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Usborne Titles Recommended in The Well Trained Mind

The Well Trained Mind, a book by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, serves as a resource for parents wanting to educate their children according to the classical model of education. This is the book that convinced my family to make the plunge into homeschooling. Here's a list of Usborne homeschool books recommended the WTM curriculum.

Well Trained Mind - Grades 1-4

History:

Usborne Book of World History -- This colorfully illustrated volume provides a simple introduction to world history from the first civilizations to the early 20th century. Each civilization, period or event is described in short, highly visual chapters that provide a stimulating starting point and insight into the history of different peoples and cultures around the world. The geographical time chart shows what was happening in different parts of the world at similar times, and there is an extensive index and a list of suggestions for further reading.
History of the Twentieth Century -- This valuable reference source looks back on the age that has brought us space travel, television and nuclear power. It includes biographies of world leaders and sections on science, technology and culture with photographs, illustrations and maps that bring the times to life.
Internet-linked Encyclopedia of World History -- The Well Trained Mind Student will find the history of the world from the beginning to the year 2000, covering the major civilizations, rulers and events. The book paints vivid picture of everyday life over thousands of years and includes: Clear descriptions of historical events -- Reconstructions of exciting scenes throughout history -- Fascinating illustrations -- Over 100 maps -- 12,000-year illustrated time chart.
Living in Castle Times -- A fascinating introduction to medieval history for young Well Trained Mind students, this book is designed to simulate the imagination, while broadening an understanding of the past. Focused on the fictitious character of Thomas, the simple text combined with colorful and detailed pictures brings to life the everyday world of people over 600 years ago.
What Were Castles For? -- Who built them? Where did people who didn't live in castles live? These are just two of the questions the Well Trained Mind student will find tackled in this look at medieval living. Packed full of fun, facts and illustrations about everyday life in castle times, this book has the answers.
Who Built the Pyramids? -- What were pyramids for? Why are they so big? These are just two of the questions the Well Trained Mind student will find tackled in this look at ancient Egypt. Packed full of fun, facts and illustrations about everyday life in the land of the pharaohs, this book has the answers.
Who Were the Romans? -- "What was the Roman army like?" "Did the Romans have parties?" "Did they have painkillers?" These are the kinds of questions the Well Trained Mind student will find asked and answered in Who Were the Romans? Packed full of fun and facts about everyday life in Ancient Rome, this is the sort of book the Well Trained Mind student will dip into to find out about one thing...and end up reading from cover to cover!
Who Were the Vikings? -- Why were people so afraid of the Vikings? Why were some buried in boats? These are just two of the many questions tackled in this enjoyable look at the Vikings.
Who Were the First North Americans? -- Did they really send smoke signals? What was a Powwow? These are just two of the questions the Well Trained Mind student will find tackled in this look at the Native American peoples. Packed full of fun, facts and illustrations about everyday life in early North America, this book has the answers.

Music:

First Book of the Recorder -- This is a simple and colorful guide to playing the descant recorder, for absolute beginners of any age. Friendly cartoon characters explain how to play each note, and provide an entertaining introduction to reading and understanding music.
Piano Course Book 1 -- The Usborne Piano Course has been specially designed for young beginners, aged five and up. Carefully graded tunes and straightforward exercises allow children to advance at a steady pace, with friendly cartoon characters to explain musical terms and give helpful hints about how to play. Book One starts with very simple tunes for separate hands, and introduces notes one at a time. By the end of the book, Well Trained Mind students will be able to play easy tunes with both hands together.

Science:

Earth and Space -- Take an amazing trip across planet Earth and explore its vast oceans , life-giving atmosphere and fiery heart. Wll Trained Mind students can also travel through space, from the beginning to the end of the universe, and discover exciting new worlds. Clear explanations of hundreds of scientific terms. Illustrations and photographs in breathtaking close-up detail.
Electricity -- This highly successful series has now been completely revised and updated in the light of new discoveries made in recent years. Exciting scientific topics and concepts are explained to the Well Trained Mind student in a clear visual style, with straightforward text, which instantly arouses interest. Safe, simple projects and experiments reinforce understanding.
Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Natural World -- This richly illustrated encyclopedia contains detailed information on over 600 species of animals and plants, and the environments in which they live. Arranged thematically, full of interesting details and with over 1,500 color illustrations, this book is easy and thoroughly absorbing to use. It examines subjects such as ecology and conservation, and provides projects and activities to help the Well Trained Mind student observe and understand the natural world. An extensive index, a glossary of scientific terms, a map and classification chart complete this invaluable reference book.
Jets -- This highly successful series has now been completely revised and updated in the light of new discoveries made in recent years. Exciting scientific topics and concepts are explained in a clear visual style, with straightforward text, which instantly arouses interest. Safe, simple projects and experiments reinforce understanding.
Life on Earth -- This friendly, informative book is a fascinating introduction to plant and animal life for Well Trained Mind students. The clear text and colorful illustrations give simple, scientific explanations to questions such as How does a bird fly? What makes a flower grow? Why do tigers have stripes? and Where did dinosaurs go? There is lots of fascinating information about other aspects of plant and animal life, and simple activities for the Well Trained Mind student to do at home.
Science in the Kitchen -- This colorful book is packed with exciting scientific activities, from blowing bubbles to making soft drinks and invisible ink. The experiments are safe and easy to carry out, using ordinary household equipment. They are all carefully designedto help young children explore the fascinating scientific world of the kitchen. Usborne Science Activities is an innovative series which responds to the growing emphasis on scientific exploration for Well Trained Mind students.
Science with Water -- This colorful book is packed with exciting scientific activities designed to help Well Trained Mind students explore the intriguing properties of water. All the experiments and tricks are safe and eay to carry out, using ordinary household equipment. Real examples show how people exploit water for transport, power and so on. Usborne Science Activities is an innovative series which responds to the growing emphasis on scientific exploration for children.
Spotter's Guide: the Night Sky -- Usborne Spotter's Guides are pocket-sized and packed with information -- so don't leave home without one. From comets to constellations, and stars to satellites, this book will help the Well Trained Mind student to recognize what they see in the night sky. With sky maps and hundreds of interesting facts about our solar system, this is a valuable aid to any star-gazer.
You and Your Body -- This bright, colorful book describes each part of the body and the job it does and poses the questions Why do people eat? Where do babies come from? Why are people different? and What makes you ill? In simple language and with colorful pictures and diagrams it describes the growth of a baby from conception to birth, the foods, vitamins and minerals the body needs to stay healthy and the role of bacteria, viruses and fungi in causing disease.

Well Trained Mind - Grades 5-8

History:

Knights and Castles -- Take a journey back in time to the year 1240 to meet Baron Godfrey and his family, knights and servants. Watch a cathedral being built, see how a squire becomes a knight and read the adventures of soldiers returning from a Crusade. Lively text and cartoon-style artwork bring the characters to life and show the Well Trained Mind student what it was really like to live in medieval times.
Rome and Romans -- Put on your magic time travel helmet and you will be whisked back to Ancient Rome. The year is AD100, and Rome is the biggest and most splendid city in the world. Through the adventures of a wealthy businessman named Petronius, and his family, you will find out exactly what everyday life was like. Watch gladiators fighting and charioteers racing, enjoy a feast, visit the baths, and march into battle with the Roman army. The Well Trained Mind student will even find out how to make a mosaic and fire a catapult.
The Usborne Book of Kings and Queens -- Did you know there was one king who ruled for 94 years, or that one of the youngest monarchs ever, Pu Yi, became Emperor of China at the age of two? The Usborne Book of Kings and Queens looks at rulers from all over the world, from the earliest times right up to the present. It explores their lives from coronations to funerals, examines their palaces, monuments and regalia, exposes royal scandals and intrigues, and explains unsolved mysteries. Photographs, maps and artwork illuminate the lives of these extraordinary rulers.
The Viking World -- The Vikings terrorized the people of Europe for three centuries, and became the most feared pirates in history. This book looks at the way the Vikings lived and followed their voyages from the British Isles to Baghdad, Istanbul and North America. Packed with pictures, maps and charts.
Make This Model Egyptian Temple -- Only a pair of scissors, a craft knife and a tube of glue are needed to transform this book into a superb, historically accurate model of an Ancient Egyptian temple. The carefully designed model contains all the elements of a classic New Kingdom temple: the monumental gateway, courtyard, columned hall, inner sanctuary and priest's house.
Make This Model Viking Settlement -- A superb model of a Viking settlement. There are 16 houses, all crammed with historically accurate detail, and two trading ships, one of which is under construction to show the Viking method of boat-building. There are also over forty cut-out figures including merchants, traders and townspeople, to recreate scenes of everyday life in this bustling riverside settlement.
Make this Model Castle -- It takes only a little care and patience to build this superb model castle, and the end result is well worth the effort. The carefully designed cut-out pieces really do fit together and the finished castle is sturdy and full of fascinating historical detail. Included with the model are over forty cut-out figures of the Baron and his wife and children, knights, men-at-arms and servants, which can be used to recreate scenes of everyday castle life. This model fits with the Medieval Town, Village and Cathedral models in this series.

Science:

Stars and Planets -- Exciting scientific topics and concepts are explained in a clear visual style, with straightforward text, which instantly arouses interest in the Well Trainded Mind student. Safe, simple projects and experiments reinforce understanding.

Art:

Complete Book of Drawing -- This is an inspiring guide to drawing and painting which will appeal to both beginners and those wishing to improve their skills. It shows the Well Trained Mind student how to draw and color a huge variety of different subjects, in styles ranging from cartoon to collage, using a number of ingenious and effective techniques. All of the beautifully finished pictures are accompanied by step-by-step sketches which show how to build up the picture in stages. A useful reference section provides details of artists' materials, what sort of picture style they are suited to, and how to use them to maximum effect.
Story of Painting -- The Story of Painting begins in ancient times and looks at how styles and techniques have changed over the centuries. The main styles are identified for the reader and explained to the Well Trained Mind student in simple terms. Brilliantly colorful picture reconstructions are combined with photographs of paintings to give a vivid impression of how the world's famous artists lived and worked.

Well Trained Mind - Grades 9-12

Illustrated Dictionary of Science -- This incredible dictionary features 384 pages of pure information and is an essential resource for all Weel Trained Mind students studying biology, chemistry and physics. Completely redesigned and updated, this classic Usborne bestseller provides clear definitions in straightforward language of all key terms and concepts. It also features comprehensive cross-referencing between related areas of study and a detailed index while clear diagrams and illustrations strip away the complexities of difficult scientific concepts