Glen Blackwell - History Through Today's Eyes

Half term fun - proper family time with some bits of history thrown in too (obvs 🤣)

So I do hear this from time to time 😀 In short, I love to write, but I also love sharing interesting bits of history too. I found history a bit boring at school, so by creating punchy 10 minute episodes on different topics, I hope others will be encouraged to listen and learn 🤞

So pleased to see my little history podcast, started as an experiment to make history a bit more interesting in school has reached 1,000 streams 😊 Not a load by some standards, but I'm well chuffed!

Took the girls to the local library today. Books for free, order anything they don't have, even sit and read for a while? Truly magic!
Don't forget your local library for budget reading. Plus authors get a few pennies each time you borrow a book - so winning all round really 😀

If you are teaching the Romans this year, then History Through Today's Eyes has a new podcast episode for you. In all the usual places, including Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/0blL...

Just a pond I'd walked past loads of times... or not. This is the crash site of a B17 bomber in 1945 from a nearby airfield. It crashed on take-off after suffering engine failure, with 5 of the 9 crew sadly killed. Last month this lovely memorial was dedicated at the site.

As we remember the terrible tragedy of the Holocaust today, spare a thought too for those kind people who organised the Kindertransport - rescuing almost 10,000 mainly Jewish children from Europe in the days before WW2.

I love the little nuggets you find when researching a book - like the fact that Bethnal Green tube station was incomplete in WW2 and the tracks were boarded over to provide sleeping accommodation as an air-raid shelter. There was even a library and theatre inside!

Watched a couple of episodes of this last night and remembered how much I loved it back in the day. On reflection, I'm pretty sure this is where I got my fascination with WW2 time travel 🥰

Some of my favourite WW2 middle grade books. All have a slightly different slant to some of the commonly read class texts and would be good for a teacher wanting to switch it up this term.

History is all around us and doesn't have to just live in books. You can see and touch it on a walk not far from your house. I wonder who waited for invasion in the pillbox, hid from bombs in the air-raid shelter and worked in the ROC plotting room...?

As an author, I feel privileged (and also responsible) in helping encourage children to read. This year, the National Year of Reading can hopefully shine a stronger light on this amazing activity and those who champion it. These are my focus areas this year.

So, 5 free copies of The Blitz Bus downloaded so far, plus 3 99p copies of the other books. Promo going well so far 😀 If you fancy a free read - amzn.to/48zhyfZ

I enjoyed posting these copies of my books to some disadvantaged pupils nominated by teacher followers 😍

The sound of the planes gliding made the Germans think of witches on broomsticks and they nicknamed these women the "Night Witches" as a result. Strange but true!🧵2/2

During WW2, the Soviet Union had a regiment of female pilots who flew night raids against German forces. To maintain the element of surprise, they would switch their engines off as they approached their target. 🧵1/2

Totally agree - podcasts are a really accessible way to hear about new books 😀

Teachers - do you have any reluctant or disadvantaged readers in your class?
I like to give away a few books at Christmas where the need is greatest - if you would like to nominate a pupil, please DM with their first name & reason. I'll pick some and contact those teachers to arrange sending out. 📚🎁

Why, as a children's author, do I like writing podcast episodes too? Simple - I love to blend education with entertainment. If I write fiction with an educational slant, then hopefully I can also create podcast episodes helping children understand key moments from history.

🎙️New episode alert🎙️
Bitesize introduction to life in Victorian London - suitable for KS2.
open.spotify.com/episode/7Mnh...

Planning some writing today, using the 3 Act Method. I always liken it to a rollercoaster (hence the line on the page) as it helps me build the tension in the right places 📚

This gas lamp is powered by.... farts!
Sited in Carting Lane, just off the Strand, it is London's last surviving sewer gas lamp - designed to burn off excess methane built up in the Victorian sewer system. These days though, it burns biogas from a sewage treatment works instead.

My 9 year old shunning the obvious pasta and pizza for her 'make an Italian dish' homework and is now trying to make cannoli!

Educating our children today on the decisions and consequences of the past is the best way ensure all those who suffered are not forgotten. We can then hope this leads to a better tomorrow.
Here are some favourite books which I feel give a rounded view on WW2.
#RemembranceSunday

...was sent to retrieve the airmen. Around 50 of these buoys were anchored in the Channel during 1940, as the Battle of Britain reached its peak. 🧵2/2

Fancy a hotel with a sea view?
For German pilots shot down over the Channel during WW2, this rescue buoy would have been a welcome sight. Equipped with 4 bunks, rations and electric light, it could provide safe accommodation until a seaplane or rescue launch... 🧵1/2

Looking for a new half term read??? The Disappearing Diamond is a classic Victorian adventure but with a twist - Jack and Emmie are from the present day! How will they navigate 1850's London to find the stolen diamond and get home again???

Look really carefully and you'll see the front doors have no letterboxes and the windows are painted over. Apart from that, you'd never know that these fake houses are just 1.5m thick! Fascinating history in plain sight. 🧵3/3