Richard Platt
Author of Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess
About the Author
Richard Platt has written more than 30 books, and he has been a children's author since 1992
Series
Works by Richard Platt
DK Illustrated Book of Great Adventures: Tales of Real-Life Adventurers Throughout History (1999) 96 copies, 1 review
As One Devil to Another: A Fiendish Correspondence in the Tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters (2012) 53 copies, 3 reviews
Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross Sections of Everything (Stephen Biesty Cross Sections) (2020) 46 copies
Inventions Explained: A Beginner's Guide to Technological Breakthroughs (The "Your World Explained" Series) (1997) 22 copies
Would You Believe... Two Cyclists Invented the Aeroplane?!: and Other Transport Triumphs (2010) 18 copies
Would You Believe... In Mexico People Picnic at Granny's Grave?! And Other Dynastic Delights (2010) 17 copies, 1 review
Would You Believe... In 1400, Reading Could Save Your Life?!: and Other Academic Advantages (2009) 17 copies, 1 review
Would You Believe... In 1500, Platform Shoes were Outlawed?! and Other Fashion Follies (2007) 17 copies
Would You Believe... The Losers Were Killed in Mayan Football?: And Other Perilous Pastimes (2007) 14 copies
Would You Believe... A Circus Horse Could Count?!: and Other Extraordinary Entertainments (2009) 11 copies
They Wore What?!: The Weird History of Fashion and Beauty (Weird History) (2007) 11 copies, 1 review
Pirates! Discovery Kit 4 copies
Pragas, Peste e Pestilência 2 copies
Vorsicht, ansteckend! – Die ekligsten Krankheiten der Geschichte: Informatives illustriertes Sachbuch ab 9 (2021) 2 copies
Ki hitte volna...? ...hogy 1400-ban a betűk ismerete életet menthetett? érdekességek az iskolák világából (2011) 1 copy
Ver por dentro 1 copy
The noblest profession 1 copy
Wah! Ternyata ... #3 1 copy
Invenções 1 copy
Maanlanding 1 copy
Great dictator of Rome 1 copy
Conhecer por dentro 1 copy
Wah! Ternyata... #1 1 copy
Eyewitness Shipwreck 1 copy
Associated Works
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Birthdate
- 1953
- Gender
- male
- Short biography
- Richard Platt has published more than 100 books, 32 of which were for DK. He has written on almost every topic you can imagine, but is particularly interested in the history of science and technology, and social history. He has become a bit of an amateur expert on the subject of life at sea, smuggling, and piracy. Most of his books are illustrated information books for children, but he has also written stories for children and several for adults. Some have won prizes, including the Smarties silver prize, and a Blue Peter award. Richard also writes TV scripts and museum interpretation, and he has appeared on TV and radio.
- Nationality
- UK
- Birthplace
- Northumberland, England, UK
- Associated Place (for map)
- England, UK
Members
Reviews
Opening in January of 1285, this work of picture-book historical fiction chronicles one year in the life of Tobias Burgess, a knight's son who sets out for his uncle's castle, there to become a page. Presented as a diary, the story here follows Toby as he learns what life in a castle is like, and becomes accustomed to his new duties, from waiting upon his aunt, Lady Elizabeth, to studying Latin with the Chaplain. There are adventures as well, as he goes on his first hunt, sees his first show more jousting tournament, befriends a poacher, and participates in a great feast for a visiting earl. When Christmas comes, he learns that his father is coming to take him home for a visit. The book closes with a detailed afterword giving more information about Toby's time...
British author Richard Platt has penned four of these historical diaries, one of which, Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht, so impressed me that I decided to seek out the others. Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page was every bit as informative and entertaining as that other volume, and appears to be the first of the four titles published. It pairs an engrossing story of a young boy who finds himself in a new situation, and must struggle to find his feet, with detailed and immensely entertaining illustrations from artist Chris Riddell, whose many illustrative projects include Paul Stewart's middle-grade fantasy series, The Edge Chronicles. I liked the mix of fictional and non-fictional elements here, with enough of a story to make this entertainment, and enough information to make it educational. I'd recommend it to middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction, or are interested in medieval castles and knights. It would make an excellent additional text in a study unit on the medieval period in European history. show less
British author Richard Platt has penned four of these historical diaries, one of which, Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht, so impressed me that I decided to seek out the others. Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Page was every bit as informative and entertaining as that other volume, and appears to be the first of the four titles published. It pairs an engrossing story of a young boy who finds himself in a new situation, and must struggle to find his feet, with detailed and immensely entertaining illustrations from artist Chris Riddell, whose many illustrative projects include Paul Stewart's middle-grade fantasy series, The Edge Chronicles. I liked the mix of fictional and non-fictional elements here, with enough of a story to make this entertainment, and enough information to make it educational. I'd recommend it to middle-grade readers who enjoy historical fiction, or are interested in medieval castles and knights. It would make an excellent additional text in a study unit on the medieval period in European history. show less
Opening in 1465 BC, in the eighth year of King Hatshepsut's reign, this engaging work of picture-book historical fiction follows the story of Nakht, the son of an ancient Egyptian scribe. Presented in diary format, the book follows Nakht and his family - mother and father, sister Tamyt, faithful servants, and feline companion Myt - as they move from the small town of Esna to the bustling city of Memphis. Here Nakht's father works as a scribe, while Nakht himself attends scribal school. In show more addition to all of the day-to-day events of their lives, Nakht and Tamyt play a role in capturing a ring of tomb robbers, and win an audience before the king herself...
One of four such historical picture-book diaries from Platt - the others include Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter and Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107 - Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht is both entertaining and educational, presenting a child's-eye view of life in ancient Egypt, and exploring everything from the duties of various kinds of scribes and officials to the ways in which food was prepared and the afterlife was viewed. I'm on something of an Ancient Egypt kick at the moment, and have been tracking down various children's book about the subject. This was an engaging addition to my shelf, and featured some fascinating information, an engrossing storyline, and appealing watercolor illustrations from David Parkins. I appreciated the mix of fictional and non-fictional elements, and think this title would work very well as a supplement in a study-unit on Ancient Egypt. For my own part, I enjoyed it enough that I plan to track down the other titles, mentioned above. Recommended to children who enjoy historical fiction and/or are fascinated by Ancient Egypt. It's a picture-book, but very text-heavy, so I'd say it would work best for middle-grade readers, or for younger children with a good attention span, when listening to read-alouds. show less
One of four such historical picture-book diaries from Platt - the others include Castle Diary: The Journal of Tobias Burgess, Pirate Diary: The Journal of Jake Carpenter and Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107 - Egyptian Diary: The Journal of Nakht is both entertaining and educational, presenting a child's-eye view of life in ancient Egypt, and exploring everything from the duties of various kinds of scribes and officials to the ways in which food was prepared and the afterlife was viewed. I'm on something of an Ancient Egypt kick at the moment, and have been tracking down various children's book about the subject. This was an engaging addition to my shelf, and featured some fascinating information, an engrossing storyline, and appealing watercolor illustrations from David Parkins. I appreciated the mix of fictional and non-fictional elements, and think this title would work very well as a supplement in a study-unit on Ancient Egypt. For my own part, I enjoyed it enough that I plan to track down the other titles, mentioned above. Recommended to children who enjoy historical fiction and/or are fascinated by Ancient Egypt. It's a picture-book, but very text-heavy, so I'd say it would work best for middle-grade readers, or for younger children with a good attention span, when listening to read-alouds. show less
As One Devil to Another: A Fiendish Correspondence in the Tradition of C. S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters by Richard Platt
from Deborah:
As One Devil to Another, written by Richard Platt, is a loofah sponge of a book. It can be appreciated by evangelical Christians for the personal scrubbing it provides as well as the scouring of current culture. Those who don’t hold to a traditional orthodoxy will find it anywhere between enlightening, irritating, or repulsive. For anyone who is interested in how evangelical thought perceives the interplay of the physical and spiritual worlds, this would be a fascinating way show more to begin.
The writing is a homage to C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, a correspondence between a senior demon and his assigned junior charge. The exchange of letters in Lewis’s work would be nicely paired with Platt’s for reading. Absurdities in modern thought are laid bare while the demons dissect the best way to lead an individual away from his creator and benefactor. The book is sprightly in tone and strangely hopeful as Lewis’s observation is echoed: Satan can only distort pleasures; it is only God who can create them.
Whether you agree or disagree with evangelical thought, this is a good primer for it. show less
As One Devil to Another, written by Richard Platt, is a loofah sponge of a book. It can be appreciated by evangelical Christians for the personal scrubbing it provides as well as the scouring of current culture. Those who don’t hold to a traditional orthodoxy will find it anywhere between enlightening, irritating, or repulsive. For anyone who is interested in how evangelical thought perceives the interplay of the physical and spiritual worlds, this would be a fascinating way show more to begin.
The writing is a homage to C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters, a correspondence between a senior demon and his assigned junior charge. The exchange of letters in Lewis’s work would be nicely paired with Platt’s for reading. Absurdities in modern thought are laid bare while the demons dissect the best way to lead an individual away from his creator and benefactor. The book is sprightly in tone and strangely hopeful as Lewis’s observation is echoed: Satan can only distort pleasures; it is only God who can create them.
Whether you agree or disagree with evangelical thought, this is a good primer for it. show less
This is a powerful and moving book which left me in tears as I turned the last page. It brought to life the tremendous sacrifices of our troops in opposing the aggression of the German Nazis and Japan in World War II.
I know this book was written for children, but I read it because I felt compelled to learn more about the Normandy invasion when I saw this book before its release in my Little Free Library. I was fascinated, mesmerized, and terrified by the story and pictures.
It did what i show more wanted it to do. It significantly added to my knowledge of the Normandy invasion, how it was conceived, how it was executed, and how it affected the world.
I recommend this book highly for all ages, and I'm in my seventies! show less
I know this book was written for children, but I read it because I felt compelled to learn more about the Normandy invasion when I saw this book before its release in my Little Free Library. I was fascinated, mesmerized, and terrified by the story and pictures.
It did what i show more wanted it to do. It significantly added to my knowledge of the Normandy invasion, how it was conceived, how it was executed, and how it affected the world.
I recommend this book highly for all ages, and I'm in my seventies! show less
Lists
Sonlight Books (2)
At the Library (1)
Awards
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Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 150
- Also by
- 9
- Members
- 11,530
- Popularity
- #2,040
- Rating
- 4.0
- Reviews
- 94
- ISBNs
- 705
- Languages
- 25
