The Story of the World
Susan Wise Bauer's four-volume, read-aloud world history for elementary and middle grades, from ancient times to the modern age. Add the Activity Book, or the new Instructor Guide and Student Workbook for Volume 1, to make each volume a full year of history and geography.
What is The Story of the World?
The Story of the World is a four-volume world history series by Susan Wise Bauer, published by Well-Trained Mind Press since 2001. It tells history as a story, written to be read aloud to young children. Each volume covers one era, so a family moves through all of world history in four years.
It's a core part of the classical approach described in The Well-Trained Mind, but families of many styles use it as a history spine.
How it works
A typical week has two or three sessions:
- Read a chapter aloud, or play the audiobook.
- Ask the review questions and have your child narrate the story back.
- Do the map work from the Activity Book or Student Workbook.
- Optionally, read a library book from the lists or do a hands-on project.
Each session takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Projects, like making a model or cooking an ancient recipe, add more time. Several kids can share the same read-aloud and do work at their level.
What it covers
| Volume | Era | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Ancient Times | Earliest nomads to the last Roman emperor | 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition (2026), grades 1–4 |
| 2: The Middle Ages | Fall of Rome to the Renaissance | Revised edition with Activity Book |
| 3: Early Modern Times | Elizabeth I to the forty-niners | Revised edition with Activity Book |
| 4: The Modern Age | Victoria's empire to the end of the USSR | Revised edition with Activity Book |
The new Volume 1 adds two chapters on East Asia, ten new biographies and new maps. Its Instructor Guide includes narration scripts, sample answers, 40-plus new activities and updated reading lists.
Who it's best for
It fits families teaching grades 1 to 6, kids who love stories, and parents who want to teach several ages together. Families wanting an explicitly Christian history may prefer The Mystery of History. Families wanting literature-rich units might like Beautiful Feet Books. Browse all history curriculum.
Pricing at a glance
Prices vary by format. As of October 2026, the Volume 1 text is about $14 to $25 on sale, the Instructor Guide about $23 to $26 and the Student Workbook about $13 to $15. Orders over $150 ship free in the contiguous US.
Can a scholarship or ESA pay for it?
Often. Curriculum books are a common eligible category; Florida's PEP handbook, for example, lists curriculum and instructional materials. Each program decides. Check your state, such as Arizona or Florida, or start at our scholarships hub. Save The Story of the World to your wishlist and apply once on Edulist.
How it compares
- The Mystery of History is chronological like SOTW, but written from a biblical worldview with activities for all ages.
- Beautiful Feet Books teaches history through living books and a teacher guide.
- Notgrass offers open-and-go Christian history courses with full-color texts.
- Tapestry of Grace is a deeper, multi-level classical unit study.
See our best homeschool history curriculum picks, or browse classical homeschool curriculum.
Who The Story of the World is for (and who it isn’t)
Best for
- Classical homeschoolers following a four-year history cycle
- Families teaching grades 1–6 history together
- Kids who love stories and audiobooks
- Parents who want ready-made narration and map work
Look elsewhere if
- Families wanting a strictly secular text that leaves out religious stories
- Families wanting an explicitly Christian, providential history
- Parents who want workbook-only, no-prep history
The Story of the World pros and cons
Pros
- Engaging, conversational narrative kids remember
- Covers all of world history in four years
- Flexible: text, activities, tests and audio sold separately
- Excellent audiobook option for car time
- Volume 1 newly expanded with more world history coverage
Cons
- Few illustrations in the main text
- Projects take planning and supplies
- Volumes 3 and 4 get heavier for young children
- Not a complete text for older middle schoolers on its own
What’s included
- Four volumes: Ancient Times, The Middle Ages, Early Modern Times, The Modern Age
- Narrative chapters written to be read aloud to young children
- Activity Books with review questions, narration prompts, maps, projects and reading lists
- Volume 1 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition with new Instructor Guide and Student Workbook
- Optional tests and answer keys for older students
- Audiobooks (MP3 and Yoto card), coloring pages and review worksheets
How much does The Story of the World cost?
As of October 2026, Well-Trained Mind Press lists most Story of the World items on sale, with prices that vary by format (PDF, paperback or hardcover). For Volume 1, 25th Anniversary Expanded Edition: the text runs about $14.41–$25.46, the Instructor Guide $22.91–$26.31, the Student Workbook $12.71–$15.26, tests and answer key $10.16–$12.71, and the audiobook $16.99–$23.76. Revised-edition Activity Books for the other volumes run about $26–$37.
Prices from the provider, checked 2026-10-13. Always confirm on the official site.
Future opening updates
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View wishlistWhat parents say
A summary of public parent feedback we read on forums, app stores and review sites. It is not a set of Edulist family reviews.
Reviewers summarized by HomeschoolTools consistently describe Story of the World as engaging and narrative-driven, and well suited to younger children. Common drawbacks: minimal illustrations, activity-book projects that take real planning and supplies, and a point of view that strictly secular families and some Christian families both find doesn't quite fit.
Common praise
- Conversational tone works well for young kids
- Clear chronological four-volume structure
- Activity guides are well regarded
Common complaints
- Minimal illustrations in the text
- Projects require significant planning and supplies
- No explicit biblical worldview for Christian families seeking one
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The Story of the World FAQs
What grades is The Story of the World for?
Well-Trained Mind Press calls it suitable for early and middle grades. Volume 1 is listed for grades 1 to 4, and the series overall fits about grades 1 to 6. Older students can add the tests and outside reading.
What do I need to buy for Story of the World?
The text plus the Activity Book makes a full year. For Volume 1's 25th Anniversary Edition, the Activity Book is split into an Instructor Guide and a Student Workbook. Tests and the audiobook are optional.
Is Story of the World Christian or secular?
Neither, exactly. It is not written as a Christian, providential history, but it includes Bible stories and world religions as part of history. Some secular families and some Christian families feel it doesn't fully fit their views.
What's new in the 25th Anniversary Edition of Volume 1?
Two new chapters on East Asian history, ten new biographies, more on Rome, the Han dynasty and the Silk Road, new maps and illustrations, a reordered chapter sequence and a new audio recording.
Do I have to start with Volume 1?
No. Each volume stands on its own, and there's no placement test. Many families start Volume 1 in first grade and move one volume per year, but older kids can start with the era they're studying.
How long does a Story of the World lesson take?
Most families read a chapter, narrate and do map work in 30 to 45 minutes, two or three times a week. Optional projects add more time.
Can I use ESA funds for Story of the World?
Often, since curriculum books are a common eligible category. Each program decides, so check your rules and save The Story of the World to your Edulist wishlist.
Sources and last checked
Checked 2026-10-13 against these sources: