I have written about the Magical History Tour series before, but I still love talking about them, even though I have told you just read them! No questions asked (and you my good friends have, I am sure)! And my ultimatum is probably because I am that way. I just read them regardless of subject. Fabrice Erre’s series of historical events and people have ranged from Vikings to oil to Albert Einstein. And I am not really interested in the world of oil, Vikings, or Einstein. Yet each is an eye-opening experience (well Einstein wasn’t, as I have not read that one. Yet.)
Out of the twelve volumes I have not read three. But out of the ones I have read, Magical History Tour Volume 12: The Samurai and the one about the plague (volume 5), are probably my favorites (though the oil one was good, too). These highlights of the subject allow the reader to get a good overview of things in clear language. One reason I think this is a favorite as it is about Japan (and I am interested but know little about it) and how the subject is tastefully presented. The Samurai did have a bloody past, but what the illustrator, Sylvain Svoia, shows is real but not glorified or overdone. The fact that we have siblings Annie and Nico narrating and adding humor to things helps “tone down” the fact, that yes, there is blood and bodies. Also, having the graphic novel format, and the fictionalization of someone narrating allows the facts to not be “just the facts” and makes it easier to read.
These books are great for classrooms and for private libraries. As I said, I would get all subjects, even if your reader is only into one, because they are good references. Plus, I have found some things are differently presented from what my textbooks were or how I have seen modern texts. Somethings were not covered by my teacher, but I would say it is mostly due to them being non-American based, there is information that is not usually given or just presented from another viewpoint.
Due mid-April 2023, read through Papercutz free reader copy.