Review: Famous Figures of Ancient Times

In our current academic rotation, we have found that Famous Figures of Ancient Times serves as the perfect visual companion to The Story of the World. History can often feel abstract to a young child, particularly when the curriculum is text-heavy and light on illustrations. By cross-referencing my weekly lesson plans with this book, I can determine if there is a corresponding figure for the historical person we are introducing. It acts as a bridge between the narrative of the past and a tangible, physical representation that my daughter can interact with, truly putting a face to the names that shaped civilization.

The structure of the book is exceptionally teacher-friendly, featuring two versions of each historical figure: one pre-colored for immediate use and a second "color-your-own" version for the student. It even includes informational cards that provide a concise biography of each person, which we use to reinforce the week’s themes. To ensure the most logical flow, I actually removed this from our Timberdoodle online scheduler and manually integrated it into our history block. This allows us to assemble the figures exactly when they appear in our reading, rather than following a separate, disconnected timeline.

One minor logistical hurdle to note is that the book does not include the brass fasteners (or "brads") required to articulate the joints of the figures. While we fortunately had a surplus from a previous art kit, you will likely need to make a quick trip to an art supply store or a local Walmart to pick some up. If you are in a pinch, tape is a functional—albeit less mobile—alternative. I’ve also found that while my daughter loves the coloring phase, the physical act of pushing the prongs through the cardstock is a bit too taxing for her small hands, so I typically handle the final "assembly" of the joints myself.

The interactive nature of these figures provides a fantastic kinesthetic element to our social studies lessons. Once the figures are assembled, they aren't just stagnant decorations; they become puppets that my daughter uses to reenact the stories we’ve just read. This type of dramatic play is essential for long-term retention and makes the "boring" parts of history feel like a vibrant adventure. It turns a sedentary lesson into an active project that she looks forward to every time I pull the book off the shelf.

Ultimately, while I wouldn't necessarily label this a "foundational" requirement, it is an exquisite supplemental resource that elevates the entire homeschooling experience. It adds a layer of creativity and engagement that standard workbooks often lack. If you are looking to breathe some life into your ancient history curriculum and give your student a more hands-on connection to the past, I highly recommend adding this volume to your library. It has certainly made our history hours more memorable and much more fun!