Super Moopers series by Fiona Harris
Ill. by Scott Edgar. Five Mile Press, 2017.
Musical Markus book 1. ISBN 9781760406509
Nervous Nellie book 2. ISBN 9781760406493
Dramatic Dom book 3. ISBN 9781760406486
Giggling Gertie book 4. ISBN 9781760406516
(Age: 5-8) Highly recommended. Themes: Character Traits,
Self-esteem, Self-confidence, Personality. Super Moopers is
a bright and exciting new series from Sally Rippin Presents, written
by Fiona Harris and illustrated by Scott Edgar. Welcome to
Moopertown, an extraordinary place where everyone is unique, all
different sizes, shapes, colours and characters. There is a
similarity in style to Dr Seuss and his imaginary worlds - the Who's
of Whoville with the bright pops of colour, unusual settings and
quirky inhabitants. These four affirming stories introduce Musical
Markus, Nervous Nellie, Dramatic Dom and Giggling Gertie, Moopers
whose unique personality sometime gets them into trouble.
Markus loves to sing very loudly and he never stops. Unfortunately,
this is very annoying for other Moopers, who discourage him and ask
him to stop doing the one thing he loves. Fortunately, for Markus
someone needs his singing abilities.
Nervous Nellie loves the warm sun, tall Doopy trees and faffer birds
singing, but she is frightened of many things as well. Squishy
marshmallows, kites blowing on windy days and bubbles popping all
make her nervous. When a little Wixie chases her ball onto the road
in front of the racing milk cart, Nellie steps up to save the day.
Flamboyant purple Mooper, Dramatic Dom has been rehearsing forever
for his play. As he sets up the stage in the park, he notices an
alien spaceship land in a nearby tree. Dom convinces everyone that
the aliens have landed, when others ridicule him, Nellie stays to
offer some advice. Dom's new play shows he can rise above the
situation and turn his problems around.
Giggling Gertie laughs at everything, often at the most
inappropriate times. Her challenge is to remain calm during Lord
Hoity Toity's visit and not interrupt the scheduled performances.
Super Moopers is a fabulous series celebrating diversity,
recognising that everyone has something inside that makes them
super. These are wonderful picture books for families and classes to
discuss wellbeing, building emotional resilience and developing
self-esteem.
Rhyllis Bignell