Why doesn't Toni have abilities? Is it a safety reason?

[briellejee]

I think not giving Toni the typical superpowers like Superman is to help children realize that even though in such small things, they're already a big help to their parents. I think this is to teach kids to be more aware of their own surroundings first before saving the world.

[Samanthajayne12]

I definitely think that the author is trying to encourage good behaviour at home and with friends. I think there's a message of not needing to be better than anybody else and everyone is equal and the same no matter who they are.

[juliamenez]

Reading through this thread reminded me of the quote in the movie "Bruce Almighty" where he says "Parting a bowl of soup is not a miracle. A single mother who works two jobs and still manages to attend her kid's soccer game is a miracle." I like the message that someone doesn't need crazy supernatural abilities to be considered "super".

[CinWin]

This is a book for a child around 2 or 3 years old. It is not meant for the child to read. It is meant for the adult to read it TO the child. A younger child doesn't understand the concepts of flying around and killing the 'bad guys', nor should they. They understand the concepts in the book at it is written and that is the goal.

[JuliaKay]

I think Toni's super abilities are supposed to be how good of a kid he is — an excellent helper, intelligent, a good friend. An ability does not always have to be a power.

[Dahmy 10]

For sure, it would have been too extreme if violence was added into the book. Mimicry is how these children carry out their actions. So endowing Toni with super abilities would be a great turn off.

[RAndersen]

I liked this book, and while this was one of the points I found confusing because the author doesn't make clear if Toni really does have superpowers and can fly or if the Superhero bit is all in his imagination and he's just a good kid in a costume. I suppose the author will make it clear later in the series but I actually like that this book doesn't seem to come down on one side or the other of the question leaving it as a question for the young readers and parents. I doubt it's for a safety reason but hope the series continues to be one that can be understood either way.

[Jkhorner]

I can just picture my nieces and nephews reading the book and then staring at me and asking, “But what does he DO?” Kids know superheroes nowadays. I appreciate the point that helping with everyday chores make you a super human, but maybe not a hero

[lesler]

I read this book as the way that Toni is a superhero is that he makes good every day decisions. He is a role model for the readers of this book, and can influence them to make good choices themselves. The term Superhero is used as a relatable term.

[Gikonyo Caroline]

I think the author depicts Toni as a superhero doing ordinary activities to communicate that even our heroes are human too. Perhaps to counter hero worship which is common phenomen in our age which has had dire consequences especially to the young generation. Afterall , real heroes they say sneak up on you , they remind us of us and reassure us that at any moment with the right circumstances we could be them.
I think the author intends to encourage children to value ordinary day to day activities that are often frowned upon or considered mundane by the young generation such as reading and house chores such as dish washing and dusting by depicting them as activities superheroes do. Safety is perhaps an unintended theme emanating from the main theme but perhaps more intended is not the physical safety perse but emotional and mental safety that is often put in jeopardy when the young have an unhealthy competition and comparison between them and the heroes that society has elevated and paraded. Hence e need to redefine who a superhero is and what constitutes heroic acts.

[Sarah Starling]

I don't think Toni is a "real" superhero. He is just a kid with a costume and an imagination. The super powers he has are being respectful and helping around the house, not flying and laser eyes.

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

Maybe safety could've been a factor. I have an uncle who literally tried to do a Superman flight from the roof. It happens! But I think what stands out is that Toni is a boy like all the kids that will read this book. Even if he´s a superhero he does normal kid activities and helps out, which I think is a great role model.

[Libertyrenee]

I think if you write a story that's "superhero" related and you specifically leave out the menagerie of powers then it's most likely intentional. I think this story is meant to give children the empowerment that super hero stories give but without a huge push from the "superhuman" element. My parents have always been very conservative and they never wanted to push the whole "superhero with altered DNA" agenda I think because they see it as a possibility not far off in our reality.

[Roggyrus]

Toni's never having any superpower is a good departure from the commonplace notion that heroes should be extraordinary in looks or abilities. This is a good thing here in this book that Toni upheld the cause of ordinary children, or of every ordinary individual for that matter, that being just ordinary and doing your usual responsibilities as called for in your work, or station in life, is heroic.

[Samy Lax]

I totally agree with your thought process. The author is trying to show kids that a superhero doesn't necessarily have the powers shown in the Marvel and DC universe. Toni is more inspiring than any of these heroes as he is more grounded in reality and a safer role model to follow.