When it comes to young children (and some adults like me) and books, there is no denying that toilet humour holds a special place in many hearts. As any parent with young children will know, toilet humour holds a special, almost magnetic, appeal for kids. From the endless snickers and giggles from potty jokes to silly bathroom sound effects, stories that feature bathroom antics from farting to poo can transform even the most reluctant reader into an enthusiastic page turner. These fun tales tap into universal experiences – everyone uses the loo, everyone needs to poo, giving kids permission to laugh at the once-taboo. In Superpoop, written by Sam Harper and illustrated by Chris Jevons, a superhero poo supplies the humour, and it is a book that’s as cheeky as it is clever.
Superpoop introduces readers to a superhero unlike any other you have seen before: a brave, if slightly messy, champion dedicated to fighting trouble everywhere, not just in the toilet. Our pooperhero is fresh out of superhero training and is brimming with ambition to join the prestigious League of Superheroes and just needs a toot-ally awesome mission. However, his attempts to save the day are consistently thwarted by other, more conventional, heroes who always arrive on the scene first. It seems that every heroic task, from trying to sort out a mess in the pool to helping a chicken cross the road, is already handled by heroes such as Octogirl and Safety Stan before Superpoop can even make a splash.
Superpoop yearns for that one crucial mission, the one where only his unique abilities can make a difference so that he doesn’t feel like he’s just a plop. And, as luck would have it, a mission comes along that is perfect for him. When a diamond is stolen from the museum by Crooked Croc, who escapes down the sewers, Superpoop finally gets his chance to shine.
Overall, Superpoop is a fun story filled with adventure, potty puns and positive messages, it’s certainly not a plop – I enjoyed it anyway.
One of this books strengths lies in its masterful use of toilet-related humour. With toilet-related puns and clever wordplay it will have children (and even adults with a good sense of humour – or some might say immature or inappropriate) laughing out loud. From the start, this superheroes name is “toot-ally” hilarious and the situations he finds himself in are entertaining and fun to read. The story is lots of silly fun and wonderfully engaging, perfect for young readers at bedtime or even sitting on the toilet.
The illustrations by Chris Jevons are bright, vibrant and perfectly enhance the story’s humorous tone. They bring the world of Superpoop and the other superheroes to life, making this toilet-dwelling hero visually compelling for young readers.
When you look past the chuckles and giggles of this perfectly coiffured cape-wearing, toilet-dwelling poo and his hero adventures, Superpoop has embedded subtle positive and empowering messages in the text. Despite the early setbacks in his superhero career, he never gives up, hightlighting the importance of perseverance in whatever you do. With persistance, eventually a problem comes along that only he can solve, proving that it’s not about being the strongest or the fastest, but that your own unique skills and talents will find their niche. This positive outlook of the storyline, which is subtly embedded within the humorous text, will resonate with young page turners, helping young readers to understand and reinforce that hard work, enjoying what you do and perseverance will eventually produce results, showing that everything in life is not instant gratification.
Superpoop is a cheeky and plop-tastic picture book filled with fun, that will undoubtedly appeal to young readers who appreciate a good parp of potty humour. With a relatable hero, hilarious situations and positive messages it makes a fantastic addition to any child’s bookshelf.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £6.99 (Paperback) / £3.49 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
PUBLISHER:
PUBLICATION DATE:
ISBN:
PRINT LENGTH:
COVER ART: