The Usborne Book of World History

by JESSICA W on 2009-10-27
I'm going to stand up for this book as well! We have really enjoyed it, the artwork is detailed and so interesting. We are not at all offended by the nudity, this is how peoples of the world lived and still live today in many areas. I firmly believe my children can be taught to respect the wonderful bodies we have been blessed with without sheltering them from some vague cartoon drawings -- or actual photographs of disrobed tribal peoples in National Geographic, for that matter!

by MANDY R on 2009-10-06
Where do I start? Well, I don't care for the block format. My second point of contention, is that this book is unnecessarily illustrates people in the nude. Some pictures of women might be clothed, but their blouse is open. Why? You got me. I think the thing that bothers me most, however, is the way they skim over the birth of Jesus Christ, but linger on Mohammad. I guess I was also hoping for something more in depth (and less offensive.) I wish, like Denise B., there were alternative choices for some of the Usborne books.

by DENISE B on 2009-09-28
I have been using Sonlight material for about 10 years. I have to agree with a couple of other reviews on here. I don't think the nude drawings are needed to provide a good account of history. I don't like the pull towards those pictures that I have seen from my sons. Even if it is factual, it does not account for the issues that those cultures dealt with because of the ways of dress, or the different values associated with it. I will not use this book as is. I have been really happy with Sonlight's choices in so many books, but it would be nice to find a good substitute for some of Usborne's. I am glad to find others who feel the same way.

by DANIELLE T on 2009-07-30
I was a bit wary of this after reading the reviews, so when I got the book in today it was the first thing I took a close look at. I find the picture fine. They are not graphic or very detailed. You do know they do not have clothes covering parts of their bodies that we feel should be covered. We are not a very modest family, but do have serious dislike for inapporiate material. I am not bothered by the pictures and don't plan to make a big deal of the nudity as we read this book this year. My kids love the history in this curriculum and have very much liked all the Usborne books we used last year, and are greatly looking forward to this one!

by ANGELICA M on 2009-06-08
I completely agree with the other mom that felt like she had to take a stand for this book. My kids love this book and so do I. I was concerned about the nudity but I just explained that cultures are different all over the world (3000 years ago as well as today). I stayed calm and didn't over react when they pointed these pictures out and they accepted it. This book has really opened my families eyes to the world in days gone by and how that effects us now. I always hear "Read more, read more!!!!". Great book!!!.

by SARAH O on 2009-02-26
I am compelled to stand up for this book! Ok - we are a family that is very comfortable with nudity, so that issue doesn't apply to us. I have found this book (indeed, all Usbornes) to make history come alive - and, in my opinion, the nudity is just a factually correct depiction. I find this book appeals to the both the voracious, and reluctant, reader, alike: the simpler text in blocks makes it less intimidating, yet the fuller text and information dotted here and there is ample. We love finding humour in the pictures - and this has yet again made it appealing to the young child. This is one of our favourite reference books, and one chosen by browsing non-homeschool friends as gifts for school-going kids deprived of the "fun" in history. Doesn't that just say it all...? Our only caution would be the graphic battle-scenes - not something I'd remove; rather something to leave until sensitive readers are ready. WE LOVE THIS BOOK!

by MELISSA BAKER B on 2009-02-23
We absolutely loved this book!!! I definitely went through a lot of sharpies to cover up the historically acurate pictures, but it's well worth the extra effort! My 3 children (ages 3, 5, & 7) cant wait to "do" history every day. And my nieces and nephews (ages 6, 8, 10, & 12) pore over the pages every time they come down. It presents the facts in an interesting and engaging way that really seems to pull them into what's being read. And they come away with a much better understanding of the history and culture of our would. This book gets 2 BIG thumbs up from us!

by AMELIA B on 2009-02-21
The content of the book was average. I do not prefer the block-by-block type of reading. I also concur with the concern about nudity. Unfortunately, this book was one that was identified by my son (age 8) as one of the contributing factors causing him to think about "naked pictures". His mounting curiosity eventually resulted in a disturbingly revealing Google search on a computer that even had a "safety filter". Even though I did not prefer the pictures, I rationalized that they were just drawings and "looked at the bigger picture". Now, I wish I had been more thoughtful and cautious!

by MACARENA L on 2009-02-03
I am sorry I have to write this, but I bought this book like many others based on other parents reviews, and got the wrong impression. The pictures are not for kids 6 or 7 years old, I had to paint cloth everywhere, but I really don´t see the need for all those nude pictures, it is not needed to show everything. I hope Sonlight can find some other book that parents can use instead of this one to teach history 1.

by Chia-chen L. on 2008-04-01
We are all done with core1 and core2, but my son still pull this book out to read for pleasure. It is full of information and pictures. Beware there is nudity in this book if it bothers you or your children.