There were several volumes I relied on heavily and would recommend to your library:
Chronological and Background Charts of the Old Testament and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament by John H. Walton.
I also liked the Holman Bible Atlas and the Holman Book of Biblical Charts, Maps, and Reconstructions.
Of course, many details were inspired by works published by the Biblical Archaeology Society’s magazine, Biblical Archaeology Review. Seeing the objects and artifacts that link us to these stories gives shape to the times and makes the characters more accessible. Biblical texts have been taken or adapted from the New International Version and THE MESSAGE.