Written by Andrew Katz
Illustrated by Tony Luzano
CrackBoom! Books (Choucette Publishing)
978-2-89802193-0
32 pp.
Ages 3-8
June 2020
Superheroes are everywhere nowadays. They're in novels, TV shows, movies, toys, graphic novels and comics. They are so commonplace and so revered for their exceptionalities that it's not surprising that any child would want to be one. Consequently, when the family tabby, Jaguar, brings a red eye mask home, little Nino is enthralled.
Putting the mask on, Nino feels empowered. He can jump higher, he can throw farther ("He hurled a tomato all the way to Hawaii"), and he can even blast into outer space. Of course, he still has to do chores like put his dishes in the sink and change his clothes, and do normal kid things like nap and eat and play. But when you're super, everything is amazing!
 |
| From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano |
 |
| From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano |
But while Nino is being amazing, and he's cautioned by his family to not go overboard and do harm with his superpowers, Jaguar is snatched by a massive, leafy monster. Of course, Nino is able to save his feline friend, while realizing that he has a few lessons he can teach others about being super.
 |
| From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano |
Author Andrew Katz who co-authored the Prix Peuplier-nominated Comment attraper un ours qui aime lire (French edition of How To Catch A Bear Who Loves To Read) gives voice to every child who has ever dreamed of being a superhero. Nino may claim he just wants to be super but he really wants the excitement and recognition that comes from doing and being good. I don't know if Nino ever flies off into space or shakes his house off its foundation with his stomping, or if it is all in his imagination. Nevertheless, he revels in what he can accomplish, though tempering all that super-ness with being a kid who has to help out around the house, being considerate of others and acting wisely.
Still, superpowers have to have bang and Nino's do through Montreal's Tony Luzano's illustrations. There's a dynamism to Nino's actions, whether mundane play with glitter or heading into the cosmos to speak to aliens, and Tony Luzano accomplishes it with his vivid colours and youthful energy of line and shape.
 |
| From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano |
If I Just Want to be Super! teaches us anything, it's that being a superhero means making the world a better place for all and superheroes are definitely not limited to the media of pages or screens. They're everywhere, doing everyday jobs and helping to improve our lives, and, with some consideration and thoughtfulness, we can all be super.
• • • • • • •
On
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
at
6 p.m. EST (“doors” open at 5:45),
author Andrew Katz
will be virtually launching
the English and French editions of his new picture book
I Just Want to be Super!
and
Je suis Super Nino!
The launch will include:
• an interview hosted by Asian/Pacific American Award-winning author Teresa Robeson,
• special musical guest Treehouse TV’s Splash’N Boots,
and
• a bilingual teaser reading of the book by Andrew Katz and French translator Juliana Léveillé-Trudel.
Register for this free event
at
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/i-just-want-to-be-super-age-3-je-suis-super-nino-3-ans-et-tickets-108754509666
• • • • • • •
No comments:
Post a Comment