Supermoms!: Animal Heroes

For Mother’s Day or any day, an appealing take on animal factoids.

A groundhog, strawberry poison frog, emperor penguin, and bearded capuchin monkey are just a few of the "supermoms" featured in this fact-filled, comics-style ode to real-life parental "heroes." Informative text and humorous speech-bubble asides spotlight the impressive and surprising work that different maternal species do to support their young--providing food, homes, protection, transport, and valuable instruction. Harper's textured digital and traditional collages, presented in panels throughout, portray the wildlife with big personalities. Two red-knobbed hornbill chicks hold and fan their beaks, gagging from the stench of the mud-and-poop seal their mom creates in their nest's entrance. And a baby American alligator asks, "Ma, are you flossing?" as it crawls from its mom's jaws, having ridden inside her mouth for transport. Most of the creatures' efforts have a true wow factor that, combined with comedic commentary throughout, results in a super silly tribute to supermoms. Facts and further resources conclude. Ages 3-7. (Mar.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2--The first book in the new "Animal Heroes" series, this title features amazing animal mothers. Each mom featured does something unique to care for their young. Some of the examples will especially delight young audiences as they feature extreme or what some might consider gross behaviors. For example, the red-knobbed hornbill mom seals her nest with mud and poop and stays inside with her young for three months. The strawberry poison frog separates her tadpoles so they won't kill each other. Illustrations using multiple panels per animal capture the supermoms and their young in action. Back matter adds more, albeit minimal, facts to the portrayals of these amazing animal mothers. Links to further resources as well as to the research process used in the making of this book are included. While the text does not include enough information for research, this title would be a useful introduction to a wide variety of animals as well as to the diversity of behaviors that can be found in the animal kingdom in relation to how animals care for their young. VERDICT Highly browsable and entertaining nonfiction.--John Scott

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

This lively riff on superheroes, the first in a projected new series of science books, explores the mothering habits of 18 different animal species. . . . For youngsters who like learning about the animal kingdom, this work offers a pleasing variety. . . . For Mother's Day or any day, an appealing take on animal factoids.
—Kirkus Reviews

Lang introduces animal mothers who go above and beyond in raising their progeny. . . Speech balloons permit these cheeky children and moms to remark about the scenes depicted, and formal text is kept minimal, allowing the colorful art and humorous commentary to take center stage.
—Booklist

Informative text and humorous speech-bubble asides spotlight the impressive and surprising work that different maternal species do to support their young—providing food, homes, protection, transport, and valuable instruction. . . . Most of the creatures' efforts have a true wow factor that, combined with comedic commentary throughout, results in a super silly tribute to supermoms.
—Publishers Weekly

The first book in the new "Animal Heroes" series, this title features amazing animal mothers. . . . Highly browsable and entertaining nonfiction.
—School Library Journal