Great Power, No Responsibility (Marvel: Spider-Ham)
Spider-Ham Original Graphic Novels Series
What’s inside...
In the comical and action-packed world of Marvel's Spider-Ham, this graphic novel chronicles the adventures of Peter Porker, the Spectacular Spider-Ham, as he navigates a world where the line between animal and human is uniquely blurred. Facing unusual villains and overcoming challenges of being a hero with other animal-themed heroes, Spider-Ham shows that even the smallest pigs can have the biggest hearts. In an original story for younger readers, Spider-Ham receives the key to New York City as a publicity stunt by the mayor, but accidentally loses it. As he retraces his steps from the previous day, he must find the key before it falls into villainous hands, showing that with great power comes no responsibility. This laugh-out-loud adventure is perfect for younger readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Spider-Ham learns about responsibility in the story?
If you had superpowers like Spider-Ham, how would you use them to help others?
How do Spider-Ham's friends support him in his adventures?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a tough decision, like Spider-Ham?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Spider-Ham's experiences by sharing personal stories where they faced similar challenges. Highlight the importance of friendship and teamwork as seen in the book. Ask open-ended questions that make your child think about how they can apply the lessons from the book in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The book cleverly plays on the famous Spider-Man motto, 'With great power comes great responsibility,' to teach children about the importance of being responsible.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking ownership of their tasks, such as cleaning up their room or completing homework, understanding that their actions have consequences.
Example Lesson: Humor as a tool for coping
Explanation: Spider-Ham uses humor to deal with various challenges, showing that laughter can be a powerful way to handle difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Kids can use humor to lighten up stressful situations, making it easier to cope with challenges at school or during social interactions.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Spider-Ham teams up with other characters to solve problems, highlighting the value of working together.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating with others, whether it's on school projects, sports teams, or family activities.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: Spider-Ham often finds unconventional solutions to problems, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively when faced with challenges, finding unique solutions to everyday problems.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The interactions between Spider-Ham and other characters promote understanding and caring for others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be considerate and empathetic in their daily interactions with friends and family.