Kapow!

by George O'Connor

Do you have what it takes to be a superhero?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Superheroes, Graphic Novels, Humor, Juvenile

48 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2004

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base and there are multiple George O'Conner's that illustrate comics

George O'Connor is the author of several picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Kapow!, Kersplash, and Sally and the Some-thing. JOURNEY INTO MOHAWK COUNTRY was his first graphic novel, a long-held dream that weaves together his passion for history and ongoing research into Native American life. He's also the author/illustrator of a new picture book, If I Had a Raptor.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Reviews

[Jessica Calaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

5 - 6 years

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

We started reading the Olympians series by George O'Connor recently and when I posted my review here on Goodreads, I noticed that he'd written several picture books as well and I thought we'd check some of them out at our local library.

We found this book to be quite humorous and entertaining. I love that the little boy takes responsibility for his actions and I love the mom's reaction even more. It's a great example of how to handle a mini-disaster. Our girls loved the imaginary personas of the Bug Lady and American Eagle.

The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and are the highlight of the story. We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Nomad nimrod · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.

[Paige Hirsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

1. The book "Kapow!" by George O'Connor is a picture book using a comic book theme to tell a story. It is a story of a boy and a girl who are playing superhero. They learn a lesson about telling the truth.

2. This book is a great way to introduce graphic text. It is a different genre than the students see all of the time. They will enjoy the pictures and superhero theme. What child doesn't love superheroes?

3. I would pair this book with "Ten Rules of being a superhero" by Deb Pilutti.

4. "Prepare to be snapped , Rubber Bandit!" the hero threatens. "Mom says no hitting!" Rubber Bandit protests."

[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ability to illustrate such hyper active kids and all of the messes they make is truly a skill set. The story is adorable, and the illustrations are hysterical.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute idea, like the pages of them in their imaginations.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable and so fun! Good intro to graphic novel format as well. I wonder how kids would draw themselves as super heroes.

[Vicki Kier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kapow! is the debut work of George O'Connor, author of the popular graphic novel series The Olympians. O'Connor wastes no time beginning this fast-paced tale, opening the story with two frames before the title page, squeezing in two more before opening with a brightly colored double-page spread of a young boy's imaginary transformation from everyday kid to "American Eagle". Five more frameless, double-page spreads feature glimpses into the boy's super-sized imagination, while surrounding pages are framed with dialogue grounded in the realities of life: a picked-on brother, the family cat, his mom.

Coloring of penciled work appears amateurish when enlarged on the double-page spreads. This is forgiveable, however, given the otherwise clever use of perspective and layout--particularly in scenes featuring the boys' mother. Highly recommended read for young comic lovers or reluctant readers who are sure to be drawn by the unintimidating dialogue bubbles and limited text. (Ages 4-8)

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book caught my eye recently as I was checking in books because I love graphic novels and enjoy comics. When I looked more closely I saw that it was written and illustrated by George O'Connorwhom I first saw talking about his book Journey Into Mohawk Countryat the ICv2 Conference in NYC. This is such a wonderful picture book because two friends pretend to be superheroes so the view changes from their reality to a vision of what their superhero selves would look like! It's super awesome and fun.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! It has so much energy, and the illustrations are full-page, end of paper to end of paper, big and bold. I liked how the pictures switch to the characters' adult superhero personas when their adventures are happening, but reverts to the children in their costumes. It works well as a transition device.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute book, almost a comic book/graphic novel in picture book format, using speech bubbles for dialogue. Would be great for someone looking for "superhero books", since it features a boy with a big imagination playing superhero with his friends; the scenes of real life and playacting interchange rapidly, which might confuse some younger readers as to what is "real".

[Shelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story of some children at play. How what they imagine and what is actually happening are very different. To some, American Eagle may just look like a small boy in a dorky hat, t-shirt, homemade cap, and yellow shoes; to others (himself included) he is a SUPER HERO! Along with his side kick Bug Lady they have an action packed day of riding the house (or city) of danger.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kids make a mess of things when they get carried away playing superheroes. Great comic book style illustrations alternate between what's really happening with kids in costumes running around the house and two-page spreads of their imagined superheroes in action. In the end, superheroes work together and use their powers to clean up their messes.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book might be hard to follow for preschoolers as pages alternate between kids as kids and kids as superheroes. Older sibling and pal trap pet cat in a laundry basket, roughhouse with little brother. The rare superheroine, Bug Lady, wears about half the clothes when shown as an adult compared to the male hero American Eagle.

[The Brothers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A comic-book like narrative of a boy and his friends playing super hero. They ignore his mother's warning not to rough house and end up knocking over a bookcase. I love how the story's illustrations alternate between what the kids look like and what they imagine they look like.

Cartoony, fun illustrations.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story about kids playing pretend, which is made all the more fantastic by the addition of pictures of their superhero personas doing what their imaginations think they are doing. Can't wait to use this in storytime.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun! my boys & I loved this story of imagination and superheroes and working together. it was a great introduction to comic-book style format for my preschoolers. I just realized that this is the same O'Connor who has recently put out the Olympians series--big fan!

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little boy and his friend imagine they are superheroes and almost get in trouble for too much roughhousing.

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite picture books. Love the technique, the colors, the illustration style. One I come back to again and again.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute. I liked the interplay of reality v. imagination. My superhero-obsessed 4-year old picked this out at the library and really enjoyed it.

[Katie Jelinek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This interesting book was about truth, justice, and the American Eagleway! Kapow is a comic book that portrays a young boy who realizes what it really means to be a superhero.

[Ian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rote.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truth, justice, and the American Eagle way! A young boy realizes what it really means to be a superhero. Do you have what it takes to be a superhero?

[librarianh20 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun mix of comic book/picture book styles