4 out of 4 stars
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Matthew 18:3 - “…unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens.” - New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.
On this premise, it is unsurprising that children are teachers, and I received my very first lesson from the cover page of Toni the Superhero. Sometimes, we get overwhelmed by all the duties needing accomplishment such that we wind up frustrated. The bright smile permeating Toni’s face despite the chores surrounding him is a subtle, personal reminder that I needn’t get grumpy when tasks are numerous.
In the book’s description on OBC, R. D. Base intimates potential readers as to the ideology behind its creation, which will evolve into a series down the line. Toni the Superhero is a children’s book targeted at early readers who haven’t quite grasped the art of reading yet. It is also designed to give a head start to toddlers who haven’t even begun the reading journey. This is to be achieved by using simple, repetitive sentences. As a result, Toni the Superhero is a very short book, spanning across 20 pages on my Kindle and lacking an actual plot. Nonetheless, it tells about a young superhero who has a life outside hero duties. He’s a regular kid, and he enjoys doing the things his peers love to do like playing, dancing and eating! However, there are other activities some kids would make a fuss about. How does Toni feel about those?
One thing that strengthens my appreciation of this book is its rich, vibrant colours. I consider them eye-popping enough to want to reach out and grab some tantalizing fruits right off the page! I can imagine many a child beseeching an eager mother to provide just what Toni’s eating, possibly for lunch or any other meal at the period when the book is being examined. Evidently, Debbie Hefke has done a top-notch job with the book’s illustrations.
Today, it is not uncommon to see children display a mean attitude toward animals, especially when they feel they can get away with it. Toni’s heroic act of saving the cat is a delicate hint to these young, impressionable minds that all life is valuable.
In addition, the friendship Toni basks in with children from varying backgrounds clearly relays the theme of multiculturalism. I think this will help kids maintain their innocence regarding racial discrimination while serving as a visible guide to any slightly-forgetful adult.
Lastly, I like how involved Toni is when it comes to household chores. Frequently, parents’ efforts in ensuring their children’s comfort get either forgotten or taken for granted. On the contrary, Toni does not hide under the umbrella of “saving the world” to beg off from helping his mother willingly. He contributes his quota, thereby displaying gratitude for her love and care. He is indeed a worthy role model for the little ones.
I rate Toni the Superhero 4 out of 4 stars. There were no grammatical errors. I really appreciate the book’s brevity in relation to its intended goal of stimulating fluency in reading. Parents and teachers of children in the early years are welcome to integrate this learning material into their resources.
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Toni the Superhero
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