Superhero Dad

"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.)

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