Beth Anderson, Children's Writer

Perfect Picture Book Friday features a coffee table book for kids.

Title: Timeline, A Visual History of Our World
Written and Illustrated by: Peter Goes
Gecko Press, 2016
Suitable for ages: recommended 10-14 but great for all ages!

Themes/topics: world history

Opening:
The Big Bang! Scientists believe that about 13.7 billion Earth years ago everything in the universe was compressed into a single red-hot point. During an enormous primordial explosion, time and matter were born from that tiny point.

Brief synopsis (from barnesandnoble.com)
A perfect introduction to history for young and old, this illustrated journey through our world’s culture and events travels from the Big Bang to the present.

This is a trip through time, past dinosaurs, Aztecs and spaceships. It looks at wars and disasters; introduces artists and explorers; shows us living in castles, yurts and skyscrapers. And here too is the imagination: dragons, myths, popular culture and world-changing inventions. Each scene puts global events in perspective, in space and time. Each spread provides a slew of talking points, with the world’s stories concisely told in detailed images.

Activities and Resources:
Activity book is also available.

Why I like this book:
I’m a fan of maps. Of all kinds. For all ages. You can pore over these pages for hours. They will inspire questions, conversations, and further investigation. It’s one of those books you can pick up and peruse for minutes or hours. Interesting art, too!

Visit author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Books for a plethora of picture books listed by title and topic/theme, each with teacher/parent activities and resources.