Hero Dad
Melinda Hardin, illus. by Bryan Langdo, Marshall Cavendish/Pinwheel, $12.99 (24p) ISBN 978-0-7614-5713-8
A letter from Dad, who is deployed in the Middle East, prompts the young narrator to muse on what his father is going through and how he represents a better breed of superhero. "He doesn't carry a laser gun—he carries a rifle," declares the boy, as readers see soldiers on patrol in the desert. Holding a photograph of his father and his comrades standing proudly by their tank, the boy explains, "He doesn't have a sidekick—he has a platoon." Hardin, a debut author, lucked out with Langdo (Diamond Jim Dandy and the Sheriff): her minimal, confident text is in perfect sync with the khaki and fatigue-hued combat scenes. The bold, austere visual aesthetic conveys a sense of resolve reminiscent of classic war posters and inspires some particularly striking spreads: in one, a march is cropped down to show only boots on the ground. The superheroes of graphic novels and TV will always have a hold on kids' imaginations, but Hardin and Langdo make the persuasive case that in real life, heroism is defined by unwavering bravery, duty, and vigilance. Ages 3–8. (Nov.)
Details
Reviewed on: 10/25/2010
Genre: Children's