(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby time-travel to ancient Greece, where they finally arrive at the Olympics--Josh's goal--after various encounters with Greek culture. Graphic-novel style cartoons illustrate their adventures, and speech balloons enclose anachronistic dialogue. Sidebars provide relevant factual information. The premise is obviously a stretch but should engage readers effectively. Reading list, websites. Ind.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Via magical guidebooks, twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby travel back through time to the Viking Age and the Han Dynasty. They get a tour of various aspects of life (and encounter mild dangers) in these civilizations before safely making it home. Presented in graphic-novel format, the stories and images are appealing, although the factual information running across the bottom of each page distracts from the time-travel narratives. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: On the Run in Ancient China and Stowing Away with the Vikings.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(4) 4-6 Time Travel Guides series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Previously published in the Good Times Travel Agency series. Via magical guidebooks, twins Josh and Emma and little sister Libby travel back through time to the Viking Age and the Han Dynasty. They get a tour of various aspects of life (and encounter mild dangers) in these civilizations before safely making it home. Presented in graphic-novel format, the stories and images are appealing, although the factual information running across the bottom of each page distracts from the time-travel narratives. Reading list, websites. Ind. Review covers these Time Travel Guides titles: On the Run in Ancient China and Stowing Away with the Vikings.

Reviewer: The Horn Book, Inc.

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Using the contents of an average student backpack--e.g., gym clothes, lunch, homework, cellphone--this book examines each item's "ingredients," how they are manufactured, and how the items can be recycled. Thought-provoking charts, such as one evaluating the ecological footprint of e-readers versus paper books, as well as humorous cartoon art illustrate the approachable text. Reading list, websites. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey

(4) K-3 Great Idea series. Illustrated by Bill Slavin. This brief, uneven look at Tesla's inventing career begins with his 1884 arrival in America and ends rather abruptly with his 1896 Niagara Falls hydroelectric plant. Although focusing on Tesla's famous conflicts with Edison, his rivalry with Marconi--who was credited with inventing the radio but used Tesla's ideas--is glossed over in an endnote. Droll pen-and-ink drawings capture the era.

Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. In his sixth adventure, dog Stanley rounds up his pals to discover what school is all about and why the kids go there every day. And in the pooch-created chaos, Stanley realizes they go to school "to eat and run." Predictable plot turns won't separate this one from the pack, but Stanley's fans will enjoy his antics, enlivened in textured acrylics.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin & Esperança Melo. After his attempts to score cool points fail, new-toad-in-town Thomas sets his sights on being a bully, figuring it will win him popularity; it doesn't. Instead, he tries friendship, tricking a true bully into leaving a little toad alone. Humor abounds here, but Thomas is no stooge: the studied acrylics make vivid the evolution of his thinking.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin & Esperança Melo. This newly updated book presents an account of the Canadian flag's history, from a multitude of banners flown over different territories and provinces to the easily recognized maple leaf flag of today. The effort necessary to create a common flag for such diverse regions is emphasized. Peppy illustrations depict historical events with a light tone. Suggestions for activities are appended. Websites. Ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Upper-elementary math fans (and teachers) will enjoy the many hands-on activities in this compilation of Ross and Slavin's three earlier books about squares, triangles, and circles--and their related solid shapes. Numerous details (historical, architectural, geographical, etc.) are woven in among the projects and games--some of which are quite challenging (e.g., making a sundial). Chapters include diagrams and cartoonlike illustrations. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. A kindly frog helps a duckling conquer her fear of swimming by asking a variety of birds to tell her how they overcame their own fears. With its clever internal rhymes and amusing twist at the end, the jaunty poem is fun to read aloud; it delivers its message with a light touch. Painted in acrylics on gessoed paper, the textured illustrations lend the characters personality.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) YA Illustrated by Bill Slavin. The authors remind readers that we are alive today because our ancestors survived the many plagues, epidemics, and pandemics that have swept earth since ancient times, until we began to discover ways to prevent, limit, and cure illnesses. Anecdotal stories personalize the facts; small, amusing cartoons add visual interest. A final chapter reminds us that pandemics are with us still. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Gail Hedges

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin & Esperança Melo. A rabbit student daydreaming during geography class envisions seven color-themed bodies of water; for example, the Yellow Sea: "They say it's made of lemonade / and quite all right to sip." Vivid-hued (bordering on garish) textured paintings on gessoed paper illustrate the rhymes. Facts about real seas and oceans complete the somewhat amusing package. Reading list.

Reviewer: Martha Sibert

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Dog Stanley's fifth book finds him trying to befriend the new family cat. He's genuinely confounded when his chases, licks, and barks terrify the kitty, which earns him the wrath of his "people." It's all as gratifyingly funny as it sounds, with help from Slavin, who gives readers a dog's-eye view (humans are depicted from the chin down) of the slapstick misunderstandings.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Unfortunately named and dimwitted protagonist Bogbrush sets off atop his extra-small steed on a goofy quest to seek his fortune. The story's humor is very broad, with constant references to Bogbrush's ineptitude. Action, violence, and silliness are all mixed together in the text, frequently interrupted by sidebars and cartoony black-and-white spot art.

Reviewer: Betsy Murray

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Stanley's people take him to the local dog show. He and his pup pals wonder what the fuss--the bathing, blow-drying, and perfuming--is about; all they want to do is romp and eat the delicious-smelling prizes. How mischievous Stanley gets his wish, as shown in energetic, textured acrylic illustrations, is amusing.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. After rooster Gonzalo wins the lottery, he quits farmwork. He tries living in a Miami mansion and then as a Hollywood party animal, but the good life disagrees with him. This story, peppered with Spanish words and phrases, has a halfhearted point to make about humility, but it's mainly an amusement, with nearly every acrylic-on-gesso page a visual punch line. Glos.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. When begging at a family picnic doesn't work, hungry Stanley and his doggy friends set off in search of food. Lured by the enticing smell of ham, they scamper aboard a small boat and are quickly swept out to sea. Will their search end in dinner or disaster? Textured acrylics on gessoed paper capture in comic detail the canines' brush with catastrophe.

Reviewer: Cindy Lombardo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. While the misguided British authorities try to return Princess Purnah to boarding school, a criminal plots to kidnap her friends Robert and Emmaline. Averting such encroachments upon their freedom leads the three heroes, along with Aunt Lucy, Lal Singh, and a newly acquired robotic butler, on another series of madcap adventures, complete with more ill-designed aeronautic vehicles. Droll black-and-white illustrations highlight the shenanigans.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Returning with his memorable cast including Emmaline (a fourteen-year-old aspiring aeronaut), Rab (a nearly indestructible urchin), Aunt Lucy (an expert in culinary horrors), and Princess Purnah (a bloodthirsty displaced monarch), Whitehouse strings together a new set of attempted kidnappings, hair-raising chase scenes, and improbable escapes. Slavin's energetic line drawings further enhance this madcap mix of Dickensian London and Holmesian sleuthing.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bill Slavin. Each year Farmer Stolski's animals compete against the nasty Bush League Bandits in ice hockey, and each year they lose. This time around, despite the Bandits' cheating, the Farm Team triumphs--thanks to young chicken Mariette's quick pass and piglet Little Pete's winning goal. The story is somewhat drawn-out, but the dynamic textured illustrations capture the on-ice action.

Reviewer: Mark Adam