Customer Reviews

Superhero

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Superheroes have an innate appeal to kids, and photographer Marc Tauss entertainingly taps into that subliminal vein with his visually stunning black-and-white photography "comic book," Superheroes, the endearing tale of Maleek, "a small boy in a big city-- [who's also] a scientist and a superhero!"

"Maleek loved comic books. It was fun to catch up on his fellow superheroes' adventures." the story begins. It's a relatively simple one, featuring disappearing parks and Maleek's over-the-top solution to the mystery, reveling in the seemingly lost art of a hero being a hero simply because it's the right thing to do. And it's fun! The photography -- the combination of a great eye, superior Photoshop skills, and some imaginative constructs -- is absolutely stunning, each collage capturing both the literal and subtextual aspects of Tauss' childlike fantasy.

More important than my enjoying it, though, was Superheroes passing the ultimate test: my almost 5-year-old son liked it, the same kid who typically only likes comics featuring characters he knows from TV, who turned his nose up at Owly, but loves Bumperboy. His enjoyment did come with a qualifier, though, as he explained to his mother: "It's not a comic book. It's a book!" And a wonderful book it is, a worthy addition to any child's bookshelf, sitting alongside any of Dr. Seuss and Maurice Sendak's best works.

My children cannot get enough of this book! They ask me to read it over and over. They love the pictures! We find new things to look at each time we read it. They enjoy looking at the end page with all the comics filled with Maleek. Maleek is a wonderful character! What new adventures will he take us on? We can't wait to find out.

As a pre-kindergarten teacher always on the look out for new books to capture the attention of youngsters who are increaseingly tuned in to visual stimulation through commercialism (TV, Disney, movies), it took this book to inspire my classroom "Super Heroes" to sit and ask to be read this book and then others over and over again. Marc Tauss' book is a clear winner!!

This book is a one-of-a-kind. It's funny, gorgeous, and imaginative. The main character is so cute, you just want to carry him around with you and whip out his picture when you're feeling blue. The story and the photos appeal both to kids and to adults. Somehow, the book manages to be upbeat and edgy at the same time. My nephew is crazy about it. Check it out and you'll see why.