Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Adventures of Marco Polo
Illustrator: Brian Bascle
Nonfiction Graphic Novel Series
For ages 8 to 10
Capstone Press, 2005 ISBN: 978-0736838306
In 1298 some of the prisoners in one of the prisons in Genoa were able to hear a fabulous story. The story teller was a man called Marco Polo and he told his companions about his life and how, when he was just a young man, he traveled to China with his father and his uncle. The three Italians faced many hardships before they finally arrived at the palace of Kublai Khan who eagerly wanted to hear from the travelers. Marco became a particular favorite of Kublai Khan who asked the young man to become his ambassador. This Marco was glad to do and he went on many trips all over Asia and saw many wondrous things. He then went back to his master and told him about the things he had seen.
After seventeen years Marco, his father, and his uncle began the long journey home. Luckily for the world Marco’s story was written down. It was turned into a book which people still read today with great interest.
This is a fascinating account of the life of one of the world’s most famous and extraordinary explorers. Action packed comic style illustrations capture the highlights of some of Marco’s trips and readers will certainly be encouraged to find out more about this exceptional man.
