Children’s literature has always had room for the silly, the surreal and the downright chaotic, although despite their content they usually have some kind of moral message within the stories. In recent years we’ve seen a glorious rise in the zany superhero, the kind of hero who doesn’t just wear a cape so much as a cheeky grin and whose powers are less “laser vision” and more “unexpected flatulence.” Children just love books featuring toilet humour. Books that feature poo, farts and bodily mayhem aren’t just chasing giggles; they tap into something deeply childlike: the joy of the taboo. Kids adore the things adults pretend not to laugh at and authors like Sam Harper, alongside illustrators like Chris Jevons, have mastered the art of turning toilet humour into riotously fun storytelling. With their Superpoop series, these books don’t just entertain, they give children permission to revel in silliness, to see heroes who are messy, ridiculous and wonderfully imperfect. And honestly, the world could use more of that. With that, it means that Superpoop, everyone’s favourite pooperhero, is back for another challenging adventure in Superpoop Needs a Number Two.
It’s the follow‑up to the original Superpoop, where our hero joined the League of Superheroes and began flushing out the bad guys, readers are plunged back into a world where poo is not only sentient but also heroic. This premise alone is enough to draw young readers in. But this time Superpoop, the plucky, plopping protector, is on the lookout for a sidekick. But not just any sidekick. He needs a Number Two. Cue the avalanche of puns, visual gags and cheeky wordplay that children will devour with glee.
When the mayor phones with a new job, protecting the priceless and ancient Egyptian Golden Toilet Brush at the museum, Superpoop decides that the job is just a bit too big and he needs a number two to aid him in his quest. With so much to do he doesn’t even have time for a poo break, he advertises and interviews several potentials including Wonda Wype, a toilet roll! He decides to give her a try and puts her though Toilet Training! She undergoes a series of tests that includes the Parp Test and the Flush Test, but before training can be completed the villainous Snakeface breaks into the League of Superheros HQ and steals the plans for the museum so the toilet brush can be stolen. Together they now hit the sewers to stop Snakeface and save the Egyptian Golden Toilet Brush.
Overall, with its brisk and bouncy storytelling, escalating chaos and toilet humour, young readers will love Superpoop Needs a Number Two. The story moves along quickly, but never feels rushed. It builds a sense of gleeful anticipation as Superpoop meets a parade of potential sidekicks (each one a potential Number Two), each more ludicrous than the last. Kids will love the repetition and the mounting absurdity, while adults reading aloud will appreciate the clever layering of puns that keep the humour fresh.
The illustrations by Chris Jevons that accompany the text are also a huge part of the book’s charm. With bold, expressive and charming illustrations they are perfectly in tune with the comedic tone of the story. Superpoop himself is an adorable and heroic character, being just gross enough to delight readers without tipping into anything off‑putting. Each page is filled with energy, exaggerated expressions, dynamic action scenes and background jokes that young readers will delight in reading again and again. The visual humour in the illustrations amplifies the text, making it a fun book to read in bed, the classroom or even in the toilet!
While at first glance you may think that a toilet dwelling superhero may be a bit on the silly side, but beneath the “silliness” lies a classic theme: the search for partnership, belonging and someone who complements your strengths. Superpoop’s journey to find the perfect sidekick mirrors the emotional beats of more traditional hero stories, just with more puns and fewer capes. The underlying message about teamwork and friendship shines through and children will recognise this, even as they are giggling uncontrollably at the poo‑based antics.
Superpoop Needs a Number Two is lots of fun and utterly unashamed of its own silliness. It’s a celebration of the weird and wonderful and a reminder that children’s books don’t always need to be serious to be meaningful. Sometimes, all you need is a pooperhero, a sidekick and a whole lot of poo‑powered fun.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £7.99 (Paperback) / £2.99 (Kindle)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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