The head in the sand - Julia Donaldson

Arthur Godbold discovers a bronze head of the Roman Emperor Claudius. As he tries to figure out how the head ended up in a Suffolk river, the dramatic story of the Roman invasion of Britain unfolds in front of his very own eyes.

Emperor Claudius, British Queen Boudicca, ordinary Roman soldiers and British slave girls are all involved in this exciting play, providing a variety of opportunities for KS2 classes to explore both historical and literacy topics in an involving and creative setting.

Julia Donaldson, the 2011-2013 Children's Laureate, is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of the world's most-loved picture books including The Gruffalo and What the Ladybird Heard.

The Gruffalo, illustrated by Axel Scheffler, is now a children's classic and publishing phenomenon; celebrating 15 years in 2014, selling over 3 million copies worldwide, was voted Great Britain's favourite bedtime story on BBC Radio 2 and was adapted and broadcast as an animation on BBC 1 on Christmas Day 2009. The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom are now also films, with Room on the Broom shortlisted for an Academy Award in 2014. Julia Donaldson's most recent books with Axel Scheffler include Superworm (2012), Highway Rat (2011), Tabby McTat (2010), Stick Man (2009) and Tiddler (2008).

Julia Donaldson has also published work with David Roberts, Nick Sharratt, Emily Gravett, Rebecca Cobb, and Lydia Monks. Her collaboration with Lydia Monks began in 2003, with the first collection of Princess Mirror-Belle stories. The fabulously glittery Sugarlump and the Unicorn is their sixth, and most recent, picture book collaboration. She also writes poems, plays, songs and fiction for older children and, together with her husband Malcolm, has performed her wonderful stage shows all over the world.

A way of linking history with English which I really liked.
TES Teacher

perfect for class reading or performance
Primary Times