Hot On the Trail in Ancient Egypt Series

With its new cover, title, and the addition of several pages to the Q&A-style information at the back of the book, this title is an update of Adventures in Ancient Egypt, part of Bailey’s highly successful time travel series, “Good Times Travel Agency Series”. Part graphic novel, at the top of the page, and part travel guide, with the nonfiction portion at the bottom of the page, Hot on the Trail in Ancient Egypt is sure to hook both avid and reluctant readers.

Twins Josh and Emma Binkerton and their younger sister, Libby, find themselves in the Good Times Travel Agency, a creepy and grimy office whose eccentric proprietor, Julian T. Pettigrew, is equally weird. As the children peruse the guidebook to ancient Egypt, they are propelled back in time to the days of the pharaohs, around 2500 BCE. The guide stipulates that they cannot return home until they have read the entire book. After a bit of exploring, the children are invited into an Egyptian home for some refreshments, but their enjoyment is short-lived, for, in a case of mistaken identity, Josh is hauled away to go to work for the king, and his sisters spend the rest of their time travel journey looking for him. In the process, the girls learn a lot about life in ancient Egypt, topics ranging from homes, schools and clothing to travel, politics and pyramids.

The book’s format is very successful for a number of reasons. Firstly, colorful comics with short dialogue will appeal to reluctant readers, yet there is a considerable amount of information in the guidebook section. Secondly, the book can be read in a few different ways: graphic novel only, guidebook only, or the entire page at once. Bailey presents both the fiction and the nonfiction in a familiar, conversational style using kids’ language and a large dose of humour. She cleverly leaves the door open for more adventures of the Binkertons because each time the kids return a volume to the travel agency, the text hints that this visit will not be their last. The writing is fast-paced, lively and well researched.

Bill Slavin’s fun and engaging pen, ink and watercolour illustrations are chock-full of interesting details that not only add humour but also provide another level to the text which begs subsequent readings. Perceptive readers will notice, among other things, a backwards clock, a 1934 calendar and a poster advertising a cruise on the Titanic.

An index and a list of related books, museum websites and DVDs are included.

Hot on the Trail in Ancient Egypt is a thoroughly enjoyable read which will leave readers anticipating the next installment in the exciting adventures of the Binkertons.