Is Toni Really A Superhero?

[kfwilson6]

I had the same thoughts as you. I didn't think he was an actual superhero. I think he dressed like one, and because he did all of his chores and was such a good kid, it made him a superhero.
So the message to kids is that if you're a good kid, you can be anything. Maybe?

The back cover of the book says that Toni is a boy with extraordinary powers and to read to find out what he does when he isn't saving the day. This gives the impression he is more than just an ordinary boy, but we didn't get any of that information in this book. I'm afraid that might confuse children (of course will they have read the back cover???).

[DorcasToo]

The fact that he's a good kid helping out with chores makes him a superhero. The costume just emphasizes an effect desired by the author.

[KitabuKizuri]

I did not think of Toni as a superhero. I thought that HE thinks he is a superhero, and probably, so would the child reading.

I agree. Although a younger 2- 4 year old would be more forgiving than an older child who understands the concept of a fictional superhero. I suspect some would be disappointed due to lack of superhuman displays.

[Mary Garrison]

I feel like he is a real superhero, but it was showing how he could relate to any everyday ordinary child.

[Bianka Walter]

I had the same thoughts as you. I didn't think he was an actual superhero. I think he dressed like one, and because he did all of his chores and was such a good kid, it made him a superhero.
So the message to kids is that if you're a good kid, you can be anything. Maybe?

The back cover of the book says that Toni is a boy with extraordinary powers and to read to find out what he does when he isn't saving the day. This gives the impression he is more than just an ordinary boy, but we didn't get any of that information in this book. I'm afraid that might confuse children (of course will they have read the back cover???).

Oh, interesting. I never read the back cover... I'm not sure I received it in the PDF? I'm sure I would have.
And you're right - that would have explained a LOT!

[Elizabeth Pass]

The back cover's explanation really clears everything up. I wish that would have been included in the story. I reread the book a few times trying to find what I missed. I'm sure if I read this to my niece she would ask things like, "What makes him a superhero?" and I really didn't have an answer for that.

[kfwilson6]

The back cover's explanation really clears everything up. I wish that would have been included in the story. I reread the book a few times trying to find what I missed. I'm sure if I read this to my niece she would ask things like, "What makes him a superhero?" and I really didn't have an answer for that.

Don't you hate it when kids start asking questions and you don't have the answers! Kids are so smart. They don't take half-baked answers either. You better give them something really good to explain what they want to know. This book definitely leaves room for interpretation, which could be good or bad, but if a parent chooses to continue with the Toni series, he wouldn't want to be inconsistent with anything that will happen in future stories. If a parent interprets Toni as an actual superhero who CAN fly, and then it turns out Toni only imagines he can fly, kids may not take well to that.

[FictionLover]

I did not think of Toni as a superhero. I thought that HE thinks he is a superhero, and probably, so would the child reading.

I agree. Although a younger 2- 4 year old would be more forgiving than an older child who understands the concept of a fictional superhero. I suspect some would be disappointed due to lack of superhuman displays.

Yes, I guess it depends on how literally one takes it. I think at first I was a little surprised, but knowing that it was aimed at young readers, I thought they would just use their imaginations and go with it.

[Dael Reader]

I think he's a superhero because he is so willing to spend time with his family and friends, both at work and at play. He cares about the people (and animals) around him. He's curious and interested. His superpower is being there. We need more superheroes like that. And wearing your underwear over your pants is so last century for superheroes.

[Helen_Combe]

I like to think of it as a secret that the parents can hug to themselves. Children believe in Santa Claus and tooth fairies and the parents encourage it until the child is of an age when they start to question. I believe that young children will be convinced that he is a real superhero until they are old enough to see through the masquerade.

[chelhack]

Sure, I thought of him as a superhero. He saved kittens, play nicely and helps with household choirs that makes him a superhero to me

[Manang Muyang]

I think most kids, boys especially, have favorite superheroes. The author used a superhero character to capture the interest of kids. The explanation on the back cover is for the tutor who will have to answer the inevitable question of how Toni is a superhero.

I imagine the above is what the author had in her mind. Since all kids would like to be superheroes, they may be encouraged to like what Toni likes. The use of a kid superhero also makes the activities doable by kids. There's a subliminal message to the kids that keeps them from thinking of the "I'm too young to do that" excuse.

[Heiress]

Hmmmm for me there isn't much to classify him as a superhero.its just out of the Parent's love for the obedient hardworking little boy that they came up with such an idea to reward him with a heroic title.that is all that there is...
Although there were times where he demonstrated heroism when a child is always there for the parents when the parent need an assistance of course its normal for the parent to term the child as being heroic in this context as being a superhero.. This notion of course can be viewed from two dynamic prospective.

[Helen_Combe]

Conversely, they may be an argument that a child could say ”I’m not a superhero, so I’m not doing the chores”. We could potentially be hoist by our own psychology.

[Kay87]

I understand the moral of the story in that whilst Toni is a superhero, he is still a regular little boy. However, I don't think this was used to its fullest potential. Seeing as this book is for emergent readers, the character should have only done heroic things then the sequel showing him doing regular things. Thus avoiding any confusion.