"Do you use children's books as a resource?" Topic

I've got a couple books that are technically children's books that seem like pretty good historical references.
The Legend of Odysseus by Peter Connolly has Connolly's drawings of scenes from the Trojan War, artists' concepts of what Troy and Mycenae looked like, and drawings of Mycenaean era archaeological finds.

I was recently given The Encyclopedia of the Ancient World by Charlotte Hurdman, Philip Steels, and Richard Tames, which seems to be geared to 10-11 year olds. In addition to lots of photos and drawings, it has kids' projects including making a replicas of a prehistoric hunter's home, a wood henge, an Ancient Egyptian house, a pyramid, a reed boat, a shaduf, a Greek temple, and a Roman aqueduct. Some of these look like they might be useful for gaming, and I'm going to have to give them a try.

I realize these aren't scholarly publications, but they contain useful information, to my way of thinking.

Do any others use children's books as resources?

Grelber

I would imagine that some research, however minimal, went into the drawings. So they would be as good as some "historical" renderings.

Yes, I do. There are a number interesting books on a variety of topics out there!

I read a fair few when I want a readable overview of a subject without trudging through 4-500+ pages. If I'm still interested, then I look for the "real" books.

That's part of the reason I got to be a gamer :D very happy to have the charm of childrens books as part of my sources to gaming, some of these books have great and very colourful illustrations too.
Cheers

The accuracy for portraying star bellied sneetches is unsurpassed by these sources.

Given the variety of anthropomorphic figures now available (especially the excellent ones from Dark Sword), I've been trying to develop a campaign based on 'The Wind in the Willows' (The Wind and the Lion in the Willows)(and in the Wardrobe?). I've got Badger, Ratty and Toad, but I'm still looking for Mole…

I always planed on using the Usborne Books Cut-out models like these.

link

They're 1/72 scale and fairly cheap so I really should get a move on.

Oh yes.

Especially the look inside books by Osborne.

Ewart Oakeshott's books got me into Medieval gaming! Fun, but well researched!

Hell Yes…..

Tony

yes

They have some nice building drawings and maps.

I always planned on using the Usborne Books Cut-out models like these.

link

They're 1/72 scale and fairly cheap so I really should get a move on.

They're great and work really well with 15mm figures.

Yes, I once ran "Asterix and the Golden Sickle" as an RPG scenario for Fantasy Games' Unlimited Bushido rules. Assuming that Asterix counts as children's books, that is! One of the players idly picked up the book during the usual post-game chat, and the dawning look of realisation was hilarious…

Not exactly a historical reference, but still a gaming use. I might do something like that again.

LOL Bashytubits, I've got to have a unit of those to face a charge of Knights :D
Cheers

Yes. Dover Books has quite a few useful picture books.

Your local library's children's department is a fantastic resource for picture references. Any mainstream historical subject will be covered by large format books with well-researched and (usually very well executed) illustrations. In contrast the matching adult books feature black and white photos and public domain Victorian lithographs.

Yes, most historical museums have a section of books for kids and they often have well done artwork that can be used as a painting guide – especially for structures and civilians but sometimes even the soldiers involved. Also, as that squinty old Mex points out, the local library can also be useful.

Childrens books can be an awesome resource – Dorling Kindersley did a series of historical books illustrated by Peter Dennis which are great.

I have been reading 'The Story of Burnt Njal'. It seems a lively affair in Iceland, with suggestions for feuds when playing Saga.

Why would "kids books" be inferior resources in the first place? I'm not aware that the research that goes into the best of them is any less reliable than the research that goes more in depth (adult level). Being geared for kids the pictures get emphasis, which is exactly what we want and need. Proving that we're still kids of all ages….

Btw, Njal was just trying to stay warm, and his neighbors were helping out. ;)

I got into Usborne books about 1977.The firs time I played wargames with rules.

Pretty spectacular into to gaming.

I have the knight book to from 1977

great book and games

Only the most sophisticated and innovative rules makers use children's books.

Gotten more solid input from Grimm, Anderson, and M.Goose than anything out of Will & Ariel and Delbruck.