What it was like to be an Ancient Maya: (Book 3 What It Was Like to be …)

Embark on a captivating exploration into the rise and fall of the rich and colourful Maya civilisation with Blue Peter Award winning author David Long. Largely forgotten for centuries, the ancient Maya were incredible. Their cities across Central and South America featured astonishing pyramids and palaces, while they were also successful farmers and highly creative artists. The Maya were the first people in the Americas to learn how to read and write, and they invented things like rubber, chocolate and chewing gum. They had a deep understanding of astronomy, mathematics and timekeeping, though they also had some horrible, bloodthirsty traditions such as making human sacrifices. Find out what life as an Ancient Maya was actually like while also investigating why this mysterious civilisation was close to dying out when the region was conquered by Spanish conquistadors in the sixteenth century.

About the Author :
David Long is a journalist and author of non-fiction for both adults and children. A writer since leaving university, his work has appeared in the Sunday Times and London’s Evening Standard. His engaging non-fiction reflects his unquenchable thirst for fascinating stories from the past, and in 2017 his book Survivors won the Blue Peter Award for the best book with facts.

Review :
"A captivating introduction to Mayan civilisation" – BookTrust's Summer Reading Picks, Daily Express "Fascinating and informative non-fiction … The black-and-white artwork which features throughout enables children to visualise some of the unfamiliar aspects of Maya life and culture." — BookTrust "Long’s concise and thoroughly entertaining account brings the Maya’s fascinating civilisation into focus, allowing a deeper understanding and appreciation of their often forgotten culture. With all the intriguing facts and mysteries of their lives brought to vivid life by Stefano Tambellini’s rich artwork … this is a dazzling addition to a top class series from a dynamic writing and illustration duo." – Lancashire Post "With excellent illustrations throughout, well-organised chapters in accessible language describe how Mayans built pyramids, houses, roads and reservoirs, combined maize, beans and squash production, more about chocolate, rubber and chewing gum, their society, dress, religion, astronomy, maths, calendars, clocks and writing, and lack of wheeled transport … Excellent read for ages seven and older and suitable for reading aloud." – The School Librarian "Jam packed with detailed information about the Ancient Maya their culture, society, inventions and religion. Accessible, interesting, well presented and perfect for schools." – A Library Lady, blog "Teachers are often looking for books to support an Ancient Maya topic. This … is just what they need – perfect to aid teachers’ subject knowledge and to engage and inform children age 9+." – Kate Heap, Scope for Imagination “David Long excels at telling intriguing stories from the past” – The Independent on David Long