Ancient Egypt: Tales of Gods and Pharaohs

Pairing her signature comic book–inspired aesthetic with classic Egyptian art motifs, Williams offers an irreverent take on nine mythological stories. Simple synopses accompany each panel, while the cartoonlike characters communicate through dialogue balloons. In the tale of Isis and the Cobra, when siblings Isis and Osiris marry, Osiris declares, “Good plan. Keep it in the family!” After Osiris’s younger brother, Seth, steals his crown and becomes pharaoh, Osiris’s son Horus seeks vengeance against Seth, who has transformed himself into a goofy-looking (but powerful and destructive) hippopotamus. In another story, readers can open gatefold flaps to reveal Tutankhamen’s tomb (as long as they’re willing to ignore the advice of a cat who provides humorous running commentary: “Stop! Read the opposite page before opening the flap or be cursed forever!” A sure-footed and mischievous vision of these seminal stories. Ages 6–up. (Sept.)