In my search for picture books with diverse characters, I struggled to find a superhero-themed picture book that featured a BAME boy in the staring role. Then I came across this witty gem from Angela McAllister and Alex T. Smith.
It DOES feature a black boy as the main character, but the superhero is actually (maybe) his mum!
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My Mum is a Supermum by Angela McAllister and Alex T. Smith
Milo is convinced that his mum has superpowers because she always knows what he’s up to, even when he’s out of sight. Whether he’s wrestling a sea monster in the bath or fighting dragons in his bedroom, there’s no hiding it from mum.
There can be, of course, only one explanation for her seeming omniscience – she must have X-Ray vision.
This is one of those fun stories where the reader thinks they are let in on the joke – little clues that are giving Milo away (the water dripping through the ceiling, for example). My kids love pointing these out, and find it hilarious that Milo could be so gullible.
So poor old Milo sets up a trap for mum, to expose her secret identity once and for all. He waits in a dark cupboard for her to find him, but outside the house disaster has struck and somebody else is in urgent need of a hero…
This is a witty and engaging story, with bright and fun illustrations that have kids hunting for little details. As someone who spent my childhood years convinced I was, secretly, Wonder Woman – and who might still be clinging on to that belief even now, much to my children’s utter incredulity – it is great to see another mum with cool, superhero powers.
By the same author and illustrator:
Angela McAllister
Alex T. Smith
Picture Books with Diverse Characters
Have you seen my full list of the best 23 picture books with diverse characters? Just like My Mum is a Supermum, all of these picture books feature black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) boys as main characters. Something that’s as rare as proverbial hen’s teeth in children’s books, and a problem I’ve written about here.
Check out the list to find out more about our favourites, and take a peek inside. If you like the look of this book, I’m sure you’ll find some others to love there too!
