My hero

Quicker than lightning and stronger than steel--but disguised as a normal child--Abigail is actually (cue superhero music) Awesome Girl! But every time she reminds her father that she is a defender of justice, he just reminds her to be careful as she goes about her derring-do. While Abigail hurls herself into superhero work, Dad is never far behind, making sure she stays safe. But when an evil purple octopus kidnaps her father, it's up to Awesome Girl to save the day and finally make him recognize her for the hero she is. The pastel and colored pencil artwork is softer and gentler in line and color than traditional superhero stories, but there are still plenty of clever nods to the genre, including an homage to Clark Kent in the father's appearance and the way that the traditional full-page picture book spreads change into graphic novel panels for the purple octopus plot line. Above all else, this is a sweet father-daughter story about believing in your child, but with the bonus of a flying cat sidekick.

Biggs flips the script on classic father-daughter tales with this standout book, which casts "gallant girl of greatness" Abigail, aka Awesome Girl, as a hero who comes to her dad's aid. The high-octane adventure opens with the pink-skinned, freckled protagonist attempting to rescue a cat. When Dad, who also reads as white, announces that it's bath time, his constant cautionary admonitions annoy the young superhero: "I know you don't believe me, Daddy, but it's true. If you ever get into trouble, I'll save you. I'll be your hero." An opportunity soon presents itself after bath-toy-turned-villain Purple Octopus ensnares Daddy. Presented in comics-style panels, the wily cephalopod attempts to sow doubts about whether Awesome Girl's father believes in her, but the dauntless heroine finds the confidence to prevail. Biggs's lively storytelling and polychromatic mixed-media illustrations achieve the difficult task of being simultaneously action-packed and emotionally complex, making this an ideal book for budding superheroes. Ages 4--8. (May)