the abandonment of Britain by Rome.Britain is now reconciled to Roman rule. The era of...2020-05-2509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsRomans: The Fall of the Roman Empire and the End of Roman BritainWe learn about the Fall of the Roman Empire and the End of Roman Britain. Sophie and Ellie help tell the story of how the continuous barbarian attacks, corruption, overmighty generals and a manpower shortage led to the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. We dive into the story of Britain to show what this meant for one part of the Empire. Then we go to Rome itself for the Sacking of Rome in 410AD. Sophie sings a song which brings to life the abandonment of Britain by Rome.
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Britain is now reconciled to Roman...2020-05-2509 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAmerican History: George Washington and the Battle of YorktownSophie and Ellie tell the story of how America got its independence from Britain thanks to the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
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We hear the different sides of the arguments that led to war between Britain and her American colonists. The war is stalemated. But the French join the war. The war culminated in the Battle of Yorktown. We feel the excitement of the battle as Alexander Hamilton storms the British positions under George Washington’s leadership. The British are left stunned and defeated. America gains her independence. The war sows the seeds of the Fr...2020-05-1809 minHistory Storytime - For KidsAmerican History: Jamestown, Pocahontas and the colonisation of AmericaWe tell the story of the founding of Jamestown settlement in 1607 and how Pocahontas helped it survive so it eventually grew into the United States of America. And we tell where the Disney film Pocahontas got it wrong and got it right.
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Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 4) put ourselves in the shoes of the Powhatan Indians. We feel the excitement of the colonists as they build the Jamestown settlement. This is the anniversary week of the founding of the Jamestown settlement so it is a great time to listen to this podcast.
English sa...2020-05-1009 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWW2: VE Day 1945 - the 75th Anniversary of Victory in EuropeSophie and Ellie tell the story of VE Day (V-E Day) celebrations 75 years ago.
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They are missing out this year because of the Coronavirus. They had been planning a VE Day street party. But now they are trapped at home. So with their Daddy they tell the story of the VE Day celebrations. They learn how awful World War 2 had been. They understand just how relieved ordinary people were to put it all behind them. They get swept up in the VE Day Party atmosphere of 75 years ago.
Much of the story...2020-05-0309 minHistory Storytime - For KidsWW2: The Battle of Britain and Winston Churchill in 1940We tell the story of the Battle of Britain through the speeches of Winston Churchill. We discover the strategy of Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany to conquer Britain. We hear stirring speeches from Winston Churchill as he rallies the British people before the Battle of Britain starts. The podcast is set alive with the noise of dogfights and Spitfires and Hurricanes fight Messerschmitts in the skies above England.
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We learn about how the German strategy goes wrong as they start to bomb London. We hear the newsreels of the bombing of Buckingham Palace. As...2020-04-2609 minHistory Storytime - For KidsMedicine: The Cow and the Smallpox vaccine (and the Coronavirus)Sophie (aged 7) and Ellie (aged 4) tell the story of the Smallpox vaccine. They are bored at home with the Coronavirus. They cast their mind to the Smallpox virus which devastated civilisations and killed millions of people all over the world. We learn how we defeated smallpox through the bravery of people like George Washington and the genius of Edward Jenner with some help from Blossom the Cow. This positive and uplifting story gives hope and trust that we have beaten viruses like smallpox and can do it again.
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We learn:
How smallpox killed...2020-04-1909 minHistory Storytime - For KidsRomans: Hannibal and his Elephants cross the Alps in 218BCSophie (aged 7) is joined by her sister Ellie (aged 4) and between them they help tell the story of how Hannibal crossed the Alps with his elephants to take on the might of the Rome.
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We learn about the love between Aeneas and Dido eventually tore the ancient world apart. We learn about how Rome had an amazing army with powerful legions. But we also learn that Hannibal learned to beat that army. We learn that there are three types of elephants. And we learn that elephants really don't like trumpets. Oh and we have a...2020-03-2510 min