4 out of 4 stars
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Toni The Superhero is a children’s book written by R. D. Base and illustrated by Debbie Hefke. It tells the story of a young superhero named Toni; when he was not out saving the world. The tale focuses on Toni’s chores not as a superhero but as a child. This book is the first among a series of books, hence the story centers on introduction to our young protagonist and the things he likes. This is also R. D. Base’s first book.
The book was particularly written for young children as an introductory reading practice. Thus the sentences were very simple, short and laden with simple terms. It was a good book to encourage children into reading without intimidating them with text heavy pages.
Another good point of the book, are its illustration. It highly complimented the simple sentences with well-drawn pages. I particularly like that Hefke’s illustration have a crayon like texture to it. Drawings are not too simple yet not too graphic, colorful enough for a child to pay attention to and appreciate as well.
Choice of words is simple and used in daily activities of a child. Unfamiliar words are explained through illustration. The author aims to encourage younger children into reading thus the book will be successful in doing so.
Another good point, are the overall layout of the book. The sentences were well placed within the illustration. All the same, the sentence “Toni likes to dance” the word ‘to’ was not placed properly and was obscured by a vertical line. This is a minimal layout problem. It is essential that words are clearly placed for this was written for reading practice.
It is page turner for me. It made me want to know Toni more and the things he likes to do. I’m also excited over how simple sentences are illustrated. I love the way the author conveys Toni’s adventures in everyday context. These made Toni a relatable character, despite of wearing his cape and mask most of the time. The book’s illustration exhibits that he is a child through his activities.
Unlike other children’s books, Toni the Superhero does not have an explicit life lesson offered in its pages. Toni’s story taps to the child that resides in each one of us. His story is relatable for the reason he does what every child will do except for being a superhero. (But when we were a child we thought we can be one!).
This is what I read through from the protagonist’s daily activities, that mundane chore done with great love plus enthusiasm can be transformed into adventure. In current times people are obsessed over doing great things to change the world disregarding that simple acts can actually make a difference like a smile or a kind word with another person.
Also in a child’s world, all new things are like adventure like the things they love to do. It made me wish that I am still a child thus all the simple things is like the biggest adventure in my life. Nothing beats the purity of heart and the innocence of a child’s perspective.
To sum up R. D. Base achieved her goals with her book. This will definitely be useful for parents to encourage and practice their toddlers to read. It is also a good way for spending quality time for their kids.
I could not find any major negative point to deduct one star except I guess it’s too short for me but I’m not the target audience. Therefore I’m giving Toni the Superhero a big and shiny 4 out of 4 stars. I will definitely recommend this book to parents with young children age’s three years up to seven years old. This will also be a good story time book for kindergarteners. Teachers should grab a copy as well.
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Toni the Superhero
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