My 4 year old son loves this book, we bought it after a Gladiator Day at Fishbourne Roman Villa earlier this year, it is longer than some other early readers and, as he loves Italian and Italy history it is interesting for him.The previous reviewer is right thought some of it is a little graphic for small eyes.

Does a young reader only just ready for 'longer stories' need details about how Commodus clubbed disabled audience members to death? Have the idea of slaves being forced to stab each other to death, and people enjoying watching this 'come to life' for him?Historical facts are one thing, springing them vividly on a child not yet old enough to have the foundations to deal with them, is another.This book is graphic in terms of both text and illustration. It absolutely needs to carry a warning for sensitive readers.Let's bear in mind that some children learn to read very early. But even as an adult I felt ill after reading it.My five year old unfortunately got traumatised by this book before I even realised what was in it: he has been exposed to (more careful) literature about gladiators before and given that he loves some of his other Usborne titles, it didn't occur to me to 'vet' it soon enough. He's not sleeping in his own room tonight, thanks Usborne. Likely not tomorrow either.To quote Seneca as quoted in this book, about the terrible effects of watching gladiatorial shows : "I come home more greedy, more ambitious, more cruel and more inhuman.'So, what do you think the effect is on very young minds, getting to 'watch' this via the book in a way that makes it so 'engaging'. ??I repeat: It absolutely needs to carry a warning for sensitive readers.