New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Stephanie Graegin bring a lionhearted new hero to life in this tender, sparkling story about standing up for what's right--and finding your inner superpowers.
Every day after school, Manny saves the world from formidable foes. I AM FEARLESS! I AM STRONG! I AM BRAVE! I AM POWERFUL! I AM INVINCIBLE!
Zombie bears, evil cloud monsters, and alien robots with laser beam eyes are no match for Super Manny. But when Manny encounters a real-life nemesis in the school cafeteria, will he be able to summon his superhero strength to save the day?
"The story of a brave little raccoon named Manny, whose superhero games at home give him unexpected strength at school when he puts on his invisible cape to stand up to a bully"--
At home, a young raccoon named Manny wears a variety of colored capes that conjure up specific powers, helping him to overcome imagined foes like sea monsters, zombie bears, and alien robots. At school, an invisible cape helps him get in touch with his inner power and stand up to a bully. In true hero fashion, his actions encourage other students to defy the bully and he may even get a sidekick. Richly colored digitally enhanced pencil-and-ink illustrations show that Manny lives with his family in a comfortable suburban environment. Detailed interior scenes make clear the genesis for his imagined foes: goldfish become sea monsters; teddy bears morph into zombie bears. The other students at Manny's school are an array of adorable wild and domesticated animals. Even the bully (a large pig) is not all that menacing. The brief and straightforward narration is enhanced occasionally by dialogue placed neatly in speech bubbles. Sweet and sincere Manny proves he has the mettle to stand up to foes real and imaginary.--Enos, Randall Copyright 2017 Booklist
Horn Book Review
At home, raccoon Manny wears different-color capes that give him imagined superpowers. At school, he wears an invisible cape, which comes in handy when a bully picks on a schoolmate. Manny courageously speaks up, encouraging other students to don their invisible capes and join in. The appealing mixed-media illustrations show the impact one individual can have when speaking out against bullies. (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Book Review
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 speakersa 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) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.