Pint-Size Superheroes: Picture Books for the Younger Crowd
RSSJoy Fleishhacker, Curriculum Connections -- School Library Journal, 04/22/2010
Starring diminutive caped crusaders, super-powered pretend players, and fueled-by-imagination action figures, these picture books are sure to please children whowant stories that pack a punch. Bursting with comic-book style artwork and attitude, they introduce their (mostly) small-fry heroes and depict adventures ranging from the commonplace (conquering a toppled-over backyard tree) to the grandiose (saving the Earth from an impending cosmic disaster). In addition to their entertainment amperage, these booksincorporate themes of friendship, empathy, and individuality, while encouraging kids to challenge boundaries and dream big. Create a library display or share a tale in the classroom, and watch your students' enthusiasm for reading soar.
Get 'em Started
From Astro-Man ('Always Alert for an Alien Attack) to the Zinger ('Zanily Zigzags through the Zero Zone';), Bob McLeod's SuperHero ABC (HarperCollins, 2006; K-Gr 4) unveils a rousing roster of daring defenders, introducing their amazing alphabet-inspired abilities through bigger-than-life cartoons and staccato phrases fraught with alliteration. Emphasizing both wordplay and sublime silliness, this beguiling book can be used to captivate readers and inspire creative art and writing projects.
Pint-Size Superheroes
These fledgling superheroes prove that champions come in all sizes. Though Max (Candlewick, 2000; PreS-Gr 3) is the offspring of Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt (and even wears a matching lightning-bolt-emblazoned costume and mask), the boy has yet to exhibit the family ability to fly...that is until just the right individual (a baby bird falling from a nest) is in need of rescuing. Brimming with warmth and humor, Bob Graham's droll narrative and spirited cartoon artwork reveal the quiet exploits-and inspiring individuality-of a small hero.
As the clock strikes 12:00 a.m., an orange-haired protagonist transforms from bookish boy to Eliot Jones, Midnight Superhero (Tiger Tales, 2009; PreS-Gr 3). Donning his green cape and boots, the self-assured youngster effortlessly pulls off feats ranging from returning missing teddy bears to rounding up rampaging lions. When a gigantic meteor threatens Earth, Eliot must utilize all of his astonishing skills, can-do cleverness, and ingenious gadgetry to save the day. Anne Cottringer's action-packed narrative is abuzz with comical drama and Alex T. Smith's mixed-media artwork wows with bright colors, loose-lined textures, and humorous exaggeration. Savvy readers who closely eyeball Eliot's room may have some insight into the impetus for his adventures.
Where does a kid who can knock a baseball into orbit, clobber a giant lava monster, and use his heat vision to repair the Bay City Bridge go to learn? Superhero School (Bloomsbury, 2009; K-Gr 4), of course! Leonard can't wait to start, but he soon finds out that he is destined to spend more time wrestling with fractions than stopping speeding runaway trains. However, when their teachers are kidnapped by evil ice zombies, the boy and his caped classmates rush to the rescue, where they discover that math skills can be just as important as superpowers. Filled with comical kapow, Aaron Reynolds's lively narrative and Andy Rash's bold-colored cartoonswill have children chuckling out loud.
Faster than a speeding bullet? More powerful than a locomotive? Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound? No, but the extraordinary Baby Brains (2004; Pres-Gr 3) does manage to read the newspaper, fix the family car, and complete medical school all within a few weeks of his birth. It takes a mission into the cosmos-and a very lonely space walk-for this overachieving infant to realize his limits ('I want my mommy!';). Simon James's wry humor abounds in both the spirited text and vibrant watercolor-and-ink illustrations. The fun continues in Baby Brains Superstar (2005) and Baby Brains and RoboMom (2008, all Candlewick).
Caralyn and Mark Buehner capture the high-flying aspirations of many a youngster in Dex: The Heart of a Hero (HarperCollins, 2004; PreS-Gr 4). Determined to make his cherished dream a reality, a little dachshund reads up on superheroes, trains hard to build his physique, and mail orders a costume. Before long, Superdog is patrolling the neighborhood and performing good deeds, even rescuing his onetime nemesis (an obnoxious tomcat stuck in a tree) and graciously taking him on as sidekick. This gentle self-esteem builder is told with kindhearted humor, comic-book style captions ('Faster than a rolling ball, stronger than the toughest rawhide, able to leap tall fenced in a single bound!';), and eye-pleasing artwork.
Baron von Baddie and the Ice Ray Incident (Harcourt, 2008; K-Gr 3) introduces a very kid-like villain who is small of stature, adept at cobbling together all manner of amazing inventions, and possesses an insatiable appetite for doughnuts. Fortunately, Captain Kapow is on the job, cheerfully foiling the Baron's nefarious plans and depositing him in jail (until the evildoer escapes and the process is repeated). However, when the Baron manages to imprison his nemesis in ice, he discovers that day after day of bad behavior-now unchecked-soon becomes...well, boring. Turning the traditional formula on its ear, George McClements provides a fresh and funny approach to the superhero genre, dynamically illustrated with vivacious mixed-media artwork.
Normally your typical (if rather short) fourth grader, a youngster has only to eat one of his little sister's specially concocted confections to become 'Horace Splattly: The Cupcaked Crusader'; (Puffin; Gr 2-4). This unusual superhero always packs a surprise, since his powers are determined by the ingredients of the particular cupcake he has just consumed. Whether taking on Chef Nibbles's brainwashed followers in When Second Graders Attack (2002), confronting The Terror of the Pink Dodo Balloons (which are preying upon people's hair), or trying To Catch a Clownosaurus (both 2003), Horace is a likable (if somewhat flighty) champion. Lawrence David's fast-reading chapter books feature goofy plot lines, not-too-frightening villains, and comically over-the-top climaxes, with Barry Gott's pleasingly exaggerated cartoons served up as icing on the (cup) cake.
Let's Pretend
Employing commonplace objects and super-powered imaginations, these young protagonists embark on confidence-building escapes that are firmly based in the familiar. When her older brother tells her she's 'too little'; to play with him, Lulu believes she's in for a boring day, but soon realizes that as Ladybug Girl (2008; PreS-Gr 2)-decked out in red tutu, polka-dot wings, and antennas-she has the amazing ability to make her own fun. Aided by her basset hound Bingo (whose ears fly in the wind with dramatic comic-book flair), the heroine jumps across a dangerous puddle, rebuilds a fort, and performs other marvelous feats. David Soman's amusing text and Jacky Davis's spring-hued artwork perfectly depict the girl's activities and ever-expanding sense of empowerment. Lulu's adventures continue in Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy (2009), which deals with themes of friendship and playground compromise, and Ladybug Girl at the Beach (May, 2010; all Dial), in which the brave bug must face her fear of the ocean.
When an imaginative youngster receives a superhero cape for his birthday, he transforms himself into Oliver the Mighty Pig (Dial, 2004; K-Gr 2), a stalwart champion who rescues toy cars from highway collisions, catches a soon-to-crash model rocket ship, and saves his sister from dangerous bad guys, all before bedtime. Jean Van Leeuwen's lively text and Ann Schweninger's sherbet-colored illustrations team up to create an engaging easy reader.
Obsessed with his favorite TV superhero, a little guinea pig is desperate to prove to his animal pals that his idol will appear if called upon. When Super Guinea Pig is a no-show, the little guy takes on the role for himself, fashioning a costume out of a black sock and red napkin (with a pin for a sword). Suddenly, it's Super Guinea Pig to the Rescue (Walker, 2007; K-Gr 3)...at least until the critter falls into the goldfish bowl and needs help from real friends. Udo Weigelt's entertaining picture book is buoyantly illustrated with Nina Spranger's humorous watercolor and acrylic paintings.
Action Figures in Action
Traction Man Is Here! (2005; PreS-Gr 4), complete with all kinds of cool gear, and now it's up to his new owner to bring the toy to gloriously imagined, innocent-victim saving, adventure-conquering life. Mini Grey's tongue-in-cheek text reads with comic book brevity and melodrama as the intrepid hero, accompanied by his faithful sidekick, Scrubbing Brush, undertakes one risky escapade after another. Kinetic and clever, the cartoon artwork casts commonplace objects as both villains and victims, and Grey's humorous details and unfailingly funny tone will both amuse and intrigue readers. In the second installment, Traction Man Meets Turbodog (2008, both Knopf)-a not-too-bright, battery operated pooch-and the duo must work together to save the ever-loyal Scrubbing Brush from the 'Dark and Terrible Underworld of the Bin'; (where he has been deposited by a parent on clean-up patrol).
Two books by Nina Crews chronicle the adventures of a boy named Jack and his action figure, Guy. In both Below (2006; PreS-Gr 1) and Sky-High Guy (2010, bothHolt), the toy is placed in peril (falling down a hole in a staircase or becoming entangled in a backyard tree) and it's up to the resourceful youngster to find a way to save him. Packed with crowd appeal, Crews's digitally manipulated photo-collage-style artwork blends realistic-looking photographs with more-fantastical embellishments, neatly echoing the relationship between realism and imagination in pretend play. The straightforward narrative, simple vocabulary, and comfortable repetition will also entice beginning readers.
All of these offerings make great launch pads for imaginary escapades. Have your students bring their enthusiasm for the genre into the classroom by encouraging them to enjoy and discuss these tales. They may even be inspired to create their own heroes, dilemma-filled plot premises, and sigh-of-relief resolutions.
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