Superpower Dogs

February 15, 2019
Published to coincide with the release of the IMAX film of the same name, the book spotlights six dog heroes as they each engage in acts of heroism.Like something out of an episode of Wild Kratts, the book repeatedly labels various dog breeds' natural abilities as their "superpowers," whether it's the great stamina and supersensitive nose of a Dutch shepherd that sniffs out disaster survivors or the webbed toes of a Newfoundland that saves people from the sea. The book broadens its focus from dogs that save lives to include crime fighters (like the bloodhounds that track poachers in Kenya) and dogs that "help people heal," like Ricochet, an emotional-support golden retriever. The spare text transitions readers smoothly from dog to dog, retaining interest through crisp photography. Paragraphs of brief, engaging text are highlighted against colored borders, giving the overall design a clear, concise look. Details about dog breeds, abilities, defined terms, and locations appear as bullet points inset where appropriate. Backmatter is limited to a list of dog breeds formatted as trading cards, with "personality," "superpowers," and "ideal jobs" specified. The authors eschew further reading or internet resources in lieu of a plug for their IMAX film and website. Not just for dog lovers, this intro to hero canines is a breed unto itself. (Informational picture book. 7-9)

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