Even Superheroes Make Mistakes

August 1, 2018
Caped crusaders take responsibility.Everybody makes mistakes, even superheroes. This picture book uses rhyming couplets and playful, cartoon artwork to illustrate a variety of scenarios in which masked avengers mess up. They trip and fall, they catch "the wrong guys," they even oversleep. Regardless of their missteps, heroes always get back up and try again, and they certainly do their best to set things right. The author's sermon on personal responsibility is a bit too long, but little readers will enjoy the variety of superheroics on display. The mix of superhero-specific misdeeds (muffing the alignment of a bridge they are building) with totally unrelated ones (singing off-key) feels totally arbitrary and a little unkind, but for children facing difficulties with their own behavior, this picture book that acknowledges that "perfection is rare" and an apology goes far certainly hits the spot. The illustrations are suitably dynamic and colorful, boasting a range of male and female superheroes of various sizes and colors. Two negatives to the art: A preponderance of identified "bandits" appear to be people of color, and all three female heroes are wasp-waisted, and two wear short shorts and midriff-baring tops while the guys are covered head to toe. These trends really, really need to go.A decent romp with a few drawbacks. (Picture book. 3-5)

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July 1, 2018
Preschool-G Everyone messes up?even superheroes. Join a superpowered cast (Magnifique! Screecher! Typhoon! Icky! And more!) as they talk about their blunders and mishaps, which cause them to exhibit a wide variety of feelings, from anger to embarrassment?sometimes they even want to quit saving the world. If they bash right through planets while flying space / they could claim someone's cape was obstructing their face. Fortunately, they have the grit, determination, and perseverance to learn from their mistakes, apologize, and get back to the good fight. Perfect for discussions with young children about taking responsibility for their actions, thinking through what happens after they mess up, and, most important, knowing that it's okay if they super-regret their mistake! But then they get up and get on with their day. Bonus: readers will have fun identifying all the superheroes throughout the pages as identified at the start and end of the book.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)