Book Pick--SuperHero ABC by Bob McLeod
From SLJ February 2006 (Starred Review)
Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR -- School Library Journal, 1/30/2006
MCLEOD, Bob. SuperHero ABC. illus. by author. unpaged. HarperCollins. Feb. 2006. Tr $15.99. ISBN 0-06-074514-2; PLB $16.89. ISBN 0-06-074515-0. LC 2004022180.
PreS-Gr 2–An alphabet’s worth of superheroes, from Astro-Man to the Zinger. There’s strong appeal here for the youngest comic-book fans, with many doses of humor along the way. Each figure has special powers, of course, which readers learn about through alliterative captions and action-packed illustrations. Danger Man, for instance “Does Daring Deeds Every Day.” A spread shows how “He Duels with Dragons” against a futuristic landscape filled with bright greens, reds, and pinks. The added information that “He Doesn’t Have a Dog!” contributes to the lighthearted tone while extending the alliteration, which effectively emphasizes letter sounds. Many of the characters possess traditionally heroic powers, like Ms. Incredible’s ability to become “Invisible In an Instant.” Others are sillier, such Laughing Lass and Upside Down Man (who “wears his Uniform Under His Underwear”), while the Odor Officer and the Volcano (he “Vomits on Villains”) add just the right touch of grossness. There are several females in the bunch, along with one child (Sky-Boy), one animal (Power Pup), and two teens (The Tiny Teen and Tony Terrific, who are Twins). The cartoon illustrations show the figures in action with bold colors, word balloons, and block letters in an attractive comic-book style. Imaginative readers might be inspired to imagine their own alphabetical creations to add to the ranks of Goo Girl, Huge Man, and Multiplying Mike.
