Superhero Gran

by Timothy Knapman, Joe Berger (Illustrator)

All grandmothers are wonderful, and this gran is no exception. She might not lift buildings or go whooshing through the sky, but she can plan super sleepovers, tell tickle-filled stories, and even put together great disguises to make a superhero team with her grandchildren.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Family, African American, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Timothy Knapman has written many books for children, including Mungo and the Picture Book Pirates, Dinosaurs in the Supermarket and Eleanor's Eyebrows. He also writes plays and co-writes musicals.

Timothy Knapman is available in a range of colours, and is washable.

Reviews

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superhero Gran is a children's picture book written by Timothy Knapman and illustrated by Joe Berger. Asibling pair adores their gran and all the fun she shares with them. Today is Grandparents' Day (12 September) – at least in my part of the world, which is rather apropos to read this book today.

Grandparents' Day or National Grandparents' Day is a secular holiday celebrated in various countries and is celebrated to show the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. In Canada, where I live, it is the second Sunday in the month of September.

Knapman's text is simplistic and straightforward. The rhyming text is easy and fun (and quick) to read aloud, turning this fairly mundane story into one that families will turn to repeatedly. Harrison's illustrations portray a joyful Black family with a stylish grandma and two adorable siblings. Patterns, vibrant colors, and background graphics highlight the fantastical element of the children's play.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. The fun of spending a day with grandma becomes pure magic when it's Superhero Gran. Her home is full of games, toys, and unlimited sweet treats. Playing dress-up with her clothes and makeup table makes the children a superhero team. As Gran gardens, the children can play hide-and-seek. Best of all, when it's time to go home, Gran has a plan: She explains she can't bear to let them go – it’s time for a super sleepover instead.

All in all, Superhero Mom is a wonderfully children's book celebrating grandmothers everywhere and their special relationship with their grandchildren.

[I _teach_muggles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timothy Knapman and Joe Berger give readers a third book in their ‘Superhero’ series.  We have been treated to Superhero Dad and Superhero Mum, now we have…Superhero Gran.  Superhero Gran is a wonderful and colourful celebration of grans and the the amazing things they do.

We all know that all grans are incredible and that going to visit them is always a magical experience.  They let you get away with things that your parents do not, they seem to provide endless treats and they always have lots of fun things to make, do and play.  The gran in this story does all those things and more…

Not all superheroes need to fly as the gran in this story proves. This gran will dress you up as a superhero, fill you up with super treats and when you’re tired she’ll make sure you can stay for a super sleepover.  It all makes for a fabulous time for her two grandchildren that have come to spend a day (and almost certainly a night) with her.

Superhero Gran is a perfect, heart-warming story about the special relationship between grandchildren and gran.  The rhyming prose is simple and makes for a great read aloud and the bold text encourages you to read words with emphasis.  The illustrations are big, bright and bold and the fun that the children and the gran are having literally leaps off the pages.  The expressions on the faces of the children and the gran clearly capture the love between them and the fun that everyone is having.  It is lovely that the author and illustrator have chosen to use BAME characters for the story.

I would have loved reading a book like this with my nan when I was a child.  My nan is now 93 and I’m positive this read would bring an extra-wide smile to her face even now (I might take it with me when I get to see her next).  A cracking read for grandchildren to share with their amazing grans.

Recommended for 4+.

[Jes Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, love-filled book of a relationship between a grandma and her grandkids. Fun illustrations and a simple text will make this a book many kids will beg for grandma to read again and again.

Only critiques are the gender stereotypes in the illustrations. We need publishers and artists to realize that real harm is done when they draw girls in dresses and bows. Otherwise, this is a fun book many kids and grown-ups will treasure.

[Stephanie Tournas]

A book in rhyme celebrating Grandma. Two black children tell readers all the ways that their Gran rocks, from letting them explore her house, or playing dress-up, tickle monster or hide-and-seek. Simple rhythmic rhyme would make this a fun read aloud. Colorful digital art depicts the joy that the kids and Grandma feel together, and little ones will enjoy finding the two cats on each two page spread.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super sweet story about a brother and sister who think their grandmother is nothing short of a superhero. They love her stories, her gardening skills and the way she can always convince their parents that they need to sleep over at her house. I think many kids will identify with this love story to a grandparent.

[Scout Mejia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple, yet sweet story about the love for a grandmother. The relationship between the children and their grandmother is very sweet and meaningful. I have a lot of fond memories of my grandmother which is what I think of right away.

The rhyming scheme in the book is well done and is very engaging for younger children. I enjoyed it~

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Abby Johnson]

A slight story that celebrates the relationship between kids and their grandmother. Fine enough, grandparents might enjoy this homage.

[Pinky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superhero Gran is the coolest granny in town. She let's her grandkids explore the house, puts on superhero makeup for them, and shares treats with them.

[Lara Bate · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about a gran who is a "superhero" in the eyes of her grandkids.

[Katelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4 and 6 year old love this fun picture book about the time two kids spend with their Gran, who they see as a superhero.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text, vibrant illustration, creative gran

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.6 ⭐️ Great illustrations.

[Emma Land · Rating 5 out of 5]

storytime book!

read this for G storytine and talked about our grandmas