Superheroes Don't Babysit

May 1, 2020

PreS-Gr 2-A superhero is just about to save the city from an evil emperor when her father asks her to babysit her little brother. Despite her belief that superheroes don't babysit, she undertakes the task. And it surely does take superhero powers as she deals with the mess her brother makes when creating an ice cream sundae and when she needs to change his messy diaper. Her superhuman powers are sorely tested when he accidentally breaks one of her action figures. She even secretly wishes he weren't her brother-until he offers her his favorite teddy and a hug. Tensions eased, they settle down to read stories until the little boy falls asleep. Large illustrations are executed in saturated colors. The superhero, in red mask, cape, and matching socks, battles the emperor amidst cardboard cutouts of space ships and space people. Large, bold lettering reveals the girl's chagrin when she realizes a stinky smell is coming from her little brother, and when she appears in a series of comic book panels trying to count herself down to calm acceptance. Eventually, she realizes that "every superhero needs a sidekick." VERDICT While stories about sibling conflicts are plentiful, this one will likely win over children with its comic book appearance and neat resolution.-Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2020
Dealing with a little brother is a huge distraction from being a superhero, but it may also be just the job for a young masked avenger. With a bit of the cause-and-effect feel of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, this book describes the thankless task a young superhero takes on when her dad asks her to babysit. The unnamed characters spend the day dealing with messes and grabs for attention, culminating in a near meltdown (from the hero, who longs to shout, "I WISH YOU WEREN'T MY BROTHER!"). But it ends with the younger child's offer of a favorite teddy bear and a hug, and the hero's embrace of the idea that "MAYBE little brothers aren't so bad after all." It's well-worn territory: the ubiquity of superhero entertainment, the writing style, and the lesson. But the elements jell well, and the illustrations strike a fresh balance, featuring aged photos, bygone wallpaper backgrounds, and restrained use of comic-book-style panels. The stakes are real-life pint-sized, not stretched to fantastical proportions, making the unnamed superhero's journey all the more accessible. Any caregiver who has witnessed siblings start World War III over a hairbrush will appreciate this caped crusade, which effectively makes the case that putting aside sibling rivalry is a job big enough for a superhero. Dad and kids all have light-brown skin, theirs lighter than his. Combines familiar picture-book tropes into something clever and new. (Picture book. 4-7)

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