I Just Want To Be Super!

by Andrew Katz, Tony Luzano (Illustrator)

One morning, Nino finds a mask that gives him amazing powers. He can’t wait to blast into action! But no one will let him do all the super things he wants to do. Instead, everybody tells him stuff like Put away your dishes. Get dressed. Be CAREFUL.

Will Nino ever get the chance to show how super he can be?

With empathy, humor and exuberant imagination, dynamic writer-illustrator duo Andrew Katz and Tony Luzano tell a story all children will relate to, one about stretching their limits and discovering just what it means to be super.

Fans of Calvin (Calvin and Hobbes), Max (Where The Wild Things Are) and any kid with LOTS of energy will discover a kindred spirit in Nino. There are also character education lessons here, perfect for discussions both in the classroom and at home, on learning to use strength in a way that is positive and conscious of others.

Genres: Picture Books, Superheroes, Childrens, Family, Plays

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 16, 2020

About the author

Andrew Katz is a bilingual children's author based in Montreal. ​His first picture book, co-written with Juliana Léveillé-Trudel and illustrated by Gemini Award-winning illustrator Joseph Sherman, was How to Catch a Bear Who Loves to Read, published simultaneously in French as Comment attraper un ours qui aime lire (2018). The debut was nominated for the 2020 Forest of Reading's Prix Peuplier. His second picture book, I Just Want To Be Super!, was also published in both English and French (Je suis Super Nino!) in 2020 and won the Independent Press Distinguished Favorites award.

Andrew's next picture book, the second book in the Julia and Bertrand series, was A Starlit Trip to the Library, or in French, Voyage de nuit à la bibli (September 2022). The book includes an original song written and composed by Andrew and performed by Taes Leavitt, aka “Boots”, from the two-time JUNO Award-winning children’s music duo SPLASH’N BOOTS. (The song can be found online here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c7rr... or or Spotify or iTunes by searching for the book title.)

Andrew has two upcoming picture books: an ecological fable titled Jackie's Drawing (in French, Le dessin de Charlie), out in May 2025, and the third book in the Julia and Bertrand series, Little Hearts in the Snow (in French, Petits coeurs sur la neige), set for release in October 2025.

When he isn't writing stories, Andrew teaches Children’s Literature and Creative Writing at Dawson College in Montreal. In 2013 he won his school’s Director General’s Award for Teaching Excellence.

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My little one was immediately drawn to this book because of the amazing cover. He is extremely into anything involving super heroes at the moment! Nino is a little boy who finds a super hero mask that gives him awesome powers! He is full of energy, but no one seems to be letting him do all the things he wants to do in order to be super! It's all about learning to use your "special powers" in a positive, mindful, and constructive way. The illustrations were beautiful and colorful, and I loved how you were able to see inside Nino's imagination from his point of view.

*Thanks to NetGally and CrackBoom! Books for providing a copy of this Ebook - All thoughts and opinions are my own**

[Lisa Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get a sneak preview of this wonderful book. While some adults try to tamp down energetic children, this book celebrates their energy with pure joy. This story is crafted in a way that makes energetic children feel understood and validated. It's beautifully written with humour and high energy that will appeal to kids. The illustrations blast off the pages with colour and lots of movement...lots of energy. Katz and Luzano have created a special book in which an often perceived negative is turned into a superhero. Bravo! I can't wait to see what these two do next!

[Claudie C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I really enjoyed dynamic artwork of this book, bring the energy and dynamism of the story to life.
It's great to see how a young boy's imagination is brought to life in his everyday tasks and activity. Also great parallel with superhero stories, but once again age appropriate.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follows a child with a big imagination throughout his daily routine. He finds a mask and imagines he has superpowers. He gets more and more upset when he can’t do some things he wants. The story is about how he copes with that. His family establish good boundaries with him but are patient, which I think is a good message. Eventually in a very imaginative way the child understands a little better about being “super”. I thought it was a really fun adventure. The drawings were wonderful. Or should I say, super!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deceptively simple but actually a lot going on. Just like kids can imagine a box to be anything, the boy here imagines that a mask gives him the power to do anything. But the story is also about the way we use our powers and how we develop empathy. The kind of story that can be re-read many times and find new things in it.

[Alexane Desbiens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations and a great representation of a sweet but active kid (also of a POC). Loved the imaginativeness and unexpected twists of the story.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great artwork. Love all the different angles. They give a child’s view of things.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood is an adventurous and magical time wherein we know that the world is filled with wonder and superpowers. At the very same time, as children, we are on a learning journey of how to fit in and get along with others, gradually learning that the age old cliche of "there's a time and a place" might just be true.

Wow, what a monumental task to unwind the mixed up ball of us and others. As a therapist, I see both kids and adults navigating this challenge all the time. And what a beautiful journey, learning to appreciate that our gentleness and ability to take care of others might be just as powerful as our boundless energy, and understanding that this boundless energy can be something helpful and useful and welcome when paired with gentleness. Who knew such opposing ideas and feelings could work together and live in the same body? And in the same story!

Learning to appreciate all our superpowers is a beautiful, challenging, lifelong journey. Nino is off to a strong start in this adventurous and magical book.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nino wants to be super, and in his imagination he does things that are larger than life, because he thinks that is what must be done to be super. His parents remind him that he needs to do everyday average things like cleaning his room and helping around the house. At first, he feels these chores and everything else, need to be done in a boisterous fashion. As the day progresses he continues to learn from those around him that being careful, gentle and kind can be super too. Also, that one can be quiet, and super as well. I think the message here is a really positive one that young readers might need a little help with in terms of its subtle nature. I was grateful for an e-ARC of this book that my ARC sharing group Book Portage was given by the publisher. When I get a copy, I am curious to see how many little readers are distracted by the idea of having loud super powers and by the beauty in the illustration to notice a couple small changes Nino's face that show he learns the lesson.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a son with a TON of extra energy and this was a rare book that appealed to him and to us. The cover just caught our attention right away. The author shows that kids who are really energetic and may not have the same attention span of other kids have something special to teach us. The artwork and color in the book are incredible. I love that the family supports Nino but also sets his boundaries without making him feel small. We have struggled with this in our family and I just love the representation of love for this very special kid. I lam grateful for the perspective that this book gives to families like ours but I think the book will appeal to every kid who wants to feel loved and accepted for all of their gifts. It's a thoughtful but very fun book.

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Just Want to be Super is a compelling story full of fun and whismy about a boy called Nino who dons mask which gives him superpowers and super-energy. The writing is rythmic and catchy; action words and onomatopea are artfully used to convey the high-energy nature of the narrative and main character. The illustrations are clean and equally dynamic. Perspective is used to great effect to illustrate Nino's would-be superpowers.

This book clearly conveys the imagination and energy (some would say hyperactivity) of little boys . It is a fun read, with a direct style and a touch of poetry towards the end.

All in all, this is a great book. Kids will love it.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vibrant illustrations (and I mean very vibrant and colorful) catch the reader’s eye, along with an adventurous story that a wide range of readers can enjoy. Nicely done!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cute book is one of the most active picture books I have ever read. I find this book to be really stimulating and effective seeing it as an effort to encourage the kids to have an active imagination as well as a way to tell them when to not go overboard with it. I love how the illustrations make this book so interesting and lively! The cat is so adorable. And the family seems amazing. I appreciate the fact that while reading this book, I felt like the book is actually written by a child and not from an adult's perspective. I really, really appreciate this. Somehow most of the picture books seem like they are written by adults in a way how we adults imagine the world of kids may be. So this particular book stands out.

Thank you #NetGalley for the copy of this book #IJustWanttobeSuper!

[La Coccinelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesn't really work for me. Right from the get-go, I was distracted (or, rather, disgusted) by the initial event. See, Nino doesn't "find" the mask. His cat brings it in. It's literally something the cat dragged in, and his parents just let him put it on his face. (I'll be waiting for the sequel: I Just Want to Cure My Pinkeye!)

The rest of the book is unimpressive, and Nino models questionable (or outright naughty) behaviour throughout. I get that he's supposed to be young, so I can forgive the whining and stomping of feet when he doesn't want to do something. But then he does obnoxious things (like throwing tomatoes) or downright dangerous things (like almost throwing a giant rock), and the way these events are dealt with doesn't really show kids that what he's doing is wrong. In the former case, he's shown sitting by himself "for a while". Judging by the picture, he's being punished for being a brat. Parents might get it, but little kids probably won't.

Nino just wants to feel super, and he eventually gets to use his imagination to make that happen. But I think the book goes off the rails a little bit there, too. Everything is pretty true to life up until that point, and then he's suddenly flying to Mars and having hot chocolate with aliens. I don't think that part even needed to be there. Him imagining a tree as a monster that's trapped his cat is more than enough fantasy.

The illustrations are clear, colourful, and cartoony. Kids might like them.

Overall, this was a bit of a disappointment for me. I don't like the way the kid's behaviour was portrayed (especially since the issue of consequences wasn't clearly addressed). Also, who lets their kids literally fling glitter all over the room? I mean, that's not actually dangerous, but it's probably not something you want your own kids to see in a book and try to emulate.

Thank you to NetGalley and CrackBoom! Books for providing a digital ARC.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story of imagination, how to have fun, and how to be super. Kept my kids entertained and interested. My 3 year old immediately wanted to have it read to him again! When asked what they liked best, my daughter loved the cat and my son the idea of being a superhero.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the chance to read this book.

***Update: Added a star because my (3 year old) son has requested this book to be read at least once a day in the five days since I first reviewed it. He even rejects other former favorite books in favor of this one. ***

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun-filled adventure with Nino as he learns about being super everything, from super active to super gentle. Great book to read with children who are learning to manage their energies!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with the cover of the book, the illustrations and exclamation marks grab you and pull you inside the mind of the protagonist and his authentic little kid energy. Parents will love the subtle message about harnessing that energy for good purposes, but children will be giddy with delight to see themselves, their true selves, spinning and flying around the pages.

[Stefanie Bevins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute little book. My son enjoyed it. The takeaway from the story for me was little boys are indeed super and can do so much 😊 The illustrations in this book are adorable. The story kept my ten month old interested 🤗

[Etienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not so sure about the message the author want to past it. Was it to accept kids with a lot of energy? What is more about self confidence? Power of imagination? It touch a bit at everything and offer a fun adventure, even if the message/morale of it seem a bit foggy to me. I would also add a little moderation about the tendency of this book, at least it felt that way to me, of over encouraging everything the kid does. I'm all about encouraging kid, but you have to be careful not spoiled them, its not because our are a kid that everything you do is always awesome and marvelous.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who may be interested in the inspiration behind this story, the themes I hoped to explore, etc., I wrote about them in this interview:

https://helenishmurzin.wordpress.com/...

Here as well is the Kirkus review for the book. An excerpt:

"Nino and his superpowers capture a child’s energy and wild imagination even as his family demonstrates patience and reasonable boundary-setting. Nino’s adventure, which kids can read as literal or imaginary as they will, shows that there are many different ways to be super, like showing empathy, helping others, making new friends, and being gentle. Nino’s character will resonate with kids, capturing a child’s perspective and emotions well. The appealing illustrations are fun and bold, exuding the super energy of the text, and present the whole family with brown skin and straight, black hair.

A super story for anyone who wants to be a superhero."

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...

Happy reading––of whatever books are super to you.

[Carlos Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voilà une super mignonne histoire (sans jeu de mots) ! Il s’agit de Nino, un petit garçon qui est très bon pour trouver magique dans les affaires quotidiennes. Même sa sieste de l’après-midi est une aventure. Pour moi, la magique c’est une chose qui nous manque quand on grandit. C’est un livre qui plaira les enfants et aussi les parents.

J’ai lu ce livre le 11 avril 2020. Merci à l’éditeur et à NetGalley de m’avoir accordé une copie avancée.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Nino's cat finds a mask, Nino puts it on and becomes. ..... A SUPERHERO! It was like flipping a switch, Nino started bouncing around with an abundance of energy. He was so imaginative and had to tone it down just a bit because he still had things he had to do. Nino's family, did not try to squash his fun, but worked with him to provide alternatives to do what he needed to do. As the day progresses, Nino realizes that he doesn't always have to be loud and full of energy, being quiet, gentle and helpful are also superpowers. Raising a child who had ADHD, I definitely identified with Nino's parents. The illustrations were wonderful in this story, so bright, vibrant and full of activity and fun. I read this to my grandson and he laughed, but also had some issues with it. He has mild autism and does not like loud noises or a lot of what he calls, "crazy times". He thought Nino was funny but also said that he would not want to live with Nino. We talked about how everyone is different and he was very quick to identify friends in his class that are like Nino and others who are more like him, but that they were all friends that just didn't play together all the time. Pretty smart for a 6 year old. A great book for families and classrooms. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only do I adore this book because I have been a superhero/heroine fan forever, but I also think that this is a highly relatable and relevant theme for kids. Children often feel like they have no power or control over things and pretending to have a superpower both exercise their imagination and also give them a feeling of having some power. The parents in the book also serve as good role models. I was an impatient mom and I could have learned a thing or two from how Nino’s parents react to his rambunctiousness. A SUPER fun book with a good underlying lesson!

[Jed Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading about superheroes is fun – becoming one is even better! In this super cool comic style children’s book, your child will be magically transported into the imaginary world to become the super Kid!

This endearing and beautifully illustrated tale follows a cute little boy named Nino, with tons of energy. He soars to new heights of imagination and confidence as he transforms into a brave and bold superhero with special powers, after wearing the superhero mask his pet cat Jaguar brings him one morning. He wants to do everything in super mode, from putting the dishes in the sink to saving his cat from a tree monster but he is told not to. Instead he is asked to put away his dishes, get dressed and be careful. With the help of his loving family, Nino discovers ways to be super by showing empathy to others and being super careful not to hurt anyone around him by his behaviour. He learns that his actions has consequences but all in a fun way as he uses his superpowers throughout the day.

The artwork by Tony Luzano are simply superb! It is hard to believe that this is his first children’s book. We love the usage of vibrant colors and oversized pictures to show Nino’s expressions from all the different angles. It is impressive to see that the entire family is represented with brown skin and straight, black hair. Kids will relate with this book as it is written and illustrated from the kid’s perspective. The illustrations stands out and it is guaranteed to stimulate kids development and ignite their imagination. The comic story line and amazing illustrations will inspire your child’s creativity.

This children’s book is filled with social-emotional messages about learning to control emotions and discovering what it means to be SUPER! An inspiring and fun book for your little one!

[Viv · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

While I'm a big fan of embracing the character and personality of your child, I had some problems with how this book dealt with Nino's high energy level.

I Just Want To Be Super! tells the story about Nino who's cat finds a mask, that makes him 'super'. He lives his best day full of stories about aliens and adventures, while his parents try to support their super energetic and imaginative son. It felt pretty real to me and I felt kinda exhausted after finishing this short book, because I know how it feels to be on the adult side of this story.

While I can imagine that it can help including this book in the daily life (You remember Nino and how he has been super but super gentle too? How can you be super gentle right now? Etc.) I still missed the boundaries that I perceive as important. The parents told Nino not to throw a rock, but he still threw tomatoes, stamped his foot etc.

I feel like this could have been a great way to show kids that they are right as they are, but that they can channel their 'super' energy in a way that might help them grow in a creative and supportive way.

I feel like my godson would think it's a funny idea to throw tomatoes after reading this book. So I really missed a stronger message about how to embrace and use your super powers as a kid.

[Laurie Hnatiuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author Andrew Katz and the publisher for sharing a PDF ARC copy of this book for my ARC sharing group Book Portage.

Nino is a youngster with loads of energy that no one in his family seems to appreciate and when his cat Jagar brings him a mask Nino becomes “Super” using his imagination in creative ways and adjusting to everyday routines that he may not want to do but now has a “super” mindset. Young readers will identify and connect with Nino and his day to day activities and tasks, the need to burn off energy and want to do things in his way and in his own timing. And just as the day plays out so does Nino and we see a calming gentler kind of super, showing a tree how to be a friend with Jaguar, how to play with others and appreciate a bedtime story. The illustrations are playful and colourful and again will captivate younger readers recognizing their day to day routines and believe will be a favourite for the younger crowd. Don’t be surprised when this one is asked to be read over and over and leading off to their own super adventures. Available June 16

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I am missing something here, but this book seems to be about an overly hyperactive boy, who either thinks he has super powers, or does, magically get them, and then he overdoes it.

His father keeps catching him in the act, such as throwing a rock, or lifting the coach, and tells him not to.

I find it hard to believe that his parents condone a glittery painting, but perhaps they do. Sounds like a horrible mess to me.



I suppose it is all supposed to be harmless and fun, but it is hard, sometimes, to think that this is what parents have to deal with day after day.

Perhaps this is for that hyperactive child, but I doubt they would sit still to read the book.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Elizabeth]

When I was Google searching for books for high-energy kids, looking for Christmas gifts for Nibling #2, I found this blogpost from the author (which is what prompted me to check out the book):

When I write for kids, my hope is to create a story in which they can recognize themselves––a story that meets them where they are, that celebrates where they are, even as it invites them to explore new possibilities.  

In the case of the story for my nephew, this meant, first of all, trying to imagine events from his point of view, including the situations that were getting him into trouble. What did it feel like to be bursting with energy? To want to blast into action, like a superhero raring to use their powers, only to have everyone always telling you to hold back that impulse? 

To capture that feeling, I started to develop a story about a young boy with actual superpowers. His adventure begins one morning at home with his family––he discovers a mask, tries it on, and SHAZAM! Suddenly he can fly up, up and away, sprint faster than a lightning bolt and lift a boulder ten times his size.

But just because he can do almost anything doesn’t mean he is allowed to. He is still expected to follow the rules, do his chores and think about the impact of his actions on others. At first he finds small ways to be super despite these restrictions––for example, clearing his dishes by levitating them to the sink. But as the day progresses he grows more and more frustrated by the limitations imposed on him.  

How, ultimately, does the boy handle his frustration? That is the central question of the story.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to be super by Andrew katz

The morning looked like a typical morning at Nino’s house until Jaguar the cat trotted in carrying a red mask that he had spotted in a box. Nino decided to try the small mask on and wow, that mask transformed his whole day! With that red mask covering his eyes, everything that Nino did was SUPER! He had SUPER powers! His daily tasks were done at lightning speed and when he was playing, he was outstanding and amazing! After a while, Nino was doing activities that he typically wouldn’t and couldn’t do before but now that he was amazing, he was trying to show everyone just how SUPER he really was. I thought Nino was showing off and was worried that he might just be taking his “Superness” too far and the individuals that Nino was showing this powers to were worried that he might get hurt but Nino just told them he wanted to be SUPER. Nino ends up using his SUPER powers to help someone close to him and the end of the book is sweet.

There are some good lessons in the book if you want to use this book as a tool for learning or you could just use this book as a reading book. I liked finding books that have some lessons in them that you can expand upon so kids can think about the stories rather than just say, “yup, that’s a good story.” This is a cute story and the illustrations were very colorful and vivid. The text was easy to read and I liked the variety of text styles and word choices (woo-hoo, shazammed, recharged, booted, wandered, snatched, bound), 4 stars

[Cara BookShelfMomma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided an ARC copy of this book and I am grateful. I enjoyed the illustrations first off, I was drawn to the cover and I appreciated the diversity in the book. I can say that I read it with my six year old and it was a good read for her, stretching her reading abilities. She did enjoy the book.

I will say that I was just meh about the book. I appreciated the fact that it depicted a child that has a big imagination and lot of energy. I have children with lots of energy and its good to see them depicted in stories. I liked the transformation that I saw in the character. You see him learning from the correction that he hears from his parent.

However I didn't understand the tree at the end, I thought it was a bit random.

But my 6 year old girl enjoyed the story, and I appreciate any books that my children enjoy!