Superkid

Superkid by Claire Freedman, illustration by Sarah McIntyre (Scholastic UK)
PB RRP $15.99
ISBN 978-1-407124-06-3
Reviewed by Jenny Heslop

Children often dream of being superheroes. In this fun story, Superkid’s tasks range from the everyday – saving classmates from bullies and eating the ‘dreaded broccoli... And horrid mushy peas’ which Auntie serves – to the more imaginative, rescuing other kids from pirates.

Whatever the mission, Superkid rises to the challenge and saves the day with style and inventiveness. Superkid’s lively nature fits perfectly with the central theme of superheroes. Written in rhyme, with lots of active words – Wheee, Puff, Zapp - it is a delight to read aloud and young children will love the energy this story throws out.

The illustrations are wonderfully strong, bold, bright and entertaining. Tomato sauce and mess play a large part in them as well as a sense of humour perfect for the preschool age. This humour reflects beautifully the words in the text, but the pictures move the story into the fantastic with aliens, broccoli trees and a supercat. The pages cleverly echo the feeling of a superhero comic without using a comic book format. I especially love the drawings of the author and illustrator in their superhero disguises which appear at the end of the story.

Superkid may make children look around at their friends and wonder... just for a minute.

Aliens in Underpants Save the World

Aliens in Underpants Save the World by Claire Freedman, illustrated by Ben Cort (Simon and Schuster)

HB RRP $14.99

ISBN 978-184738969-5

Reviewed by Peta Biggin

Aliens in underpants are back.  This time, the aliens are on a mission to save the world.  A huge meteorite is heading towards Earth and the aliens’ supply of underpants is under threat.  If the aliens are going to save the planet and protect their beloved underpants, they’re going to have to act fast.  Can they do it?  Can they save the day? 

From the creators of the bestselling Aliens in Underpants comes this new adventure featuring some unlikely heroes…in underpants.  The book finds the aliens in the position of needing to save the world (and all the underpants) from a giant meteor.  With quick thinking, they gather all the pants they can – including a pair of polka dotted bloomers – which they stitch together.  The result is an enormous pair of pants that the aliens stretch across the planet to bounce the meteor back into space.

Written in rhyme, the prose seems to bounce along making this a great read-aloud book for preschoolers. 

                             Aliens love underpants,

                             It’s lucky that they do,

                             For pants helped save our universe,

                             Sounds crazy, but it’s true!

Ben Cort’s illustrations are wonderful; full of colour, life and detail.  The aliens come in all sorts of sizes, shapes and colours; as well as being featured in some rather garish underwear.  There are plenty of small details providing lots to see on each page: graffiti on the spaceships; hiding aliens; and underpants appearing as flags, balloons and on bumper stickers. 

Aliens in Underpants Save the World is light-hearted; a bit silly; and, above all, a really fun story. 

Claire Freedman has written many children’s books including Aliens Love Underpants, Squabble and Squawk and Follow That Bear If You Dare!  She lives in Essex with her family.  Ben Cort has illustrated for many picture books including Aliens Love Underpants, The Shark in the Dark and Muddle Jungle.  He lives in Bedfordshire with his family.