Super Pancake (Super Pancake #1)

An anthropomorphic pancake becomes a superhero in this madcap graphic novel series opener. Peggy Pancake feels as if she’s living in her brother Patrick’s shadow: she frequently oversleeps and misses the bus to Winifred Waffle Elementary School, while Patrick is always perfectly punctual. After Peggy and new student Luc Croissant anger the Bacon Bullies Jan, Dan, and Stan, the crispy trio sneak visiting scientist Dr. Egg’s experimental formula into Peggy’s lunch. Imbibing the Gravitational-Defying, Strength-Enhancing, Self-Defense Optimizing Elixer results in Peggy developing fantastical superpowers, which she uses to save Luc from another Bacon Bullies encounter. Encouraged by fervent idealist Luc, Peggy endeavors to protect her town from evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich. Digital illustrations by Alwar (Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates), rendered to embody a playful crayon and colored pencil vibe, depict scrumptious comics spreads bustling with visual kitchen paraphernalia puns that elevate a slim plot overladen by message-heavy dialogue surrounding self-doubt and ethics, as when Dr. Egg lectures Peggy’s class on “what is right... and what is wrong.” Lloyd (Haven) develops Super Pancake’s smooth moves—“Butter Smother! Syrup Swirl! Flapjack Flip!”—with an eye toward humor. Ages 7–10. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Feb.)