Hero Dad

October 25, 2010
A letter from Dad, who is deployed in the Middle East, prompts the young narrator to muse on what his father is going through and how he represents a better breed of superhero. "He doesn't carry a laser gun—he carries a rifle," declares the boy, as readers see soldiers on patrol in the desert. Holding a photograph of his father and his comrades standing proudly by their tank, the boy explains, "He doesn't have a sidekick—he has a platoon." Hardin, a debut author, lucked out with Langdo (Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff): her minimal, confident text is in perfect sync with the khaki and fatigue-hued combat scenes. The bold, austere visual aesthetic conveys a sense of resolve reminiscent of classic war posters and inspires some particularly striking spreads: in one, a march is cropped down to show only boots on the ground. The superheroes of graphic novels and TV will always have a hold on kids' imaginations, but Hardin and Langdo make the persuasive case that in real life, heroism is defined by unwavering bravery, duty, and vigilance. Ages 3–8.