Even superheroes have bad days

When superheroes have bad days, things could get horrific for everyone. Fortunately though, superheroes have supercontrol over their emotions, according to this lighthearted exposé on how a group of superheroes deal with their frustrations. Superheroes could cope with their bad days by tossing trucks and buses around, crumbling buildings into rubble, or igniting fires with their laser eyes. But instead, they double down and use their superpowers for good deeds, such as hatching super-plans to help banish world sadness / Building fabulous theme parks for giggles and gladness. The eight superheroes, depicted in a retro cartoon-style, embody an abundant assortment of powers and come in various sizes and shapes, including both genders plus one green, horned monster. Scenes envisioning the chaos and mayhem they could cause if they let their tempers get the better of them are balanced by calmer scenes of the celebratory events that result from their good deeds. Although the rhyming text is somewhat didactic, a spoonful of superheroes certainly helps the message go down.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2016 Booklist

PreS-Gr 2-Everyone has a bad day now and then-even superheroes. In this tale, readers see superheroes with great skills, abilities, and strength succumb to ill moods. Nonetheless, "upset superheroes have all sorts of choices..../Instead of destruction and loud, livid voices/they burn angry steam off with speed-of-light hiking/or super-Xtreme outer space mountain biking." The text acknowledges all the damage that the heroes could inflict, but "with great power comes great responsibility." Readers learn how these champions channel their energies in positive ways. This narrative is filled with diverse characters, from caped crusaders to badly behaving villains. However, the rhyming story is long and somewhat forced. The art is done with digital tools to create a cartoon appearance, full of action and vibrancy. VERDICT A suitable read-aloud choice to acknowledge intense feelings and diversify superhero collections. A good way to soothe bad days away.-Briana Moore, Elmont Memorial Library, NY © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.