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, Childrens, Graphic Novels, Animals, Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hupsu sarjakuva Zeppo seeprasta, pingviinistä nimeltä Margariini, joka on saanut nimensä äitinsä Margareetta Rasian mukaan, sekä tunneälykkäästä rengashäntämaki Börjestä, jotka odottavat päivän loppuun saakka saadakseen omat "huikeat" supervoimansa. Ja entäs se supervoimaministeriön kansliapäällikkö, jonka lempiohjelma on Näin maali kuivuu. Kai se kertoo jotain minusta ja laadukkaasta huumorintajustani, että nauroin tälle makeasti.

[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.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and adorable! Really enjoyed this one and the humor.

[LaurenAlexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, super silly, gives off "Madagascar" movie humour

[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.

[whatbooknext · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zeb the Zebra, Marmalade the Penguin and Barry the Lemur are standing in line. This line of animals is very, very, very long and the three friends just happen to be right on the end of it. They are eagerly waiting to reach the front, as today is the day each and every animal is given superpowers!

As they wait, they wonder what they will get. Will it be strength, speed or invisibility? Will it be flight, x-ray vision or maybe even speaking every language? But no. When they finally reach the front of the line, after hours and hours behind a large buffalo bottom, they are disappointed. No more than Zeb. He had grand dreams while he was waiting. This was going to be his chance to make his mark on the world…..

Marmalade and Barry are pleased with their new superpowers, but Zeb is already planning what he can do with his to finally get some recognition. But can he do it without his best buddies?


Swapna Haddow never fails to make readers laugh out loud with her animal antics. Add Minky Stapleton’s hilarious portrayal’s of Swapna’s characters and you have a dream team of giggles aplenty.

Three animals are best friends, and as in real life, friends can be close, but very different. They have their squabbles but are there for each other when things go pear-shaped, or crocodile shaped as in The Terrible Trio: The not so Superheroes.

Looking forward to the next in this trilogy of laughs.

Age – 6+

Graphic Novel

[Murray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zeb the zebra, Marge the penguin, and Barry the lemur are the last three animals waiting in line to receive there super power, but when they get to the front the squirrel that is giving out the super powers is ready to go home and watch his favorite TV program, but the trio gets the squirrel to honor their request and Marge can make mac & cheese out of anything, Barry is given excellent handwriting, and Zeb is able to blend in the background. Barry and Marge are satisfied with their new abilities but Zeb is not and wants to prove to his friends that he can be a hero so he's off to thwart a prison breakout by a crocodile. Lots of humor but also looks at the importance of being true to yourself and friendship. First in a new graphic novel series. Illustrations are in black and white. Recommended for fans of The Bad Guys series.

[Luccia Verdi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was so good. I really enjoyed it. It’s about a lemur penguin and a zebra and they were at the end of the line for superpowers. The person who is giving the superpowers out didn’t see them at the end of the line so they got their superpowers lost and they had to get horrible powers the penguin and the lemur really liked it but the zebra didn’t like his powers and then at the end the zebra learn to like his powers a lot so I really like this book. This is fun and I can’t wait to read another one

[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.

[Finley Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this funny NZ graphic novel.It was full of exitment and my favourite bit was when Marge was talking to the person who was handing out the superpowers and were talking about there favourite programs.My second favourite was when the squirill said that"He would have to skip the adds which is annoying,I love that stickman who conpares supermarket prices" and Marges response I love that guy too!"

[Anniina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pidimme tästä tosi paljon, luimme iltasatuna lapsen kanssa. Tämä oli symppis, hauska, kivasti kuvitettu, piti otteessaan alusta loppuun. Sopii mainiosti monenikäiselle lapselle, suositusiän 5+ olisi voinut mielestäni jättää pois, en usko että olisi välttämättä liian pelottava sitä pienemmille mutta saattaa karkottaa vanhempia lukiojoita.
Aivan mainio teos!

[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.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it)

This was silly but I liked it. I think the description of it being The Bad Guys meets Madagascar is pretty spot on. I like the message of friendship. I also think it would be fun for students to think of superpowers that they wouldn't be satisfied with.

[Emileigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It was a funny book, I liked that the frog had 3 eyes in the stinky bog, and the spit that was an eraser” Vance, 6yo

These are the niche-est details to remember 🤣 this was a silly book we all enjoyed.

[Leah Odorico · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great and funny series, and I would love to read more of them.
It's a great little series that I can see kids really enjoying reading.
It's got humour, heart and good lessons that kids can learn.
Marge has the best superpower in my opinion.

[Pam Page · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[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.

[Whitney Denney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply excellent and absolutely hilarious. A great read for children and adults alike.

[Avril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review from a 10 year old: It was a very nice book though the creators of this book should add colour

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious! It made me laugh out loud in public.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun, fun! love how expressive the animals' expressions are

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun series for kiddos- similar format to The Bad Guys series.

[Hanna]

Fast-paced but I forgot to finish it and I couldn't remember if it was a cool ride of a scene.

[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.

3/26 Update: I listened to the audiobook of this as well which is also a delight.