Superhero Dad

by Timothy Knapman, Joe Berger (Illustrator)

Overview

A fun tribute to the specialness of dads (and their superhero children!)

Dad might not have a superhero mask or wear his underwear outside his pants, but his super snores can be heard a thousand miles away, he tells super funny jokes, and he can even make super scary monsters go away at bedtime! This vibrant, humorous, and warmhearted celebration of all the incredible things a dad can do is a fun tribute to the specialness of dads (and their superhero children!).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763699512
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	04/10/2018
Pages:	26
Sales rank:	1,141,765
Product dimensions:	6.80(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	2 - 5 Years

About the Author

  

Editorial Reviews

Visual references to superhero comics and jokes at dad’s expense, as when he holds the tiny family dog over his head like a weight lifter, add to a playful portrait of mutual father-son devotion.
—Publishers Weekly

Blazing with energy and saturated with love, this is a cheerful choice for a Father’s Day storytime.
—Booklist Online

Ready to fight boredom in a single bound.
—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

04/11/2016
“Dads are sometimes boring,/ but mine’s not, and I’m glad,/ because, you see, he’s secretly a.../ superhero dad!” With rhymes that bound along and equally energetic digital artwork, Knapman and Berger highlight a boy’s love for his father, who looks like a Clark Kent–esque nerd but can make a truly super breakfast (“The very best is toast with chocolate,/ and fruit, ice cream, and cake!”); (mostly) knows his way around a hammer, nails, and saw; and scares away any nighttime monsters. Visual references to superhero comics and jokes at dad’s expense, as when he holds the tiny family dog over his head like a weight lifter, add to a playful portrait of mutual father-son devotion. Ages 3–7. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

04/01/2016
PreS-Gr 2—To an outsider, this curly-haired, bespectacled father may be an ordinary guy, but his admiring son knows the truth: "He's secretly a SUPERHERO DAD!" The boy goes on to list proof of his father's powers: he makes amazing pancakes, he tells the funniest jokes, he's super strong, and he can make the coolest castle. In one illustration, Dad's shadow outlines the superhero his son sees in him. Slightly flat multimedia textures complement vivacious line drawings, with bright colors and comic book motifs. The rhythm of the rhyming text feels slightly strained, but the book's large format and energetic artwork should make it a favorite around Father's Day. VERDICT A good purchase for parent-child lap-readings.—Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA

School Library Journal

2016-03-16
A small blond boy describes the many ways his nebbishy dad is a superhero. From super snoring to super breakfasts ("toast with chocolate, and fruit, ice cream, and cake!"), this dad makes everything fun, playing dinosaurs, lifting and carrying his son, and building him an amazing (but rickety) wooden castle (not without a thumb injury, though, but he meant to do that!). These things might not seem like superhero deeds to most readers, and the narrator sees that question coming. He explains about the noises he hears at night in his room and how his dad comes in to rescue him with the flick of a light switch and his presence. " ‘Superhero Dad,' I say, / ‘you are the best by miles!' / My dad says, / ‘I'm no Superhero,' / then he stops and smiles. / ‘But I know a Superhero / who is brave and kind and fun. Who is it? // Why, it's you! You are my SUPERHERO SON!' " It's a sweet concept, but the execution is a little off. Knapman's rhythm sometimes stumbles in his rhyming verses. Berger's digital illustrations are filled with the bright colors that scream comics, though there aren't as many sound effect balloons as one might expect from a superhero story. Both characters are white. Ready to fight boredom in a single bound, at least for a few minutes. (Picture book. 4-8)

Kirkus Reviews