Superheroes Don’t Babysit

PreS-Gr 2–A superhero is just about to save the city from an evil emperor when her father asks her to babysit her little brother. Despite her belief that superheroes don’t babysit, she undertakes the task. And it surely does take superhero powers as she deals with the mess her brother makes when creating an ice cream sundae and when she needs to change his messy diaper. Her superhuman powers are sorely tested when he accidentally breaks one of her action figures. She even secretly wishes he weren’t her brother—until he offers her his favorite teddy and a hug. Tensions eased, they settle down to read stories until the little boy falls asleep. Large illustrations are executed in saturated colors. The superhero, in red mask, cape, and matching socks, battles the emperor amidst cardboard cutouts of space ships and space people. Large, bold lettering reveals the girl’s chagrin when she realizes a stinky smell is coming from her little brother, and when she appears in a series of comic book panels trying to count herself down to calm acceptance. Eventually, she realizes that ”every superhero needs a sidekick.”