The Story of the World Volume 1 Expanded Edition
A captivating, story-based history curriculum that turns world events into epic adventures—perfect for curious kids who’d rather time travel than memorize dates.
$21.95
Quantity:
2026 First-Grade Curriculum Kit
The Story of the World Volume 1 Expanded Edition
Ancient history covers thousands of years, dozens of civilizations, and enough rulers, inventions, wars, and empires to make anyone's head spin. This Expanded Edition turns that complexity into story-driven history covering world events from 5000 BC through 400 AD.
Students explore early nomads, Egyptian pharaohs, Greek culture, Chinese dynasties, Roman rulers, and the civilizations, people, and events that shaped the ancient world through narrative lessons designed to help children understand how history connects.
Designed primarily for grades 1–6, Volume 1 serves as the starting point for Susan Wise Bauer’s four-volume world history series.
Expanded Edition updates include:
- Ten new mini-biographies featuring historical figures such as Spartacus, Draco and Solon, Zhang Heng, and Shammuramat
- Expanded illustrations and updated maps
- New content covering China, Korea, the Silk Road, King Herod, Masada, and more
- Improved formatting that more clearly distinguishes myths, historical narrative, and ancient texts
Families can read aloud together, assign independent reading, or combine the text with the optional workbook, audiobook, student workbook + instructor guide set, and test book for a more complete history program.
The Story of the World is not faith-based but introduces important historical figures, cultures, and religions throughout world history. Families who prefer additional worldview discussions can easily expand conversations as topics arise.
How to Use The Story of the World Volume 1: Ancient Times Expanded Edition
- Most families read one or two chapters each week, either aloud together or independently, depending on their student's age and reading level.
- After each chapter, ask your child to retell what happened. Narration helps students organize new information, strengthen comprehension, and remember historical events without requiring additional materials.
- Encourage questions while reading. Ancient history introduces unfamiliar cultures, governments, inventions, religions, and historical figures, and discussion often helps students connect events together more naturally.
- A pace of approximately three chapters every two weeks allows most families to complete the book within a typical school year while leaving room for review, discussion, and occasional rabbit trails into favorite topics.
Whether reading a few pages at bedtime, using it as your primary history curriculum, or assigning independent reading, the goal is simple: help your child see ancient history as one connected story rather than disconnected names and dates.
This read-aloud series is designed for parents to share with elementary-school students, or for older readers to enjoy alone. Introduce your child to the marvelous story of the world’s civilizations!
- New chapters on the Silk Road, the rise of the Roman Republic, Han China, ancient Korea, Herod the Great, and more
- 10 new mini-biographies on fascinating men & women of the ancient world
- 20 new illustrations and maps
- Updated text incorporating the latest archaeological and historical discoveries
- Teaches world history from 5000 BC to 400 AD
- From the earliest Nomads to the last Roman Emperor
- Storytelling approach to history
Author: Susan Wise Bauer
Number of Pages: 349
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Well-Trained Mind Press
Edition/Copyright: 2026, Expanded Edition
Made In: USA
ISBN: 978-1-944481-82-7
Consumable: No
Faith-Based: No
The Old Schoolhouse Excellence in Education WinnerFind answers to the most frequently asked questions about this product below:
New Features in The Story of the World: Volume 1 – 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition (Main Text):
• The same engaging storytelling and readability that children love
• Two new chapters on East Asian history
• Additional material in the existing chapters on key historical events, including: The rise of the Roman Republic, The beginning of the Han dynasty, The Silk Road, The rule of Herod the Great and the siege of Masada
• Ten new biographies of fascinating historical figures (Spartacus, Zhang Heng, and more)
• Twenty new illustrations and maps
• Updated pronunciation guide
• New chapter order for better chronological flow
• Clearer formatting, distinguishing ancient texts, myths, and stories from historical narrative
And for customers who want to turn The Story of the World into a full History & Geography curriculum:
Instructor Guide (formerly the front half of the Activity Book):
• Now fully organized into lessons for easier planning
• Parent scripts for narration, review, and mapping exercises
• Sample answers for narration prompts and review questions
• Updated and expanded reading recommendation lists, combining the best of the classics with the best of what's been published in the past 25 years
• 40+ brand-new activities
• Specially designed group activities
• Cross-curricular challenges connecting history to science, math, writing, and more
• Suggested memory work and field trip ideas
• Low-prep, no-prep, and movement activities
Student Workbook (formerly the back half of the Activity Book):
• Dedicated student pages
• Puzzles, game boards, craft templates, and other interactive activity pages
• Suggested memory work activities
• Map exercises to teach the geography of our world
• New coloring pages
What This Means for You:
We believe the 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition will be a bestseller, just as the classic edition has been. You'll want to plan ahead for stocking it in early 2026.
Please Note:
The new edition is not compatible with the older (2001/2006) editions, or with their activity books or MP3 audiobooks.
Families can successfully begin with whatever time period most interests them. Some families prefer starting with ancient times and unraveling the story sequentially until modern times. Yet because the full scope of history is taught repeatedly up through high school, it is okay to skip volumes, knowing that the same events will be covered later.
One difference between the two series is their target age. The Story of the World is primarily for elementary students, with Volume I recommended for 1st through 4th grade and Volume IV for 4th through 8th grade. The Mystery of History's reading level begins at about 4th or 5th grade in Volume I and progresses to 10th or 11th grade in Volume IV, although it is easily adaptable for multiple ages.
Another key difference is the religious perspective. The Story of the World aims to narrate from a neutral perspective. It covers major religious characters and historical events but does not endorse a particular religious view. The Mystery of History is written from a clearly Christian perspective and integrates biblical and church history into the text.
A minor difference between the two series is the student work involved. The Story of the World revolves around the narrative, so all activities, while engaging, are optional. The Mystery of History is also narrative-based but expects more student work. Nonetheless, it is highly adaptable to each student's age and family preferences.
Throughout history, religion has played a major role in shaping the world for significant reasons:
- Religion has shaped the development of civilizations. Many of the world's major civilizations, such as ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, were founded on religious beliefs. Religion has also played a role in law, government, and education development.
- Religion has been a source of conflict and violence. Wars have been fought over religious differences, and religious persecution has been common throughout history.
- Religion has influenced art, music, and literature. Religious themes have been a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers for centuries.
In short, religion is mentioned in world history because it has greatly shaped human societies and cultures throughout history. Religion has been a complex and multifaceted force in human history, and its influence continues to be felt today.
To get the Famous Figures book that goes along with Story of the World Volume 1, you'll want to order Famous Figures of Ancient Times.
Customers earn Doodle Dollars for reviewing products they've purchased, and some promotions add an entry in a prize drawing. Rewards never depend on the rating given.
- April 20, 2024
Love the delivery
Tabitha E.
I love this history curriculum because it can be as intensive or simple as you want. Sometimes I would use the audio file and hand them a sheet to color and other times I would read the lesson myself and we would do the maps and some of the extra suggested activities. I love that I dont feel guilty either way.
- July 24, 2023
Lovely, Diverse History Book
Anna F.
My 2 favorite things about this book: 1) It's diverse. You don't just learn about European history! I learned so many new things about Indian/African/Chinese history while reading this aloud to my first grader. 2) It's written in storytelling format, but so even without pictures (which admittedly would be a huge plus) it holds a young child's attention.
- May 20, 2023
WOW
stacey m.
My son loves to listen to The Story of the World. He has made connections about culture around the world. We also enjoy listening to the CD when we go on road trips. Every time we listen/read we learn something new.
- March 15, 2023
love this history curriculum
Bina
We love this book because we're able to use it when we go to the park and such and do history. We do have the audible version but it's so nice to also have the book version too.
- March 13, 2023
Great history book
Jen
I like that this book is written more like a bunch of stories put together rather than a textbook. I’m using it for my third grader right now and I think it is a good age for it, or even older. I think any younger we would have had a hard time. I like that the chapters are short. We will be getting volume 2 next.
- February 28, 2023
We've completed the entire series!
Kaitlin T.
No regrets here! As someone who struggled with history, i had no idea how i could successfully teach my kids. With an easy to follow time line and story format, it was so easy to follow and my kids loved it! My eldest even picks it up sometimes just for a fun read.
- February 6, 2023
Better than I Imagined
Tasha G.
I will be honest, when I first opened up this book I was very skeptical. How was my 1st grader supposed to comprehend all this information? Once we got started I was amazed to say the least. Not only was she comprehending the information, but she was having fun doing it. The stories don't shy away from the truth, so expect some talk about death and even murder. But they do it in a way that isn't overly detailed and just presents the facts.
- February 3, 2023
Great Book
Kristen F.
Reading this book makes me rethink my own education on how much stuff I never was taught about the world as a child. This book is incredible! My daughter absolutely loves it. She loves learning about Egypt and how society started. We are halfway through the book now and we are now starting to learn about greek history. My daughter can’t wait until the end of the year so she can re-read some of the stories on her own time. I thought this book was going to be boring and drawn out, but it really is a great book. We will definitely be buying volume 2 next year.
- December 11, 2022
Solid option.
Hayes
There aren't a ton of secular history programs that I have found. This is a good book. It does what it's meant to. Nothing super amazing and exciting, but it shared the story of the World to children.
- July 11, 2022
Got an extra!
Aerie B.
Im not sure if these kits always come with an extra book but mine did somehow and so im writing this review just to say thanks for an extra it was nice to have a book for myself and for my kid. Thank you timberdoodle!
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