Super Pancake
(Super Pancake)

Gr 1-5--Peggy Pancake starts the day as an ordinary flapjack, bumbling her way to school, spacing out during a career day presentation--and then suddenly, she finds herself possessed with powers previously unimagined, poised to become Super Pancake. She faces sizzling schoolhouse foes the Bacon Bullies, but soon discovers a greater threat in the dastardly Doctor Breakfast Sandwich. As Peggy begins to realize her gifts, she also forges a fast friendship with the new kid at school, Luc Croissant, who, in an unassuming fashion, becomes the perfect sidekick. Together they create a secret treehouse hideaway where Peggy tests her flying acumen and Luc fashions a superhero costume for her. As the story unfolds, the origins of her mysterious powers are revealed, Luc is kidnapped, a donut detective is called, and finally, Peggy must face down Doctor Breakfast Sandwich in his lair. This graphic novel chapter book is written as something of an origin story, and as this volume ends, Peggy and Luc seem poised to explore more mysteries, personal and fantastical. Lloyd's story, while whimsical, focuses largely on familiar childhood territory of social anxieties, self-confidence, and how a good friendship can be super-powerful. Alwar's color illustrations are full of green, purple, and gold, and in a world populated with anthropomorphic foodstuffs, the book looks just delicious enough to make your tummy rumble. VERDICT Full of friendships, food fights, and slightly ridiculous bad guys, this is a sweet, silly caper ready to be gobbled up.--Emilia Packard