Books with author Richard Tames

This is the perfect introduction to chess for children from the age of seven upwards. The book contains 30 short lessons, starting with learning about the board and the pieces, then the moves of each piece in turn, then the vital concepts of check, checkmate and stalemate, and finally basic strategy and thinking skills. Quizzes and puzzles reinforce what the children learn.The book uses the characters of the 7-year-old twins Sam and Alice who are always arguing and fighting. They decide to join the army where they are told about an impending invasion of aliens from the planet Caïssa. The outcome of the invasion will be decided by a game of living chess. During their lessons they learn about the battlefield and the different types of soldier and get to play the part of each in turn.

Step back in time to ancient Greece and discover the spectacular achievements of an adventurous civilization. Delve into everyday life to find out what the Greeks ate, where they lived and what clothes were fashionable. Find out about the gods they worshipped, the heroes they admired and the politicians who made history. A selection of 15 practical projects helps to bring the past alive - reconstruct the Parthenon, make a comic mask and learn the Ancient Greek alphabet. The projects are shown in specially-commissioned step-by-step photography and will make learning stimulating, exciting and fun, either at home or in the classroom.