Jason Viola

An engaging survey of a failed experiment from American history that is just rife with unintended consequences. And this is the sort of history that America keeps repeating as righteous morality police try again and again to ban things that a large number of people want to have available, be it marijuana and other drugs or abortions, books, or gay marriage.

The book is narrated by John Barleycorn, a fictional personification of alcohol that's been around for centuries, and it manages to cram show more in quite a few other public figures from Johnny Appleseed and P. T. Barnum to Al Capone and Eliot Ness to Bill W. and Dr. Bob of Alcoholics Anonymous. show less

My daughter (mother of the grandchildren who like Science Comics) says, "This is one of the really good ones. I really liked the story." I'll have to buy a copy when it goes back to the library.

Update: it *is* one of the really good ones. The story is informative and moving, told in the "voice" of a young female elephant who is growing up with her beloved family. The artist is adept enough to give the elephants (mostly) recognizable characteristics to individualize them without cartooning show more them to the point of silliness. But he breaks up the sameness of pages of naturalistic elephants in brown-and-grey shades by interspersing gorgeous spreads of the African savannah and, for narrative explanation, he includes cartoon sequences illustrating elephant behaviour as if they were costumed humans (Babar-style). I couldn't put it down. Fortunately the Science Comics books aren't long enough to make a big dent in one's day! show less

3.5 stars

This is my 2nd Science Comic in a row. These are short graphic novels geared toward a younger audience, but with plenty of information that many (most?) adults likely don’t know, either! The storyteller in this one is a young elephant herself.

I am not rating this one quite as high as “Frogs”, I think, because I already knew more about elephants to start with. But, as usual, this still brought some new interesting information to me. Sadly, this one did wrap up with a warning show more that humans are causing habitat loss and even evolutionary changes to elephants (smaller tusks due to the wlwphants with larger tusks being poached and not passing on those genes for larger tusks). I feel like, if I had endless amounts of money, these would be a great series to buy and keep, as I could go back and look things up again later as a refresher. show less

I really like the Science Comic Series. They cover many subject matters, but this one is about Polar Bears as well as what it takes to survive in the high north. It shares information about the formation of ice, the melting of the polar ice caps and global warming as well as what we can do to stop it. We learn about a polar bear family, how they live, what they eat, how they hunt and more. Buckle up as you read this adventure about Anik, Isla and their mother.

Join two curious polar bear cubs show more as they play, hunt, and navigate life in the Arctic. With the assistance of their mother they learn polar bear biology and behaviour, as well as strategies and skills that will help them thrive in a landscape that is rapidly changing beyond their control. Each season brings different challenges and changes in their way of life. We learn about the family unit and why their father is not with them. Even though Isla feels bad for the seals they are hunting, her mother shares that they do not feel what is happening and that they all love the seals, they love them so much they want them inside them. This book shares a lot of information about Polar Bears in a cute and competitive way between siblings. I learned a few things from this book that I did not know about the polar ice caps or polar bears. The graphics are well done. They are not too scary, but the bears are definitely wild animals and although the cubs are cute, they are not pictured as pets. The graphics add greatly to the text and information shared. A great addition to a school, classroom or public library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon my request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own. show less