Terrible, True Tales from the Tower of London: As Told by the Ravens

by Historic Royal Palaces, Peter Cottrill (Illustrator)

The history of the Tower of London - as told by the ravens that live there.The ravens of the Tower of London bring its fascinating history to life, telling tales of gore, guts and great escapes. Perfect for fans of Horrible Histories, the book is illustrated throughout and packed with fascinating and funny stories that the Yeoman Warders would rather were kept secret from visitors, such as a daring attempt to steal the Crown Jewels, the polar bear who once lived at the Tower and the prisoner who tried to escape through his toilet. (Per Amazon)

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Education, Historical

128 pages, Hardcover

Published July 6, 2017

Reviews

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrible True Tales from the Tower of London, does exactly what it says it does. It teaches children true events that have taken place at the tower over the centuries. From beheadings to attempted thefts, it is packed full of information that is both insightful, and informative.

The book is unusual in that the facts are told by the seven raven’s that live, and work there. For those that don’t know, raven’s have lived in the Tower of London for centuries, due to an ancient legend that says the kingdom will fall if they are removed.

I found the book fascinating, and learnt a lot too. I was totally engrossed in finding out more about the place. It educates without being boring, and includes detailed black and red illustrations throughout to bring the text to life.

The book does have some gore in it, well what child doesn’t like a bit of gore. The stories are also told in an amusing manner, making it interesting to read. Did you know that there have been quite a few animals living in the tower over the years? Including lions, a polar bear, and even an elephant.

A lovely book that makes learning fun, is educational, and memorable too.

Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

[Jorge Rosas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this small raven told book about the story and stories of the London Tower, from its foundations to present day, it even explains the Yeoman’s uniforms! Something that its worth knowing once you’ve visited the tower and suddenly you don’t see those famous red uniforms. Loved the humor, jokes and the info.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with wonderful fun facts of the Tower of London, all in very understandable little bits. And the facts that it's supposed to be the ravens telling you all this is just great. I had so much fun and definitely learnt much that I didn't know, and I'll remember it more than if I had read a history book. I love that they do books like this. For kids is amazing and for adults it's just hilarious fun.

[Brianna Cormie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, I learned a lot about the history about the tower of London and I found the ravens hilarious and very clever.

[Cat Strawberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this book! Packed with lots of facts on the history of the Tower of London, it's both informative and such a fun read! 'Terrible True Tales from the Tower of London' is very similar to a 'Horrible Histories' book and perfect for both kids and adults. The ravens from tower are the narrators of the book and the first pages introduces us to these funny characters as well as the basics of the Tower such as a map and all the monarchs and which houses they belong to before launching into several chapters each about different facts.

Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of the Tower's history such as who was beheaded at the tower, the crown jewels and various mishaps with them, the animals that were kept at the Tower as part of a zoo and escape attempts to name some of the chapters in this book. There's even a chapter about the warders of the Tower including why they are called Beefeaters (an interesting fact I always wondered about!). Each chapter is filled with lots of interesting facts. Stories are short with lots of funny illustrations surrounding them and there's a little quiz at the end of each chapter to keep you entertained and see of you know some facts that you read about (and some you didn't).

The illustrations throughout the book really add to the humour and there are some funny jokes throughout! I really love pictures like these, they make the gory facts easier to read and really make you remember what you are reading as they make some funny incidents you read about even sillier due to the pictures.

I love the fact that the ravens are the narrators and the last section of the book is an afterword by the Ravenmaster which explains some fun facts about the ravens themselves! The whole book has made me want to go and see the Tower and the ravens again (I've been to the Tower of London quite a few years ago) and I'm sure lots of kids and adults would love to go there too after reading this book.

Whether you want to visit or not, this book is packed with so many interesting and fun facts that I'm sure everyone would love to read this. I haven't stopped telling people all the facts I've learned and I'll definitely be re-reading this book again even if it is aimed at kids! Overall a really brilliant and informative book and one I'd really recommend!
-Thanks to Walker Books for a free copy.

[Cristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can only find this book at the Tower of London gift shop or, occasionally, on Amazon through the organization that maintains the Tower: Historic Royal Palaces. It’s such a fun and fascinating source of knowledge, as well as a wonderful keepsake! Inside, you’ll find a map of the Tower, a list of royals in chronological order, and plenty of intriguing (and sometimes macabre) stories about its history - everything from the Tower’s construction and infamous executions to the menagerie of exotic animals that once lived there. It even explains things like the origin of the “Beefeaters” and the legend of the ravens. The book is filled with beautifully detailed illustrations. Not recommended for younger children, as some of the execution descriptions can be quite graphic. I wish they made books like this for all of London’s royal sites!

[Steph Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great kids book that gives plenty of history of the Tower of London. I loved that it was written from the ravens perspective, such a fun way to learn. Also loved the little quizzes at the end of each chapter.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books like this. Quick informational read. Witty and true. Quirky illustrations. Quizzes at the end of each chapter, which were fun for me to test my memory. Good for people 11 y/o and up. Does talk torture and killing and blood, so kids would need to be able to handle that.

[Joanne Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it is the most interesting factual book I have ever read and there are some interesting stories in it. Max 8

[Fennn_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories were pretty funny and interesting as well, I enjoyed it :)

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book for your grandkids

[Gianna Buonpastore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun, quick book to learn about Tower London! Wish I had read this prior to going, but a fun read!

[Sophie Cimon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought this as a souvenir at the Tower. The short stories goes too fast and i wishe for some to be much more longer and having more details. Overall, it’s funny and full of tiny bits of history.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a brilliant children's book that is both educational and entertaining. I’d have loved this when I was a kid.