Friends, Fantasy and Secret Identities
Bedtime Blastoff!
By Luke Reynolds
Illustrated by Mike Yamada
Best for: Boys, ages 4-8
Do you have children who constantly try to delay bedtime? Or maybe they just love cars, trucks and other transportation-related pretend. Either way, Bedtime Blastoff! offers fun for Dad and child. In this tale, Reynolds uses an economy of words—declaring each scenario—and Dad and his little one work their way to bedtime. From train conductor to bulldozer operator to astronaut, each bit of pretend takes a little more energy out of the little boy and moves him one step closer to sleep. Yamada translates his Disney animation skills into colorful digital illustrations with a somewhat retro feel. Bedtime may never be the same for your rambunctious boys.
What’s good: Highly engaging for young, active boys who like to pretend.
What’s bad: The high energy pretending could lead to difficulties with bedtime.
Lionheart
By Richard Collingridge
Best for: Ages 4-8
With the feel of a Sendak story, Lionheart tackles things that go bump in the night. When Ricard hears a strange, scary noise, he runs from the sound. He knows something is following but he can’t seem to get away. He runs all the way to a magical jungle full of animals big and small. Along the way, he drops his beloved stuffed animal, Lionheart. When the monster gets close, Richard runs again, right into his fully grown and alive Lionheart. Together they roar so loudly that all the scary things are scared away.
Collingridge uses a dark palette of colors with a dreamlike touch to create a wonderfully illustrated bedtime story about facing one’s fears and the strength you can derive from friends—even if they’re stuffed.
What’s good: It’s always good to find bedtime books that help you face your fears.
What’s bad: The mystery surrounding the night monster could add to a younger child’s fears.
Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice
By Derek Fridolfs
Illustrated by Dustin Nguyen
Best for: Ages 7-10
Imagine what it would be like if Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent and Diana Prince all went to a private school together in Gotham as young students. That’s what this graphic novel does. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman all feel like outsiders at Ducard Academy, where the faculty encourages and rewards villainous behavior. The three young heroes band together to form a detective agency to see what the faculty is plotting and save the day—all before their 11:00 curfew.
This fun new take on these well-known heroes draw in old and new fans alike. The tale is told through comics, journal entries and doodles for a fun, fast-paced adventure.
What’s good: A fun new take on well-known characters.
What’s bad: Totally different than any existing backstories for these characters.