Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

This is a beautiful elementary history book about ancient Rome. I enjoyed it, and I think that younger students will, too!

This book is definitely a good starter about the Roman Empire but just summarized into topics. The tips provided new information and I liked them. It's a good cursor on things you want to know about Ancient Rome to research further on the net. It was interesting to know that a lot of stuff were made by the Romans which we will continuously use in the future as well.

I've read each of these fact files before posting the reviews and since they're technically almost the same books, though just with different topics, my reviews may be similar to each other.

What I liked about these fact files was that they were short and to the point. The art is simple but childishly cute and it was nice that they covered the whole page.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with the digital copy for an honest review.

This is my second book in the series and it is as informative and fun to read as the first one ( My first Fact File Weather).
I beleive clear organisation and accessible text are extremely important when you are dealing with the civilisation that lasted more than 2000 years and has had a lasting impact on our world. The book deals with the main periods in Roman history:the beginnings, the republic and the empire. As you would expect a fair deal of attention is given to the army, weapons and battle tactics roman generals employed in order to expand their empire.There was more to the Roman world than just the never ending war and conquest, as we are reminded in the chapters that deal with the society, entertainment, arts, clothes, food and drink, and, of course, famous baths. There is also information on Roman beliefs and the rise of Christianity in the late period.
What distinguishes this book is the practical activities and projects that make learning about Roman civilisation a hands-on experience e.g.create a mosaic, build a mini catapult or make a shield. I also loved little vignettes with quick and quirky facts that make these various aspects of ancient life more entertaining and memorable.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ivy Kids (quarto Publishing Group) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

Very informative book on many aspects of Ancient Rome! This was my first of the series, and if this book is any indication of the rest of the series, I will definitely be adding them to my children's library! I especially like all the pictures and the quick fact boxes. Perfect for children!

Don’t let the title fool you. While it might be a fact file designed for little ones, it’s quite comprehensive and would be a perfect starting point for anyone completing a GCSE in Classics.

I received an electronic ARC from Quarto Publishing Company through NetGalley.
Excellent book in this series. Information is presented in simple to follow format for upper elementary level readers. The illustrations provide further explanation to match the text. Holland takes the readers through the formation of Rome to the split into two empires. He shares about the people and customs and provides background text as well. Activities for readers are also included.

Thanks to Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the Advance Review Copy in exchange for an honest review

This is a really nice little fact book for younger children interested in the Romans. The information is presented through the use of simple text and vibrant imagery and covers many different facets of Roman Life. This would be a great book to use as a starting point for a school project about Ancient Rome.

What I particularly liked was the range of projects and activities interspersed throughout the book. They were simple enough so that even non crafty children can engage with them.

Overall, a nice little fact file which is elevated by the add on activities.

This book is part of a series, My First Fact File. This is the first one that I have read and all indications are that these entries will be interesting and informative.

Many topics are introduced and described in two page spreads; for each, there are illustrations that enhance the text. For example, the founding of Rome, the forms of governing, the army, the family and roles of women, entertinments, arts, food, engineering etc. are all discussed. Often there is a "quick fact" such as this one on public toilets. Young readers will learn that there were benches that held up to 20 people. There was no privacy but lots of time to gossip. There are also suggested projects that will reinforce and enhance learning. One project is to build a weapon called an onager, others are to design the placement of important buildings in the forum and to elaborate on the kind of emperor the reader would want to be.

I found this book to be easy to read, entertaining and yet also a book that will teach children a lot about an important civilization that still influences us today. Readers will learn about the Roman Alphabet, calendar and numbers for example that are still in use.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I look forward to reading more entries in the series. This one deserves a place in both school and home libraries.

This continues my four book review in the 'My First Fact File' series today. This is about ancient Rome. Now I've read a book about Rome by a man named Holland, I do expect to see a future book about those Nederlanders written by someone named Rome! Just kidding. I've actually visited Rome, so I have a real appreciation for the history, although of course modern Rome is worlds away from what it was at the height of the Roman empire back in the early second century.

This book will quite effectively take you back there, though. Written with some knowlegeable detail by Simon Holland with consultation from Matthew Nicholls, and finely-illustrated by Adam Hill (who gets to draw hills! The seven hills of Rome! This is poetry in motion, I tell you) this book covers everything a young mind needs to know, from the founding of Rome, the mythology and the actual - to the growth of the Republic, the empire, the Roman soldiers, their weapons, armor, battle tactics and conquest, through everyday life, including homes, engineering, cities, arts, society, childhood, how Rome kept itself fed, to entertainment and religious belief. In short, everything you need to know to get a solid grounding in ancient Rome.

There are, as usual in this series, small, inexpensive and easy projects for children to undertake to get a hands-on feel for some of the aspects of life discussed, including making a shield and a catapult, to designing a city, a home, and thinking about what policies you would implement were you the emperor of your own home! If this doesn't stir your child's mind I do not know what will. I commend it as a worthy and educational read.

My First Fact File Ancient Rome is a wonderful book. I learned a tonne about Rome in an easy to understand way with colourful illustrations. Rome is a fascinating place in history, with the last still evident in today’s societies.

I think this style of learning tool could really help anyone learn in an enjoyable and easy way. The book is interesting and interactive. I want the whole set for me and my kids!