Bailey, Jacqui; Lilly, Matthew (Ill.). The Birth of the Earth. (A Cartoon History of the Earth). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2001.

The Birth of the Earth is the first volume in the series. The book begins with an explanation of the Big Bang that started the universe about 13 billion years ago, followed by information on the creation of the solar system, including how the stars and planets grew, and how Earth became a place where life could develop etc. Cartoon illustrations and brief text with slang expressions are sure to attract children, especially cartoon fans. The children learn the history of the Earth and have fun doing so. The book also includes an index and a glossary to help children to understand terms. This book is suitable for children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12.

Bailey, Jacqui; Lilly, Matthew (Ill.). The Dawn of Life. (A Cartoon History of the Earth). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2001.

The Dawn of Life is the second volume in the series. The book explores how various forms of life developed, first in the oceans and later on land, until the emergence of large reptiles. In other words, life started as jelly blobs, and went on to become fish, sea scorpions, swamp reptiles. Comic illustrations and engaging text make the story clear and interesting. This delightful book is designed for children in grades 3-7 or of ages 8-12.

Bailey, Jacqui; Lilly, Matthew (Ill.). The Day of the Dinosaurs. (A Cartoon History of the Earth). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2001.

The Day of the Dinosaurs is the third volume in the series. The book describes scientists' beliefs about the lives and times of dinosaurs. Cartoon illustrations depict the beginnings of warm-blooded creatures as well as the introduction of winged reptiles. How dinosaurs protected themselves from predators are explained. Some of the other creatures that lived at the same time are also discussed. Fun illustrations accompany easy text to present information in an entertaining way for children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12.

Bailey, Jacqui; Lilly, Matthew (Ill.). The Stick and Stone Age. (A Cartoon History of the Earth). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2001.

The Stick and Stone Age is the fourth volume in the series. The book tells the story of the beginning of mankind. Cartoon illustrations accompany a clear and engaging text which pictures the different types of mammals that lived in prehistoric times, and illustrates how early apes developed into humans and how people lived during the Stone Age. This delightful book is designed for children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12.

Gonick, Larry; Huffman Art. The Cartoon Guide to Physics. New York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1991.

The Cartoon Guide to Physics uses both text and funny illustrations to explain velocity, acceleration, explosions, electricity and magnetism, circuits etc. It also addresses the history and some of the well-know principles, such as a taste of relativity theory. This book will be suitable for students in grades 10-12 or of ages 15-18. And it is an excellent way to help high school ESL students in their physics class.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures in Ancient Egypt. (Good Times Travel Agency). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2000.

Adventures in Ancient Egypt is the first book in the Good Times Travel Agency series. The authors Linda Bailey and Bill Slavin are cleverly teaching kids the history of ancient Egypt through the exciting adventures of the Binkerton kids. The Binkerton siblings, twins Josh and Emma and preschool Libby, stumble into the Good Times Travel Agency, and when the children open the guidebook - their adventure begins. They take a trip back to ancient Egypt. Slavin's colourful comic illustrations artfully combine historical information and the adventure story. Kids in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12 will enjoy reading these lively books and learning about ancient history.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures in the Middle Ages. (Good Times Travel Agency). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2000.

Adventures in the Middle Ages is another volume in the Good Times Travel Agency series. The kids Josh, Emma, and Libby revisit the travel agency, and a trip to the Middle Ages awaits. They immediately discover that medieval life isn't all knights in shining armour and stately pageants. The comic illustrations suit the text well and are packed with details. Children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12 will love reading this book.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures with the Vikings.(Good Times Travel Agency). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2001.

Adventures with the Vikings is the third book in the Good Times Travel Agency series. The Binkerton kids have already experienced ancient Egypt and the Middle Ages. Now, the kids are off on another adventure, this time to Scandinavia in the time of the Vikings! The authors always find clever ways to narrate the story, such as having the Vikings encounter a storm at sea and call on the god Thor in order to talk about Viking religion. Slavin's comic illustrations are not only entertaining, but also incorporate a great deal of historical information. Children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12 will enjoy following the fun and exciting adventures of the Binkerton kids. They would also learn a lot about the Vikings.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures in Ancient Greece.(Good Times Travel Agency). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2002.

Adventures in Ancient Greece is the fourth book in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Filled with humor and fun illustrations, this book takes kids on a brief trip to Greece at the time of the inception of the Olympic games. Children in grades 3-6 or of ages 8-12 will love this book. The story line is exciting, and the information is well-researched.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures in Ancient China. (Good Times Travel Agency). Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2003.

Adventures in Ancient China is the fifth book in the Good Times Travel Agency series. The story starts with the adventure of the Binkerton kids in the Good Times Travel Agency. Josh and Emma have no intention of entering the Good Times Travel Agency, but Libby is lured to the store by the smell of Chinese noodles. While they are enjoying the noodles, a book - a guidebook - is taken off the store's shelves and the kids are magically transported to ancient China - the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago. The kids experience life in ancient Chinese society. The story ends when, following the guidebook, the kids safely returned to their modern life. As other books in this series, the book can be read in two ways: following the fun adventures of the three kids to find out more about ancient China, or reading the guidebook from page to page to learn about the people, place, and customs in ancient Chinese society. This story is full of humor and well-researched historical information. Children in grades 3-6 or ages 8-11 will have fun reading this great educational book.

Bailey, Linda; Slavin, Bill (Ill.). Adventures in the Ice Age. Toronto, ON: Kinds Can Press, 2004.

Adventures in the Ice Age is the sixth book in the Good Times Travel Agency series. The three Binkerton siblings, Josh, Emma and Libby travel way back to one of Earth's Ice Ages. The authors bring the children into an important period of the historical world through an exciting adventure. Adventures in the Ice Age is a fun book. The exciting story and colourful cartoon illustrations will delight children in grades 3-7 or ages 8-12.

Kuitenbrouwer, Peter; Spires, Ashely (Ill.). Our Song: The story of O Canada, the Canadian National Anthem. Montreal, PQ: Lobster Press, 2004.

Our Song: The Story of O Canada... is the first book in the My Canada series. The book is presented in a graphic novel style. The story tells children about the 100-year evolution of the Canadian National Anthem from 1880 when O Canada was first written with its French lyrics, through to its final changes in 1980. The beautiful illustrations bring the history of our national anthem, "O Canada", and a century-long time line of Canadian history to life for children in grades 2-5 or ages 7-10.

DeCervantes, Miguel; Eisner, Will (Adapter). The Last Knight: An Introduction to Don Quixote. Now York: Nantier, Beall, Minoustchine Pub., 2000.

Will Eisner presents readers in grades 4-7 or of ages 9-11 with a brilliant adaptation of Cervantes's Don Quixote. Eisner's adaptation show Don Quixote as a clownish madman whose escapades are slapstick and pointless. Filled with humor and insight, the author offers a small version of the Don Quixote's life using both colourful pictures and textual narrative.

Tolkien, J. R. R.; Dixon, Charles (Adapter); Sean Deming (Adapter); Wenzel, David (Ill.). The Hobbit: An Illustrated Edition of the Fantasy Classic. Now York: Ballantine Books. 2001.

This adaptation of Tolkien's fantasy is illustrated in full colour and accompanied by the abridged text of the original novel. This book will introduce new generations to a magical creation and it will appeal to readers of all ages. It also is an excellent book for the ESL readers, particularly those who have difficulty reading such a classic in English.