If Superman had a pet monkey with all his powers what would that monkey do? Save the world you say? Why, yes, that is exactly so. And kids everywhere, especially young boys, will love every minute of it!
Midway Monkey Madness
DC Super-Pets
by Sarah Hines Stephens
and Art Baltazar
Picture Window Books
January 2011
Beppo, Superman's superpowered pet monkey, is having a splended time at a carnival when Gorilla Grog starts breaking open the animal cages. The ensuing chaos prompts Beppo to act. Soon, the Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna and their superpowered monkey Gleek join with Beppo to save the people, safely secure the wild animals and put a stop to the evil apes plans.
What may at first seem like standard fare really starts to shine when you see young boys eagerly flipping through the pages. First through third grade boys are notoriously fickle in their reading and comic books, superheroes and the like are some of the only things that will really get them hooked. The vibrant full color illustrations by Art Baltazar capture the imagination and attention of reluctant readers in a way that normal "Step" books seem to fail. When I offered to read this book to my son he was willing to do anything - even go to bed and stay there! - to know what Beppo would do against Grog.
This book isn't just for young reluctant readers though. Forty-nine full color pages make the story deeper than most young readers. The included Word Power page, that collects some of the more challenging words used in the story and gives their definitions, is also a plus.
Overall this series is a great addition for young readers, especially young boys, and I recommend it highly.
