(3) 4-6 How-to Guides for Fiendish Rulers series. Illustrated by Ryan Pentney. These first-person how-to guides purport to instruct the reader on being a "fiendish" ruler. In a conversational and tongue-in-cheek tone, these books present historical facts about how kings, pharaohs, shoguns, and emperors managed their realms. Illustrations emphasize the comical, using exaggerated facial expressions, postures, and speech balloons to good effect. Humor aside, the books still provide solid information about past royal life. Ind. Review covers these How-to Guides for Fiendish Rulers titles: An Emperor's Guide, A King's Guide, A Pharaoh's Guide, and A Shogun's Guide.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Following the events of Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life, immortal teen pharaoh Tutankhamun searches modern-day DC for his "brother" Gilgamesh; he finds that Gil has been kidnapped by Egyptian god Apep, who plans to "cast the world into eternal darkness." The story effectively blends humor and action and is enhanced by Tut's deep emotional investment in rescuing Gil. Games appended. Glos.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 Egypt's Ancient Secrets series. This series about ancient Egyptian culture focuses on things related to death: tombs, mummies, and monuments. While that may sound morbid, color photographs and illustrations in bright, eye-catching layouts offer an enticing entry point into this part of the culture. However, the repetitive nature of the topic and reuse of some graphics and information across the series are drawbacks. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Egypt's Ancient Secrets titles: Ghost Ship, The Great Pyramid, King Tut, The Sphinx, Tomb Robbers, and Valley of the Golden Mummies.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Egypt's Ancient Secrets series. This series about ancient Egyptian culture focuses on things related to death: tombs, mummies, and monuments. While that may sound morbid, color photographs and illustrations in bright, eye-catching layouts offer an enticing entry point into this part of the culture. However, the repetitive nature of the topic and reuse of some graphics and information across the series are drawbacks. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Egypt's Ancient Secrets titles: Ghost Ship, The Great Pyramid, King Tut, The Sphinx, Tomb Robbers, and Valley of the Golden Mummies.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Egypt's Ancient Secrets series. This series about ancient Egyptian culture focuses on things related to death: tombs, mummies, and monuments. While that may sound morbid, color photographs and illustrations in bright, eye-catching layouts offer an enticing entry point into this part of the culture. However, the repetitive nature of the topic and reuse of some graphics and information across the series are drawbacks. Reading list. Bib., glos., ind. Review covers the following Egypt's Ancient Secrets titles: Ghost Ship, The Great Pyramid, King Tut, The Sphinx, Tomb Robbers, and Valley of the Golden Mummies.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Building by Design series. The author presents a brief history of the three most noted Egyptian pyramids, providing pertinent information related to their construction and modern use. Details about planning, design, selection of location, and the search for appropriate building stones for these engineering marvels are included. Stock photographs, diagrams, direct quotes, and sidebars provide clarity. "Fast Facts" and critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(4) 4-6 A selection of Egyptian myths and stories (and even some history, though it's hard to distinguish) are retold in accessible, humorous text. Comic panels help contain the tales, with the illustrations applying a cartoon aesthetic to ancient Egyptian art styles. A running story line following a cat's adventures provides additional levity (but doesn't add much to the stories themselves).

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Bee Willey. In this takeoff of Aesop's "Lion and the Mouse," the part of the lion is played by an unnamed prince (historical events point to Thutmose IV). The prince frees a trapped mouse who promises to help him in the future. The synthetic-looking illustrations offer mixed results, as the humans don't fit well with the background scenery.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Yoko Tanaka. Theodosia heads to Egypt with her mother on an archaeological dig. While trying to evade the Serpents of Chaos and keep the Emerald Tablet safe, Theodosia befriends a boy who just might be the last in a line of Egyptian pharaohs. There's plenty of magic and intrigue to keep series fans interested in this fourth installment.

Reviewer: Lisa Catherine Findlay

(4) 4-6 Talibah finds Cairo disappointing--until she and her brother visit an archaeological site. There they uncover a scheme to expunge female pharaoh Hatshepsut from Egyptian history. Though the writing is occasionally clunky with historical exposition, the story pays consummate attention to detail and plotting. Occasional sketches of sites and artifacts are included throughout. An author's note helps sort fact from fiction.

Reviewer: Thom Barthelmess

(2) 4-6 Translated by Alexis Siegel. Illustrated by Emmanuel Guibert. This graphic novel is part farce, part Victorian melodrama, with a generous splash of noir. It starts with Lillian Bowell on the arm of her nattily dressed mummified beau, Pharaoh Imhotep IV. The unlikely couple embarks on some offbeat adventures, brought to life with Guibert's skillful brushwork and shadowy muted palette. This French import will wow graphic novel aficionados and newcomers.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2007

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Christina Balit. Khepri, the scarab beetle represented in Egyptian paintings and artifacts, saves a prince's life. Told from the beetle's perspective, the first-person narrative is generally forced ("I wished I could cry out, 'NO!' If the prince went down there, he would die"). The colorful illustrations depict a tapestry of Egyptian symbols and objects, and an afterword provides some historical background.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt