THEY'RE HEROES, TOO

A celebration of the everyday heroes who keep our world running smoothly.

While much of the pandemic zeitgeist involved praising the heroes who kept people healthy, fed, etc., there have not been many mainstream children’s books that have addressed these helpers. This book aims to change that but without the pandemic; the only mask is on a doctor examining a patient. Instead, Brisson and Semirdzhyan follow a young child in a red polka-dot dress and blue vest and their caretaker—both brown-skinned—as they move through their diverse city. Bouncy rhyming verses identify the heroes they see, only one of whom (a pizza delivery person) wears a superhero costume. These heroes cook and serve food, drive buses, haul away garbage, deliver mail, cut hair, and lead demonstrations (in this case, against climate change). The child points out that when kids are “brave or generous,” they are heroes, too: “You be there for me. // and I’ll be there for you.” Helping clean up a park, picking up a child’s dropped books, and sitting with someone at lunch are all things kids can do. An aftermatter note states: “Heroes are people who make the world a better place through their work, generosity, and caring interactions with others. Be a HERO.” The single- and double-page spreads show readers the many friendly faces of heroes. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Proof that anyone can choose to be a hero.