(4) 4-6 Graphic Library: Cartoon Nation series. Illustrated by Charles III Barnett. Here's a painless introduction to U.S. government: basic facts are interspersed with anecdotes supported by cartoons (e.g., the president and his Cabinet squished all together into a cabinet; a candidate on a treadmill "running" for reelection). One only wishes all the supplemental info boxes, sidebars, and definitions didn't create such a visual racket. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Graphic Library: Cartoon Nation titles: The U.S. Congress, Political Elections, and The American Presidency.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Graphic Library: Inventions and Discovery series. Illustrated by Ron Frenz & Charles, III Barnett. The life of this snowboarding pioneer, from recreational "Snurfer" (snow surfer) to entrepreneur, is told in comic-book format--an apt match of form and content, as the exhilaration of the sport is well captured by the colorful panel art. An afterword acknowledges that no one knows who invented the first snowboard and gives a broader overview of the sport's history. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: David Elzey