Book cover of 'A History of the World in 25 Cities' with colorful text on a red background

Illustrated poster titled 'Cities of Tomorrow' with various scenes and text on a white background.

Illustrated map of Athens on a purple background

Educational poster about life in Beijing, China with illustrations and text.

The British Museum

A History of the World in 25 Cities

£16.99

Beautifully Illustrated
Made To Treasure

Journey through time and discover how cities shaped our world

From the ancient walled city of Jericho built over 10,000 years ago to the bustling modern metropolis of Tokyo, this stunning book reveals how 25 extraordinary cities have shaped human civilisation. Each beautifully illustrated map invites children to step into a specific moment in time—exploring Athens during the birth of democracy, walking the lamp-lit streets of medieval Benin deep in the West African rainforest, or discovering life in China's long-lost capital city of Xianyang.

Award-winning authors Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin, working with specialist curators from the British Museum, bring each city to vivid life through Libby VanderPloeg's luminously detailed artwork. Every carefully researched map is followed by fascinating pages revealing what daily life was really like for the people who lived there, complete with captivating facts and figures that bring history into focus.

With its striking neon cover and large format, this is more than a history book—it's a treasure trove that children will return to again and again, discovering new details and stories with each visit. From every inhabited continent on Earth, these cities tell the remarkable story of human ingenuity, creativity, and connection across the ages.

Suitable for ages 9-12, perfect for curious minds who love exploring the world.

Format: Large-format hardback
Pages: 112
Dimensions: 29 x 25cm

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Further Information

What's Included: Large-format hardback with 112 pages featuring 25 detailed city maps and accompanying historical information.

About the Creators: Tracey Turner and Andrew Donkin are award-winning children's authors who have written extensively about history and geography. Libby VanderPloeg is a celebrated illustrator whose map obsession began during family road trips studying atlases.

Partnership Details: Created in consultation with specialist curators at the British Museum, ensuring historical accuracy and scholarly depth.

Awards & Recognition: Shortlisted for Waterstones Book of the Year 2021, Longlisted for Association of Illustrators World Illustration Awards 2022.

Cities Featured: Jericho, Memphis, Athens, Xianyang, Rome, Constantinople, Baghdad, Jórvík, Benin City, Tenochtitlán, Granada, Beijing, Venice, Delhi, Cuzco, Amsterdam, Sydney, Paris, London, Bangkok, Saint Petersburg, New York City, Berlin, San Francisco, Tokyo, plus explorations of Cities of Today and Cities of Tomorrow

Product Specifications

SKU: 9781788006712

Publisher: Nosy Crow (in partnership with The British Museum)

Authors: Tracey Turner & Andrew Donkin

Illustrator: Libby VanderPloeg

Format: Large-format hardback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 29 x 25cm

Age Range: 9-12 years (suitable for sharing with wider age range)

Cover: Stunning neon cover design

Why we like it

This book captures something magical about how cities are really layers of stories built up over centuries. What we particularly appreciate is how it doesn't just show you what cities looked like, but helps you imagine what it felt like to live there - from the sounds of Ancient Rome to the bustle of 1930s New York.

The partnership with the British Museum brings real depth, while Libby VanderPloeg's illustrations make every page feel like a treasure map waiting to be explored.

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Rated Excellent on Reviews.io

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The British Museum

Founded in 1753 as the world's first free national museum, The British Museum brings together cultures from across the globe under one roof. Each product in their children's collection transforms learning into adventure, connecting young minds with fascinating stories from human history and diverse cultures worldwide.

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