I Just Want to be Super!

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.

From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano

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

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.

From I Just Want To Be Super! by Andrew Katz, illus. by Tony Luzano

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.

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

• • • • • • •

Sparks!

Written by Ian Boothby

Art by Nina Matsumoto

Color by David Debrick

Scholastic (Graphix)

978-1-338-02946-8

200 pp.

Ages 7-10

February 2018

Knowing the universal acceptance of dogs as heroes, a cat named August invents a robotic dog suit in which he and feline friend Charlie undertake daring rescues like saving babies from wells, children from tornadoes, and families from fires. The suit also helps keep August from touching the grass (a major phobia since an escape outdoors as a kitten led him to nasty testing at an animal lab) and keeps the cats anonymous from prying reporters and those who might disturb their comfortable lifestyle. However, unbeknownst to them, an evil genius in the guise of a baby named Princess is setting up accidents that require the rescue dog dubbed Sparks to leap into action.  It seems Princess believes that Sparks might be the dog that other animals, under the baby's control, would follow, allowing the heinous alien-infant to conquer the world.

From Sparks! by Ian Boothby, art by Nina Matsumoto

Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto, best known as veteran creators of The Simpsons comics, will delight middle graders with this hilarious graphic novel of cats banding together to achieve heroic deeds and fighting an evil baby.  Readers will be tickled by all the characters: clever inventor August, who plays the stock market and buys a house; Charlie, who lives life with enthusiasm and has a fondness for frolicking and attention;  Steve-O, the hyper-chattering squirrel; and the storytelling robotic litter box.  Even Princess who transmits pain via agony pants worn by her pseudo-parent minions is priceless as the koala hat-wearing brain who still needs diaper changes and naps.  Princess is as controlling and scary as any human baby, albeit with creepier toys, and it's so satisfying when (spoiler!) her errant ways are chastized by her real parents.

From Sparks! by Ian Boothby, art by Nina Matsumoto

Sparks! is a fun read that fights stereotypes of cats being self-absorbed, dogs being the heroes, and babies being innocent and safe. Moreover, it provides a sad commentary on the media that creates stories, not just reports them, and the ease with which they manipulate the stories.  In fact, Sparks! is really a story that turns the concept of control on its head.  Of course, young readers might not pick up on all those messages from author Ian Boothby but they'll love the story and Nina Matsumoto's bold graphics that blend the real with the fantastic.  It's obvious Nina Matsumoto knows cats well (a photo of the real August and Charlie in the dedication attests to this).  She gets the joy of rolling in the grass or the pose of the classic butt-lick perfect but then gives an imaginative angle to the technological wizardry and provides vigorous splashes of action and disaster.  The compulsory Zzzzzap! and Ka-Pow with an occasional Ssshhlorp!, Fa-dunk and Sproing add that touch of comic book flavour that kids will enjoy.

From Sparks! by Ian Boothby, art by Nina Matsumoto

I'm pleased that Ian Boothby and Nina Matsumoto (who will be attending this year's Toronto Comic Arts Festival in May) have left the cat flap open for a sequel to Sparks! as I'm sure the amazing duo of August and Charlie have more acts of heroism on which to embark, whether as themselves or in the costume of their canine superhero.