The Book of Time Outs: A Mostly True History of the World’s Biggest Troublemakers

Just the title of this tongue-in-cheek catalogue of historical scofflaws is enough to attract readers. In her first children’s book, Lucke sustains kids’ interest with a larkish mix of humor, wordplay and historical references, served up with witty, full-spread paintings. Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, is portrayed as a spoiled child: “He saw Italy and said, 'Mine.’ He pointed to Holland, Spain, Austria, Russia, and England and said, “Mine, all mine,’ ” which, the author notes, earned him two timeouts on two separate islands. He is shown sitting petulantly, burning maps of Europe; Lucke renders him, like the other subjects, with an outsize head, and against a dramatic backdrop (in this case, in an entirely red room). A breezy narrative whips across the centuries, highlighting the “transgressions” of 14 historical figures, among them Cleopatra, Bach, Susan B. Anthony and Babe Ruth. Some ambiguous references might inspire readers to do a little more research: What exactly landed Louis Armstrong in a youth home? What kind of “time out” did Rosa Parks get for refusing to give up her seat on the bus? A lively path into history. Ages 6-9. (Apr.)