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Andrew Katz just wants to write stories, but he sometimes has to put away his dishes. He is friends with many kids like Nino, including his nephew, who loves to wrestle and is super gentle with animals. Andrew is the co-author of How To Catch A Bear Who Loves To Read. He also co-wrote the French version, Comment attraper un ours qui aime lire, which was nominated for a 2020 Forest of Reading Award. He teaches Children's Literature and Creative Writing at Dawson College in Montreal, and in 2013 he won his school's Director General's Award for Teaching Excellence. This is his second children's book. Tony Luzano just wanted to scribble when he was Nino's age. He liked the feeling of moving the pencil on the paper. He went on to study Illustration and Design at Dawson College in Montreal, and after graduating he worked as a concept artist for an animated TV series and as a freelance illustrator. He has long been fascinated by kids' books, and always dreamed about illustrating them--so actually working on one has been super awesome. This is his first children's book.
FROS KIRKUS REVIEWS: After gaining superpowers, Nino discovers what it really means to be super. When Nino tries on a superhero mask, he gains superpowers, suddenly soaring above the kitchen floor. When he tries to show Papa, he is told to put away his dishes. Nino uses his powers to put them away SUPER style, even though he doesn't want to. And before he can use his superpowers to make art with his sister, Mama tells him to get dressed. So he SHAZAMMED into his shirt and shorts. Throughout the day, Nino wants to use his powers for fun, but someone always diverts him. Finally, Nino loses his temper at the park because his father won't let him use his powers to throw a huge rock. When Nino faces a monster that has captured his cat, he discovers other ways to be super. Nino and his superpowers capture a child's energy and wild imagination even as his family demonstrates patience and reasonable boundary-setting. Nino's adventure, which kids can read as literal or imaginary as they will, shows that there are many different ways to be super, like showing empathy, helping others, making new friends, and being gentle. Nino's character will resonate with kids, capturing a child's perspective and emotions well. The appealing illustrations are fun and bold, exuding the super energy of the text, and present the whole family with brown skin and straight, black hair. A super story for anyone who wants to be a superhero.
