THERE’S A SUPERHERO IN YOUR BOOK

Even a superhero is going to need readers’ help to protect precious pages from the dastardly Scribbler.

Structured along the lines of previous episodes (There’s an Alien in Your Book, 2020, etc.), the latest entry in this British series urges young audiences to lift, shake, tap, or otherwise join in on the action as Superhero—portrayed as a completely yellow lad sporting a bright purple mask and cape—squares off against a green, crayon-wielding interloper and her squad of dumpling-shaped “NASTY SCRIBBLE BAD GUYS!” Both Scribbler and Scribbles stand out in the bland cartoon art, the former looking rather like a bit of green fuzz with face and limbs and the latter represented as yellow outlines with black features. The book seems destined for defacement after Superhero’s friends (all familiar from previous outings except for a young witch on whom the American publisher has evidently taken a pass) are tied up. Fletcher’s suggestion to pour water over the proceedings may require some hasty adult intervention…but at last a blown kiss snatches victory from defeat: “Your super kiss and the power of being kind have melted the Scribbler’s meanness!” After a bit of swooping, hero and villain blast off together through the final page in search of a venue for “some nice scribbling,” like a coloring book. (This book was reviewed digitally with 10-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 75% of actual size.)

Formulaic and not particularly well thought through…but a pleaser for younger movers and shakers.