The (Not So) Superheroes

The Terrible Trio #1

by Swapna Haddow, Minky Stapleton (illustrator)

The Terrible Trio is a fun illustrated series, best described
as The Bad Guys meets Madagascar!
In a world where all animals have superpowers, Zeb the zebra,
Margarine the penguin, and Barry the lemur have the WORST powers
of all.


Zeb, Margarine, and Barry end up at the back of the line to have
the Superpower Supermarket Manager grant them their superpowers
and end up getting the short end of the stick. Margarine is granted
the special ability to make macaroni and cheese. Barry the Lemur
is gifted with the power to write neatly. And Zeb the Zebra
can now blend in with a crosswalk...


Working at a café and watching everybody else save the
world day in and day out, Zeb, Margarine, and Barry wonder if they
will ever get to be superheroes for a day themselves.

Genres: Humor, Graphic Novels, Animals, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Adventure

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Penny Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this fun graphic novel. So full of fun and silliness with a great messages about gratitude and friendship. Highly recommend. The art is so much fun! I can't wait to read more about The Terrible Trio.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by Scholastic

When the Powers That Be agree that all animals can have super powers, Zeb the Zebra, Barry the Lemur, and Margarine (Marge) the Penguin get stuck at the end of the line behind an enormous rhinoceros. They almost don't get powers, but when they convince the bestower to forgo watching his favorite show, Watching Paint dry, and give them powers, they end up with ones that are a bit odd. Marge gets the ability to make mac and cheese out of anything by stirring briskly, Barry gets beautiful handwriting, and Zeb gets the ability to blend in with crosswalks, which he can do anyway. The three really still want to be super heroes, so apply to work at the Superheroes Cafe. They are hired, since super heroes don't want to work there. Marge and Barry are fairy happy, but Zeb constantly feels like a failure. When Zeb overhears a chicken with super strength talking about a plot for a very dangerous crocodile to escape from prison, the trio decides that they will be the ones to save the day. They manage to get into the prison by offering up a pot of mac and cheese, but Barry and Marge chicken out. Zeb perseveres, and his superpower ends up helping to capture the evil crocodile. Will the trio find more goofy adventures where they can use their powers?

While the goofy, slapstick humor of this was more on the elementary side of the Pilkey Line, I'm sure my incoming 6th graders will fight to have my ARC of this title. Hand this one to fans of Krosoczka's 2013 The Platypus Police Squad, Blabey's Cat on the Run, or Barnett and Harris' The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza.

[Sean Harding · Rating 3 out of 5]

Haddow #1
The Terrible Trio #1
Bonkers book which owes a lot to authors like Aaron Blabey and movies like Madagascar is made up of a daft plot and ultimately misses a bullseye - it has some humorous moments and is like other books of its ilk sparsely with words, overall an ok read which will be probably enjoyed by many, but I can't see it having the same impact as The Bad Guys unless it develops the characters more.

[Christine Ervin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course I give this book 5 stars. Afterall, there is a penguin who is one of the terrible trio. How terrible can they be! It actually is a kids book but I had to read it. It gives a good lesson that we are all special in our own ways. And of course I though Marge the Penguin was the main star!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

After waiting in line all day to receive a superpower, Zeb the Zebra, Margarine the Penguin, and Barry the Lemur receive some questionable superpowers. Out to prove their worth and get better superpowers, the trio finds themselves in a grave situation.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and silly graphic novel for earlier readers and perfect for fans of Bad Guys!

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I saw this cover and I immediately thought, “please live up to your cover.” Reader, the book lived up to the cover. It’s funny and clever and kids who like Bad Guys will snatch it right up.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Bumbling superpowers

[Erin Rollins-McKinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was boring and kinda annoying. But read it, know what my son was reading. It was not a bad story just not for me.

[Polly Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cute and funny! A good book to help kids think about what it means to be a friend.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever graphic novel.