Why doesn't Toni have abilities? Is it a safety reason?

Use this forum to discuss the July 2018 Book of the Month "Toni the Superhero" by R.D. Base
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Amy+++
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Re: Why doesn't Toni have abilities? Is it a safety reason?

Post by Amy+++ »

I can see it as a safety concern. I can also see it as a way to teach kids to be more helpful around the house. Either way the author did a great job.
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Post by David Horta Alonso »

Of course that is for a safety reason. Kids believe in the possibility and practicable of whatever they read. If supernatural events were incorporated, believe you me some would try such at home.
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Post by GabbiV »

I like that he is shown fighting villains because, while I don't think children should be participating in
direct action, I think it is something more adults should consider as a viable option when faced with real
world bad guys (ie. Nazis etc).
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Post by Mato mugo »

I think Toni having little superpowers and helping out in chores potrays how a child should be, not missing out in basic childhood life by doing risky things
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Post by David Horta Alonso »

Yes, that is for safety reason as he is a big influence of many kids. Kids look up to him for inspiration.
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Post by amsula_2018 »

Cristal2408 wrote: 01 Jul 2018, 14:43 Something most noticed while reading is the lack of "superhero abilities" in Toni. He helps at home, plays and has a healthy lifestyle. He can fly too, but he is not shown battling villains, he is shown being a good kid and son. Do you think this is because the author didn't want children jumping through the roof wanting to be like Toni? Are the actions meant to influence kids towards helping at home and being well behaved? Is it safer for children to read this book rather than modern superheroes?
I actually agree that the author wants the children to behave and not to jump off on the roof. I think it is for the safety of the children, that thought did not cross my mind when reading it. ☺
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Post by David Horta Alonso »

There are no superheroes in modern societies. Only hardworking and successful characters are regarded as superheroes.
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Post by edith38 »

Grownups tend to dumb things down for kids and quite often authors are tempted to "hide" a lessons in the books. With kids you may get away with it for a while but it can be tempting to do it all the way up to YA and that's where people get their lessons if they haven't had them before.
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Post by David Horta Alonso »

It is much safer for children to read this book since it has no unnatural events. It reflects the life of children in real life society.
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Post by Kareka88 »

Charlaigne wrote: 03 Jul 2018, 22:38
Dael Reader wrote: 02 Jul 2018, 14:37 I think the author is subtly showing us that you don't need special powers to be a superhero. You can be a superhero to your family and friends by spending time with them and helping them out in ordinary ways. In fact, maybe the willingness to work and play and help others in need is the greatest superpower of all.
I completely agree. Even though Toni does not have superpowers that we normally associate with superhero's. Yes, he does have superpowers to help around the house, to do things for others, and to help those in need.
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Post by Sakilunamermaid »

Safety concerns were exactly the reason I thought that they kept his abilities at a minimum. But in these times living healthy, well behaved, and active lifestyles have to be elevated to a higher degree. To make children strive for excellence and have positive role models/ examples.
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Post by AngharadB »

Dael Reader wrote: 02 Jul 2018, 14:37 I think the author is subtly showing us that you don't need special powers to be a superhero. You can be a superhero to your family and friends by spending time with them and helping them out in ordinary ways. In fact, maybe the willingness to work and play and help others in need is the greatest superpower of all.
Yes, I agree. It resonates with what my daughter's school do where they get the children to nominate each other for being 'Super Six' for acts of kindness they've shown that week.
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Post by Ekta Kumari »

Considering the target readers, I believe the parameter of this book regarding Toni is safer. I think the author meant to influence kids into being a hero through their dispositions rather than through extraordinary superhero stuff. In fact I consider the beauty of this book is the idea that you don't have to have special powers to be a hero but being kind and helpful is what that matters.
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Post by edith38 »

Kids idealize superheros and want to be them. However, if only powers are "magical" that you can only be (super)hero when you have magical ability. Such a thought pattern can make people feel hopeless, like on matter what they do they can't live up to their idols. Hence having a more accessible heroes for kids to relate could encourage them to be better person. instead of thinking that somebody else will come and solve the problems. I don't think kids are too likely to jump of the roof in hope of being able to fly or such.
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Post by Lee_Reads »

Charlaigne wrote: 03 Jul 2018, 22:38
Dael Reader wrote: 02 Jul 2018, 14:37 I think the author is subtly showing us that you don't need special powers to be a superhero. You can be a superhero to your family and friends by spending time with them and helping them out in ordinary ways. In fact, maybe the willingness to work and play and help others in need is the greatest superpower of all.
This exactly.
Thanks for the beautiful explanation! Well said!
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