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Dr Barnardo and the Copperfield Road Ragged Schools. Tom Ridge. £6.00

Barnardo is rightfully famous for his Homes for Destitute Orphans and Children, but it was his work setting up the Ragged Schools – free schools for the poor – where his missionary work began. Written by local history expert and the museum’s founder, this book takes the reader on a ride through the late 1800s and details the lives of the thousands of children who were schooled at the Copperfield Road Ragged School.

Horrible Histories: Vile Victorians. Terry Deary with illustrations by Martin Brown. £8.00

It’s history with the nasty bits left in! A romp through London’s filthy Victorian past. The foul facts about Queen Victoria, Victorian food, childhood, schools, games and toys, working conditions and homelife.

Chimney Child – A Victorian Story. Laurie Sheehan with illustrations by Gillian Marklew. £7.50

A novel for children about the grim life of a London ‘climbing boy’, Vic, and the wealthy Albert. Vic and Albert become much needed allies when things take a turn for the worse and Dr Barnardo comes to the rescue. Mudlarks, Newgate Prison, Barnardo’s Homes and London smogs all play a role in this wonderful little book that gives children a sense of what life in London was like in the 1870s.

Dr. Barnardo. Laurie Sheehan. £7.50

Tom Barnardo was a plain, small, sickly child who rose to be one of the best-known Victorian figures, dedicating his life to helping the poorest of the poor. This book is the story of the man, told in a simple, compelling and historically accurate manner for children. Perfect for school assignments!

Ben’s Limehouse – recollections by Ben Thomas. £7.75

Born the youngest of seven into a Thames Lighterman’s family in 1907, this personal account of growing up by the river in Limehouse is a real treat. You can almost hear Ben’s voice telling you his stories as the pages are turned. Full of characters, adventures and memories of an everyday life that no longer exists. The book covers the period up to 1920.

A Dictionary of Victorian London – An A-Z of the Great Metropolis. Lee Jackson. £16.00

A fascinating expose of everyday life in the Great Metropolis--this wonderful book is filled with quotations from original nineteenth century sources, offering advice on everything from Advice to Tourists, Calisthenics, Gambling Houses, Hair Sellers, Pleasure Gardens, Ragged Schools, Servants and Underground Stations. With striking and often very funny commentary throughout, it makes a fabulous contribution to the many books about the Victorian era on offer.

Victorian Cookery – Recipes & History. English Heritage. £11.00

A beautiful little book detailing Victorian recipes used when cooking for the dinner party (Calf’s Foot Jelly anyone?), the everyday (Irish Stew) and of course, for Charity (Poor Men’s Pies). The History section looks at cooking methods and tools and also at service, settings and manners. The book is illustrated throughout with both Victorian illustrations and photographs of the dishes.

Mrs. Beeton’s Easy Everyday Cooking. £9.00

Dine we must, and we may as well dine elegantly as well as wholesomely, so said the great Lady of the kitchen. Revolutionising the world of cooking, Mrs Beeton’s recipes were designed from the start to be reliable, delicious and economical. So, whether it’s Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Goulash, Soups, Kedgeree or Trout with Almonds you’re after – this book will show you how it’s done. Not a history book, but a cookbook which should keep you well fed for many years.

Childhood – The Way We Were. English Heritage. £13.00

A beautiful and evocative photographic book about the changing face of English childhood. Intimate and telling, these full page black and white images of country children wandering down lanes, others paddling in a stream with their trousers and pinafores rolled up and Victorian children waiting outside public houses are all a delight.