How to use books to inspire a passion for local history in the classroom

Author Susan Brownrigg shares her tips for bringing local history alive through stories. 

There are two key days I remember from primary school. The first was when as part of a topic on street furniture we went for a walk in the neighbourhood spotting old post boxes and date stones on houses. It made me appreciate for the first time that the echoes of history are all around us. 

The second was when a local theatre group came to deliver a living history day. We were divided into ‘families’ and acted out how we coped or didn’t during the Lancashire cotton famine. I felt a real connection to these people from the past and realised that history wasn’t just something in books and that it wasn’t only events that happened to rich people, or in big cities. 

That passion for history and telling stories led me into a career first in journalism, then in heritage education and now as a historical children’s book author. 

Being from a Wigan working-class family, I am especially driven to tell stories about ordinary folk and to shine a light on northern people, places and events in particular. 

Local history is a key focus in the current national curriculum for schools and one that can have a real impact on pupils. But researching lesson plans can also be quite time-consuming for teachers. Working with a historical children’s book author is a fun and quick way to introduce pupils to stories from their area’s past.  

There are so many excellent children’s book authors writing fantastic historical books today. Your local bookshop and library can advise on ones with a connection to your area.  

Another useful resource is the Time Tunnellers – a team of authors who write historical novels for children and teens (including me) who feature regular guest authors on our YouTube channel. Recent examples include J. P. Rose on Birdie, a brilliant book about a young girl trying to rescue a pit pony set in a Yorkshire mining village, and Tom Palmer on how his fantastic books, including Angel of Grasmere, are often inspired by the Cumbria fells. 

Children’s book authors will have done a lot of research into their topic. Their books package that information in an accessible way with fast-paced adventures seen through the eyes of their child characters. 

Shared reading in class can prompt discussion about how characters felt and lived as well as giving pupils a better understanding of a time period. Many books include an author’s note, glossaries and/or historical note whichdetails the inspiration for the book and other useful information. Some authors, including myself, also have additional free resources available for schools on their websites. I have downloadable writing challenges and blogs for teachers wanting further factual information, as well as videos.  

The books can also, of course, be used as starting points for literacy activities, with children writing letters, news reports or stories inspired by what they have read. 

You may even consider inviting the author to visit – in person or online. I love sharing my knowledge through assemblies, talks and workshops. I usually charge for these as they are a key part of my income, as for most authors. If school budgets are tight do look for funding and partnership opportunities with libraries, museums, charities, companies’ corporate responsibility grantsetc.   

It is also worth asking your local independent bookshop or the author’s publisher if there are any free promotional tours around the launch of a new book. 

As a former heritage educator working at National Trust sites across the north west as well as Learning Manager at a small museum, I discovered first-hand how enthusiastic children are about history when sessions are hands-on.I use this technique and knowledge when delivering talks and workshops for schools as a children’s book author. 

For my Gracie Fairshaw mysteries (set in 1930s Blackpool) talks and workshops I use authentic items and replica objects which children can handle. One of the most popular are the AromaPrime smell cubes. These come in a range of fragrances, including seashore and chips– instantly transporting pupils from the classroom to Blackpool. Most children from Lancashire will have enjoyed a daytrip to the resort and they love sharing their favourite attractions and experiences with me. I in turn tell them that many were just as popular in the 30s, including the Tower, the piers and the PleasureBeach funfair. I also use Talking Tins which allow me to capture sounds from the past which again have instant impact – children have loved and laughed at the sound of I do Like to Be Beside the Seaside played on the Wurlitzer. 

I also often take along my beloved collection of authentic Blackpool postcards which date from the early 20th century. Using magnifying glasses, children can pore over handwritten messages home, recognise familiar addresses and study photographs of the illuminations and other Blackpool landmarks. 

I also take along costume as children love dressing up as characters from the past. For my children’s book.Wrong Tracks – which is inspired by the 1829 Rainhill Trials steam locomotive competition –I have commissioned two authentic early railway era costumes for pupils to try on.  

That book centres around Edward Entwistle, a Tyldesley lad, who claimed in later life that at age 15 he drove Rocket, George and Robert Stephenson’s iconic steam engine. I am excited to team up with schools in the north west and north east to explore how their towns played a key part in the success of railways across the globe.  

Wrong Tracks by Susan Brownrigg is out now. 

Find out more about Susan and her books at susanbrownrigg.com 

https://www.youtube.com/@timetunnellers