Superhero Dad would be the clear victor in a matchup against Superhero Mom, though neither can stand up to Superman.
Move over Superhero Dad—there’s a new superhero in town.
As in their previous collaboration (2016), Knapman and Berger spin a young girl’s ordinary routine so that it seems her mother must be a superhero: whipping up breakfast (including “mending” the mixer with a screwdriver before using it), carrying a bunch of things (including her daughter!) and “flying” to the bus stop, making up fun games to play, kissing and bandaging injuries, and finding lost items. Knapman’s rhyming text sometimes stumbles in its rhythm, and the rhyme scheme, usually abcb, falters as it approaches the book’s conclusion. And unlike in the Dad title, in which the father turns the tables and says his son is the superhero for being “brave and kind and fun,” the mother here simply states: “Every mom’s a superhero / and so is every girl!” Rainbow-bright colors, dots, stripes, and stars fill the pages, befitting the superhero theme. Both mother and child are white with reddish hair, mom’s in a perky ponytail. Other parents and children in the background are diverse; all female characters sport eyelashes. Eyes—just black dots in otherwise white eyes—can sometimes appear manic rather than enthusiastic.
Superhero Dad would be the clear victor in a matchup against Superhero Mom, though neither can stand up to Superman. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 26, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-5362-0567-1
Page Count: 29
Publisher: Nosy Crow
Review Posted Online: March 11, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Being kind and helpful lights up the day from within in this inspiring and idyllic slice-of-life tale.
Actor, social media star, and entrepreneur Brown pens a joyful paean to positive thinking in her children’s debut.
Brown-skinned Tab rides a strawberry-themed bike, accompanied by a curly-haired black dog, Grady. Tab’s dazzling smile and wide eyes signal the upbeat theme echoed in the text, celebrating the sun’s warmth, which “fills everyone up with joy.” But Tab’s mood shifts, as it’s a “cloudy and gray” June day. Alert readers will spot the dog’s smiling countenance and note glimpses of sunny yellow butterflies and flowers. Mama’s reassurance that there’s “always a chance” for sunshine also underscores the optimism. Tab and Grady bike through suburban streets “to find the sun.” Along the way, the two stop to assist a neighbor building a birdhouse, loft a kite for friends Frankie and Fonte, and lend a hand to others, all while still having fun. Mama steers Tab toward an eventual understanding of the real source of joy: Though the sun didn’t appear, “I brightened everyone’s day!” The illustrations subtly underscore the message of this radiant story as touches of gold lighten the palette, which ends with sunny brilliance. Most characters read Black, though Tab’s community includes people who vary in skin tone, body type, and ability.
Being kind and helpful lights up the day from within in this inspiring and idyllic slice-of-life tale. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 11, 2025
ISBN: 9780063342262
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: March 21, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2025
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
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