The first thing to say about these books is that the description Cartoon History is pushing it a bit. The story is not told in comic-strip format, and speech bubbles are used only for the odd humorous comment. Many pages are no different in layout and design from orthodox non-fiction titles. Matthew Lilly’s illustrations are cartoon-like, but there is no way to access the information in the books without reading Jacqui Bailey’s extensive text.

It is fortunate, then, that Bailey writes infectiously. In Volume 4 (the most interesting, as it covers the development of Homo sapiens), she tells us that the first hominids “must have picked up sticks and stones to poke or bash things with”. Her style is informal, but she resists the wacky, slapstick approach, and leaves the humour to her illustrator. This makes for a useful, graphic set of information books.

Each volume has an extensive index, glossary and double-page summary. In the case of Volume 4, this is a world map charting the estimated arrival of Homo sapiens across the continents. Placing Australia in the centre, with the Americas on the right-hand side, makes the movement of humans across the land bridge linking Asia with North America easy to comprehend.

These are thoughtful and engaging books. Volume 3 will have natural appeal; Volume 1 contains a lot of science-related information and Volume 3 presents a lucid account of evolution. Able and enquiring Year 2 children and Year 6 pupils needing easily accessible information will find this series equally interesting.

Michael Thorn

Michael Thorn is deputy head of Hawkes Farm primary school, Hailsham, East Sussex