Super Manny Stands Up!

May 8, 2017
At home, Manny, a small raccoon with a big imagination, has a wardrobe of superhero capes to match his pretend-play scenarios; wearing a blue cape while looking into the fishbowl, he feels “fearless” and imagines he’s saving the world “from an ocean of unsavory sea creatures.” Manny has a cape for school, too, though it’s invisible to ensure that it remains “top secret undercover.” When a hedgehog is bullied by a hulking pig in the lunchroom, Manny summons the power of all of his capes to say “Stop it”—first quietly, then assertively—and his courage reminds his classmates that they have invisible capes as well. DiPucchio’s (Everyone Loves Cupcake) narration tends toward the literal, but her brevity and directness should make an instant connection with readers. Graegin’s (Little Fox in the Forest) pencil-and-ink pictures seem unassuming and lighthearted (Manny’s make-believe villains include robots who can’t shoot straight with their laser-beam eyes), but when the lunchroom scene unfolds, the images take on surprising and touching drama, creating a powerful moment of truth. Ages 4–8. Agent: Steven Malk, Writers House.

May 1, 2017
This charming story marries the mania for superheroes with a potent anti-bullying message, making it an apt tale for present times. Super Manny, an imaginative raccoon child, after school regularly dons capes of various colors to battle everything from "an angry army of zombie bears" to "legions of alien robots with laser-beam eyes." During school he sports an invisible cape that allows him to continue his victorious voyage through his world incognito. Throughout, he declares out loud to the world his own fearlessness and strength in words that children will want to echo. But his courage is tested when Tall One, a lunchroom bully, threatens Small One. Although Manny initially freezes, he remembers his superhero status and his invisible cape and commands the bully to stop. This startles the whole lunchroom of animal kids into recalling their own capes of courage, and they all collectively stand up for Small One, making Tall One beat a hasty retreat. The whimsical illustrations and antics of imaginative Manny (and his new porcupine friend, Small One) will delight children and their grown-ups even as they take in the playfully delivered yet deeply felt message of the importance of standing up for others. Speech balloons vary in size according to the confidence level of the speakers--a highly effective visual. With great read-aloud potential, this story could be used by both parents and teachers to introduce concepts of courage and standing up to bullies from the youngest preschoolers up. (Picture book. 4-8)

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August 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Every day at home, Manny the raccoon dons a different color cape and becomes by turns fearless, strong, brave, powerful, and invincible. But Manny always saves his top secret undercover cape for school because it is invisible. So one day, when a classmate was being bullied by another, taller student, he works up the courage to intervene, inspiring his peers to remember their invisible capes. Soon they are all standing up against the bully. Young readers and listeners will be cheering for Manny's heroic endeavors while subtly digesting a deeper message of antibullying. The pencil and ink drawings sweetly depict the childlike qualities of Manny and his animal classmates. VERDICT This wonderful read-aloud is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Recommended.-Jessica Marie, Salem Public Library, OR

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