Superkid by Claire Freedman

Ill. by Sarah McIntyre. Scholastic, 2013. ISBN 9781407124063.
Recommended for 4-6 years of age. Themes: Heroes, Stories in rhyme, Bullying.
'There's a boy quite ordinary, He looks like me or you, but in secret . . . he is SUPERKID - There's nothing he can't do! '
Superkid's special powers assist him in all sorts of tricky situations, in the classroom, dealing with bullies in the yard and helping at home. Claire Freedman's rhyming text provides an exciting jumping off point for Sarah McIntyre's crazy over the top cartoon style drawings. Each page is jam-packed with action and there are so many little surprises to be found before the reader turns the page. The broccoli tree at dinner-time is an absolute winner, a very relatable page for kids who have difficulty eating their vegetables.
Superkid fights the school bullies, assists in the dramas of bedroom cleaning and in the unfortunate capture by a pirate crew. His skills and powers prove to be a handy tool. The messy bedroom scene is one of the funnier double page spreads. There is so much to take in right down to Mum's bunny slippers.
Author Claire Freedman is a well known British picture-book author, here she shows her understanding of encouraging a young audience to face up to their challenges. Sarah McIntyre's illustrations are colourful, fun and full of life, they really add the pizzazz to the rhyme.
Rhyllis Bignell