Superlove

October 13, 2014
An exuberant girl with ginger pigtails adopts the identity of Superlove and stages a slew of backyard weddings. Her stuffed animals serve as brides, grooms, and guests, with couplings that include a purple dinosaur and mouse (“Mimi and Mr. Munchkins get married”), as well as an octopus and a gangly blue mouse (“Sabrina and Orcky get married”). But Superlove’s determined efforts to marry off everyone in sight are thwarted when she can’t get her pet cat, Pinky, down from the tree. Superlove’s parents step in to save the day by walking down the aisle themselves (“and this time you can be there, too”). Chambers’s expressive cartoons provide many moments of humor, but Harper’s story offers a narrow vision of girls’ romantic fantasies. “Oh, Mommy, Superlove doesn’t wear blue,” the girl tells her mother, opting for a striped pink dress with a pink heart on it. Ages 5–8. Author’s agent: Amy Rennert, Amy Rennert Agency. Illustrator’s agency: the Bright Agency.

October 1, 2014
Dressed in pink and with hair in pigtails, a girl declares herself "Superlove" and determines to marry her pet cat off to her toy dog as her first official act. Superlove believes she has the power to make love and a wedding happen at her will. Unfortunately, her pet cat, Pinky, is less than interested in becoming a bride. Still, nothing will stand in Superlove's way-she wants to be "a real, live flower girl." She gets to work hanging ribbons, decorating with flowers and creating an altar for the bride and groom. But when it comes time for the big wedding, Pinky has taken refuge in a tree and refuses to participate. Attempts to coax and bribe with food yield nothing. Superlove's shouts of frustration bring Mommy outside to see what is happening. Mommy does not have a way to make Pinky get married, but she brings Daddy outside instead. "Daddy and I can get married, and this time you can be there, too." In front of an audience of well-dressed stuffed animals, buzzing bees and fluttering butterflies, Superlove enjoys the wedding as a "super perfect" flower girl. Satisfactory though slim and with a predictably pat ending, this confection from Harper and Chambers will appeal to all who dream of being in a wedding. (Picture book. 3-6)

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December 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 2-A little girl dubs herself "Superlove" (title done in sparkly pink lettering) as she prepares for a wedding. Mr. Mittens, her stuffed dog, and Pinky, the family cat, are to be married and Superlove is not only the wedding planner but also the ever-important flower girl. As preparations are made for the big event, Pinky is not an enthusiastic bride. She dislikes her gown, and she hides up a tree. Superlove does her best, but Pinky will not come down. Luckily her gracious parents help her, and Superlove gets to be a flower girl, despite the feline's unwillingness to marry Mr. Mittens. This whimsical and original story of playing pretend is perfectly complemented by illustrations done in springtime-hued colored pencils and pen cartoon drawings with a sprinkling of pink gingham and stripes. Superlove is sure to delight aspiring flower girls everywhere.-Mindy Whipple, West Jordan Library, UT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 15, 2014
Preschool-G A pigtailed little girl declares herself Superlove for the day and sets about planning a wedding. She rejects her mother's selection of overalls for her in favor of a pink-striped dress with a big glitter heart. She wields a makeshift wand of love to determine who is to be married: a stuffed animal dog and a very reluctant-looking cat. Most of the humor here comes from the cat just not being in the mood to play along. While Superlove prepares for an outdoor wedding, decorating the trees with streamers and arranging the stuffed animal guests on either side of the red carpet remnant leading to the cardboard-box altar, the cat is resolutely up a tree. Though Superlove practices officiating other toy couples, the cat remains unwilling, and the girl's parents have to come to the rescue. Superlove's determined improvisation makes for a charming story, abetted by Chambers' vibrant, comical illustrations. This may inspire young readers to engage in more imaginative play. A good fit for the Fancy Nancy set.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)