Does it matter that little Tony is black?

[Ashiyya Tariq]

It's not about being black or white.We're past that.Toni is a superhero whether he is black or white!

You are right, these distinctions have been reduced to much extent, however these are not all together eliminated from societies.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

A very intriguing question! I noticed that Toni is black. I assumed it was intentional, the author had probably tried to do exactly that - shatter the myth of white superheroes. In fact I was debating whether or not to include this in my review. But until now I did not think that it could have been the other way around.

Well, but I didn't noticed this while reading this book. However it's a good sign and a good effort to bridge the gap of white and black heroes.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I have always thought that colour is immaterial. Although a lot of superheroes are white there re many of other colours, including green, so I don't think that Toni's colour matters.

You are right, color is immaterial. Heroic qualities are not restricted to race or color. These are God gifted and can appear at any place.

[Brianna Miller]

I can definitely see why you would think that, but that isn't how I viewed it at all! I saw it as a book about the heroism that stares us in the face every day. Instead of creating this fantasy world where a black boy is a hero (suggesting that it is impossible for people of color to be powerful), the author illustrates that anyone can be a hero if their heart is in the right place. In the media, black men are so often portrayed as these scary caricatures, lacking compassion so to see an African American character who is well-meaning and has more positive influence than we can see is amazing.

[MiziS_1305]

Sometimes, we can't tell what message the book is going to convey because people have their own perspective. The author has done his work. Now it's parents responsibility to interpret the story the way they want their children to believe it.

[Chandler_Greg]

Christinaro - Interesting question! I didn't view it as black kids can only do ordinary things while the superpowers belong to the white kids. For me, the story showed that important people (superheroes) still do ordinary activities and chores like everyone else.

I didn't take it that superheros do ordinary things, as much that you don't have to do extraordinary things to be a superhero. You just have to believe in yourself. Toni is a superhero because that's how he thinks of himself.

[Chandler_Greg]

This is an interesting question! However, I feel like this is now up to the parents/people reading the book to the child in question. The adult is the one responsible for the education of the younger masses, aka creating a colourblind society, and it is important to start it young. In other words, the adult has to let the child know that doing your daily chores is also a form of superhero activity, and it is not in any form inferior to other children with "actual superhero powers" (whether white or not).

I liked the multiracial aspect of the book because it does create a framework for parents to have these discussions with their kids, to celebrate our diversity and to show positive images to children who are black or otherwise under-represented.

[Nena_Morena]

The book was written for kids and fortunately, they don't see race and differences like we adults do. This book was meant for kids to have a young superhero as a role model, and him doing only ordinary things was to teach them how they should behave.
I'm actually surprised that someone thought about a racial undertone.

[Raya raymond]

Wow! That a very complicated argument. There is the possibility that this story could send across the message that black superheros can only do ordinary things while the white ones have extra-ordinary powers or it could send across the message that black kids can be superheros too. I think at the end of the day I think it's about how the reader chooses to see it and the guidance given by parents to their children regarding this book.

[The Fool Wise Man]

It matters, of course. Kids are so receptive and they are touched by everything. We should be careful. They are wiser than we think. Many people here say it doesn't matter to kids that Toni is black, but I think even they can picture a kid asking: Why is Toni black? Hmm. Listen to the Fool Wise Man!

[Ashiyya Tariq]

Christinaro - Interesting question! I didn't view it as black kids can only do ordinary things while the superpowers belong to the white kids. For me, the story showed that important people (superheroes) still do ordinary activities and chores like everyone else.

I didn't take it that superheros do ordinary things, as much that you don't have to do extraordinary things to be a superhero. You just have to believe in yourself. Toni is a superhero because that's how he thinks of himself.

These ordinary tasks are extraordinary for children of the age group 1 to 4. Theey liketo learn new things. So Toni is really a superhero.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

It matters, of course. Kids are so receptive and they are touched by everything. We should be careful. They are wiser than we think. Many people here say it doesn't matter to kids that Toni is black, but I think even they can picture a kid asking: Why is Toni black? Hmm. Listen to the Fool Wise Man!

You are right, children are over smart now a days. They would likely to investigate that why Toni is black. Now it is parents task to present this black superhero in the right context so that children could develop the right image in their mind.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

Wow! That a very complicated argument. There is the possibility that this story could send across the message that black superheros can only do ordinary things while the white ones have extra-ordinary powers or it could send across the message that black kids can be superheros too. I think at the end of the day I think it's about how the reader chooses to see it and the guidance given by parents to their children regarding this book.

Parents guidance is utmost necessary to deliver the right message which the author of this book wants to convey. If parents portray a positive image of this black superhero then children would certainly develop the right image free from ethnic barriers.

[Ashiyya Tariq]

I can definitely see why you would think that, but that isn't how I viewed it at all! I saw it as a book about the heroism that stares us in the face every day. Instead of creating this fantasy world where a black boy is a hero (suggesting that it is impossible for people of color to be powerful), the author illustrates that anyone can be a hero if their heart is in the right place. In the media, black men are so often portrayed as these scary caricatures, lacking compassion so to see an African American character who is well-meaning and has more positive influence than we can see is amazing.

That's very bad if media portrays the black people as an inferior. In this atmosphere the author has taken a good initiative by displaying the superhero as a black kid.

[Allyseria]

I think it's good that Tony is black. There are very few children books out there that has the main character being from an ethnic minority. If children are reading these kind of books when they're young, they'll be more accepting of black people in the future. Also, for other black kids, it's nice to be represented in books.

I am Asian but was born in the UK. When I was younger, all the children books were about white kids. I didn't even question it - I didn't see any difference between me and them and I had no problem reading these books.