Super Jumbo

by Fred Koehler

The charmingly oblivious elephant Little Jumbo "saves the day" in a superhero story that’s perfect for fans of Ian Falconer’s Olivia.
 
Being a superhero isn’t easy. All Little Jumbo wants to do is fight crime and defend the weak, by doing things like halting traffic for snails to cross the street and stopping Dad from sneaking cookies. It’s not his fault grown-ups don’t appreciate his heroic deeds! Luckily, Little Jumbo doesn't give up easily. He even powerfully resists cake (his greatest weakness!) to help a new friend in need!
 
Super Jumbo is the hilariously sweet companion to Fred Koehler’s standout debut, How to Cheer Up Dad, which received three starred reviews.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Superheroes, Childrens, Animals, Fiction, Humor

32 pages, Hardcover

First published February 23, 2016

About the author

Fred Koehler is an artist and writer whose real-life misadventures include sunken boats, shark encounters, and getting caught in a hurricane. Whether freediving in the Gulf of Mexico or backpacking across Africa, Fred's sense of adventure and awe of nature overflow into his characters' stories. He won a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for his illustrations for One Day, The End. Fred is passionate about encouraging young artists, promoting social justice, and conserving our environment. He lives in Florida with his wife, kids, and a rescue dog named Cheerio Mutt-Face McChubbybutt. Visit www.ilikefred.com

Reviews

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intentions for a little super hero elephant always end in less than desired results. Such a true theme! How often do our own good intentions not go quite the way we thought? But Super Jumbo perseveres with his super thoughtful attempts at being helpful and super. Eventually he does help a friend mend his wagon - resisting a major temptation - but we'll have to see how that turns out! I think this would make a great read-aloud for storytime.

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this little elephant who's determined to save the day (even when it doesn't need saving!) The reactions and expressions of the everyone who encounters Super Jumbo and his hijinks are especially funny.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much wonderfulness!!

[Belinda Grimbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read two books: SUPER JUMBO and ONE DAY, THE END and both books signed by him too! (Yes, I’m super happy to have met and heard him at an #scbwi conference a few years back)

As an illustrator in training, I’m still trying to find my style which carries equal weight to author’s voice (sometimes maybe even more?). I’m not sure when I’ll ever find mine, but Fred’s style is unmistakable.

My favorite thing about his style (at least, in these two books) is the way he does his outlines. It seems there’s a hefty debate about whether to outline or not to outline? Should outlines be solid or broken up? Fat or thin? It goes on…

But not Fred. If he’s going to draw an outline, he’s going to make it matter. It’s going to have substance. Its going to be lines upon lines. It’s going to have a personality of its own! I love it!

#picturebookillustrators #outlines #drawingstyle

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little Jumbo's alter ego "Super Jumbo" just wants to help people. He is determined to persevere and save everyone around him (whether they need saving or not). Lots of funny situations to make the reader laugh, and finally a real opportunity to be a hero. But, temptation strikes! Will Super Jumbo prevail or fall?
A fun group read aloud!

[Joanne Zienty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute tale of the trials and tribulations of superhero-dom. The young elephant Little Jumbo is inclined to be a hero, but he finds his efforts to save his neighborhood mostly unappreciated. Expressive illustrations help convey our little hero's dilemmas.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect for my super-hero-loving almost 4-year-old. Action, humor, and warmth, all in a quick read. We've read this so many times before bed that I may have to get his own copy instead of constantly borrowing from the library.

[Lauri Meyers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo is a superhero, but no one seems to appreciate his strength and spped. His crime fighting attempts make neighbors annoyed. But he really saves the day helping a new friend with his wagon… before they both attempt to stop the next crime in an unfortunate fashion.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely darling! Charming illustrations and a story about the fun of imagination, earnest desire to help others, and friendship.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little elephant is a super hero, saving the day whether it needs it or not.

[Reem · Rating 5 out of 5]

'I would love to have the book because saving someone in a day is very good'- 5 year old Noah

[Trisha Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book, but it wasn't a big hit for Story Time.

[Kareena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A silly story, but definitely a lap read. The pictures are what really make it, so it's not great for a big group.

[Kaycee Koizumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book insanely hilarious and loved it! I laughed out loud most of the book. I think kids may miss the comedy in it but I personally found it fantastic.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorable art, but not much to the story. Feels like what often happens when a great illustrator is also the author. There's something missing in the text that causes the book to feel unbalanced.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super Jumbo is a naughty little child elephant who causes a lot of problems when he is attempting to be helpful, but I did appreciate when he helped his friend. Cool illustrations.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 3 out of 5]

These vigilantes must be stopped! Or at least ignored, as this is just a middling-quality book. If your little one has a love of elephants and superheroes, obviously, a home run, but if those aren't in your child's interests, this is, at best, a library borrowing book. Parents might even object to the book, as it portrays Little Jumbo acting a bit more like a super-villain at time, stealing cookies, chasing cats up trees, and shooing away pigeons from their feed. Nothing terribly malicious, but, for me, I think I'll be avoiding presenting my child with that kind of inspiration.

Little Jumbo is make-believing his is a superhero, doing various "good deeds," all of which backfire spectacularly. It's only when he goes for something a bit smaller that he manages to help those in need.

This seems to be a sequel to "How to Cheer Up Dad." Again, if your kid was wild about the first book, this one will probably be a win. But, otherwise, just check it out from your local library for a trial run. While I think this book can be enjoyed, it probably won't e requested a second time, given an array of other options.

[Jana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a funny picture book about a little elephant that wants to be a superhero. He calls himself Super Jumbo, and goes around looking for people that need help. But like lots of little kids, his help isn't particularly helpful or appreciated. Eventually he finds one of his friends that needs help and realizes that it's awesome to help your friends out. Funny illustrations along with cute text will make this book popular with young readers.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

"For Little Jumbo, being a superhero was not an easy job."

... and for those around him, it takes a lot of patience to deal with this particular superhero. But Little Jumbo is determined to keep his neighborhood safe. Little Jumbo's heart is in the right place and sometimes his superhero activity hits the mark.

Adorable illustrations (helping snails across the street and cats up a tree) that will help students understand the power of illustrations to tell part of the story.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Jumbo lives with is dad. He wants to be a superhero, but sometimes his efforts are helpful. Say, helping a cat into a tree. But he keeps helping, because some time it'll work out.
Oh did I grin and laugh at this book. Freaking adorable. Those snails! The cape from curtains! How the dad looks at the stuff his kid does.
"A superhero is always there to lend a hand (or a push.) Because saving the day with a friend can make the world a little more super."

[Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo wants to help however he can by trying to save the day. At the same time, others see him as messing around and causing trouble. In the end, he just wants to help. Shows children that they can be imaginative and enjoy using the simple things around them to create a bigger story. Teaches parents to find creative ways for children to help. I really like the art work and the one liner text is simple for a young child to read/listen.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a super hero is the plan today. Being stronger, faster can only be better right. But as the young elephant in the story learns sometimes being a super hero doesn't necessarily mean being better if it only makes things harder for others. Caring, attention, and patience may be what needs to save the day after all.

[Jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very cute illustrations and while I'm sure Jumbo's heart really is in a good place, I could see his mischievous antics getting him in deep trouble. Maybe his new friend will steady him. The basic premise felt familiar, but it didn't stop it from being a fun read.

Would be good for a preschool story time session.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adorable! I love that there's a picture in the background on one page of Little Jumbo and Big Jumbo together, suggesting a single-dad family, and Little Jumbo comes to the rescue of a little fuzzy guy with a bowtie who's crying. Funny escapades, great lesson at end about helping out. City scenes are very relatable for kids (e.g. a little one getting a haircut, a coffee shop, a bakery).

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Little jumbo (From "How to Cheer Up Dad") is back with his innocent& determined actions, which are sometimes appreciated and sometimes, not so much, as he ..."defended the weak" and "tirelessly crusaded against the forces of evil..."
Simple illustrations, limited use of color to highlight what's key on each page, done in digital media, pencil & pen.

[Silence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audience: Preschool / Grade School
Illustrations: So cute!
Plot / Review: LOVE THIS! It's hard being a superhero, but this little guy is adorableness personified! Such a cute book about trying your best, even if you fail sometimes.
Read Aloud: Yes, but it's a solid one-on-one read too.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Jumbo may be small in stature, but he has a big imagination. Fighting crime wherever he goes (whether it is necessary or not) Little Jumbo is determined to save the day as he embraces his secret identity: Super Jumbo!
Reviewer # 21

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story about a little elephant trying to be a super hero and help others. However, if I were his mother, he'd be in timeout a lot, because his well-intentioned activities don't always have good results, at least for others!

[Vonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for its limited language & delightful character. The pictures tell the story as much as the words. Jumbo is a delightful character with personality & the message of friendship is of course so universal & very well done in this book!