Ineffective and misleading.
This comic-book–like synthesis of the Aztec empire surveys the history and culture of one of the major civilizations of pre-Hispanic Mexico.
The book touches on religion, architecture, education, the arts, and the Spanish invasion. Information is presented in concise paragraphs accompanying illustrated panels. The snappy dialogue within the speech bubbles has a decidedly contemporary slant. However, from the introductory assertion that Mesoamerica is a region of Central America to the foldout timeline that indicates that Cortés landed in Central America rather than Mexico—which happens to be in North America—the credibility of the content is suspect. Imogen Greenberg describes the Aztecs as an “ancient people” despite the fact they were historical contemporaries of Henry VIII at the time of the conquest. The Olmecs were using chocolate by 1900 B.C.E., yet the back cover implies that the Aztecs “discovered” chocolate—over 3,000 years later. The primitive earth-tone digital graphics are either incongruous or anachronistic in many instances. Maya structures and Toltec pillars, which predate the Aztecs by centuries, are presented as examples of the Aztecs’ “amazing buildings.” Not only do they adorn the cover, they are scattered across a sandy, Egyptian-esque landscape that also includes the occasional saguaro instead of the region’s prickly pear cactus. The touted 500-year timeline hardly encompasses 200 years. And there is no pronunciation guide. Companion title The Ancient Greeks publishes simultaneously. Its timeline is said to stretch 3,000 years, including several events that occurred “Way back when,” but its recorded history spans but 200. Neither volume includes a bibliography or suggestions for further research.
Ineffective and misleading. (Graphic nonfiction. 8-11)Pub Date: June 15, 2017
ISBN: 978-1-84780-950-6
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Frances Lincoln
Review Posted Online: April 25, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 15, 2017
Playful, provocative, and packed with perspective.
Did Christopher Columbus really “discover” a new world? Did the Pilgrims invite the Wampanoag to a friendly First Thanksgiving? Is July 4 truly the nation’s birthday?
Readers familiar with traditional narratives of America’s founding are invited to interrogate those myths in this interactive exploration of early U.S. history. A strong introductory framework asks whose stories endure and whose have been erased from the history books, emphasizing that Indigenous peoples remain part of the present, not just the past. Each spread presents a common misconception, then asks readers to flip assumptions aside by lifting a partial gatefold that reveals the true story beneath. Well-sourced explanations elevate figures and communities often excluded from history books, including women, Black Americans, and Indigenous peoples. Bold colors, graphic-heavy layouts, and energetic illustrations that make creative use of historical photos and images break complex ideas into bite-size pieces that encourage browsing over linear reading. A timeline, speech bubbles, and lift-the-flap “True or False” quizzes reinforce the book’s core message: History is layered, debatable, and dynamic. Though the book’s busy, nonlinear design may prove challenging for some, on the whole it works very well as an engaging historical overview. The content assumes a foundational knowledge of early U.S. history, making it most suitable for older elementary readers, though some visual choices skew younger. Backmatter includes more historical information and background on the book’s creation.
Playful, provocative, and packed with perspective. (glossary, resources, photo credits) (Nonfiction. 9-11)Pub Date: May 26, 2026
ISBN: 9798888599082
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Barefoot Books
Review Posted Online: Feb. 16, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2026
PERSPECTIVES
Thirteen prominent American men and women are briefly profiled in this collection. Chronologically ranging from Thomas Jefferson to Barack Obama, each entry features an inspiring quote from its subject and a concise explanation of his or her context in history. Opposite each page of text is a watercolor painting by the author depicting an image or montage of the notable individual and illustrating the work they achieved or how they lived. Each one evokes the emotions the book is meant to inspire: courage, strength and determination. Franklin Roosevelt gazes reassuringly out at readers above a line of hungry people at a soup kitchen; Rachel Carson smiles at readers against a picture of a soaring bald eagle and an inset of her peering into a microscope. The selection includes four women and five male ethnic minorities. Almost all are familiar faces in collective biographies, including Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, but some names may be new to young readers, such as Emma Lazarus and Cesar Chavez. Included in the backmatter are thumbnail biographies of each figure and a list of source notes. The profiles are indeed inspiring, and younger readers will likely learn something new. For deeper research, students will have to look elsewhere but could use this book as an excellent starting point. (Collective biography. 8-11)
Pub Date: March 1, 2011
ISBN: 978-0-8225-6810-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Millbrook
Review Posted Online: Jan. 25, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2011
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