This step-by-step video shows how to make an Ancient Egyptian sarcophagus or coffin from cardboard and salt dough. It can be adapted to make without the salt dough. The video is quite long but gives a detailed description of each stage and could be shown in parts at each stage of the make if preferred. It can be used as a creative part of the history topic on ancient Egypt and has been made in connection with the book Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb. The book is a story about the artists who were responsible for creating the decorations and art that was discovered in the tomb and is a great starting point for generating vocabulary and thinking about the contrast between the wealth of the pharaohs and the life of ordinary Egyptians. To find out about this and other Flea in History books go to the Reading Riddle website Further planning and ideas are available on the shop and through the website. Other books include Great Fire of London, Florence Nightingale, First World War and Space.

A craft activity to make a light linked to the topic of Great Fire of London and a resource by Kate Cunningham, author of Vlad and the Great Fire of London and the other Flea in History series. This video demonstrates step-by-step how to make the light. Resources needed include jar/bottle, battery operated tea light, cellophane/tissue paper, scissors, glue, pencil and ruler. Go to the Reading Riddle website for information about the other books, visits and resources. Other books include First World War, Tutankhamun, Space and Florence Nightingale.

Vlad and Tutankhamun’s Tomb is a story about Kel the tomb artist and the rush to prepare Tutankhamun’s tomb after his sudden and unexpected death. The illustrations show the methods and materials the artists used and this plan explains this and helps children understand some of the logistic and artistic challenges to painting the tombs. There are activities including the resources to recreate an illustration from the book and produce a large scale mural for the classroom wall. Finally, there is information about copyright - what it means, how to check it in a book and crediting artists and understanding that this is their livelihood.