The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man

Name: The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
Item: The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
Rating: 5
Author: Terreece Clarke

Book review by

Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man Book Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 4+

(i)

Exciting look at the fun (and fatigue) of being a superhero.

Save

Rate book

Read or buy

Parents say

No reviews yetAdd your rating

Kids say

age 5+

Based on 1 review

Get it now

Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.

Get it now on

Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.

A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this book.

Educational Value

While Awesome Man doesn't set out to teach kids specifically, it does a great job of validating imaginative play and presents alternatives to having a meltdown.

Positive Messages

This book is simply about fun and imagining life as a superhero. There is positive parental influence and a shout-out to children with sensory sensitivities. At one point Awesome Man wraps himself in a tight self-hug to calm down.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Awesome Man and his alter ego stand up for good and fight baddies while valuing family time.

Violence & Scariness

Simple cartoon violence is on display with positronic rays shooting out of the superhero's eyes to destroy giant killer robots. Bad guys are beat up but unhurt in the process.

Language

The title character says he's "pooped" when tired and acknowledges he likes to say the word "pooped."

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this is a great picture book for new and reluctant readers. The simple but fun text goes a long way in engaging kids who love to imagine. There is some cartoon violence -- without injury.

User Reviews

Parents say
Kids say

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.

Kid, 12 years old December 2, 2011

age 5+

Fun for younger kids.

My mom checked this out for my 10 year old sister and me (12) to read for fun. We liked it well enough, but I think kids over 8 or 9 years old will find that g... Continue reading

Report this review

What's the story?

Awesome Man is a busy guy. He's got to fight robots, slimebots, and his arch nemesis Flaming Eyeball, and sometimes he gets so busy he forgets to stop, eat, and chill out for a while. Good thing he has his equally awesome secret identity that lets him take a break from his superhero duties. Readers get to find out all about his adventures and his secret identity, too -- can you guess what it is?

Is it any good?

This book is awesome, like Awesome Man. It's fun, exciting, and readers can readily identify with all of the adventures of this superhero -- before they find out his secret identity. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon does a fantastic job of capturing the creative and open qualities of imaginative play. What makes the story even awesome-r is that Chabon doesn't forget the trials of being a superhero -- running out of energy (needing a snack), staving off trashing a city in anger (temper tantrum), and needing a big hug from a superhero's biggest ally, his mom.

The dazzling illustrations by Jake Parker are bright and engaging. They are almost begging to be used as room decorations for superhero fans. The astonishing secret isn't so astonishing, but Chabon's connection to the life of a child is pretty close.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about imagination. Practice changing ordinary activities -- taking out the garbage, cleaning a bedroom -- into adventures by using only your imagination.
Awesome Man gets angry and wants to smash stuff, but instead he takes time out and calms down. What do you do when you're angry? What are some of the ways you calm yourself down?
Families can also talk about how other people have used their imaginations to create inventions, television programs, movies, and books. Take turns imagining different endings and scenarios to favorite stories.