My Mum is a Superhero
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
In 'My Mum is a Superhero,' Angela McAllister presents the story of a child who views their mother as a superhero, highlighting her everyday actions and sacrifices that may seem ordinary to adults but are extraordinary to the child. The narrative celebrates the various impactful roles a mother plays—protector, provider, teacher, comforter—and the special bond between mother and child. Additionally, the story of Milo inquires into his mother's uncanny ability to always know what he's up to, humorously attributing it to her having X-RAY VISION, and his subsequent efforts to test her supposed powers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of the superpowers your mum seems to have? How do they help her every day?
If you had superhero powers like the mum in the book, what would you do with them?
How do you think the story would change if your dad or another family member was the superhero?
Can you think of a time when your mum did something that seemed impossible?
What is the most important lesson the book teaches us about family and love?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to draw parallels between the book and real life, asking them to consider how their own mum or parent is like the superhero in the story.
Facilitate a creative activity where your child can illustrate or write about a 'superhero' moment involving a family member.
Discuss the various forms of strength and love exhibited by the characters, reinforcing that being a superhero can often mean being caring, attentive, and supportive.
Use the story as an opportunity to explore and discuss the diverse roles parents or caregivers can have, emphasizing their importance in a child's life.
Encourage empathy and appreciation by discussing the sacrifices and efforts made by parents, similar to the superhero traits shown in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Parental Roles
Explanation: The story showcases the various ways the child’s mother manages both everyday tasks and exceptional challenges, portraying her as a superhero.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work and love their parents put into childcare and household management, fostering gratitude and respect.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through the child’s perspective, readers see the mother's efforts and challenges, which helps build a narrative of empathy towards her.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more empathetic and understanding towards their own parents and caregivers, recognizing their efforts and expressing kindness and support.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The book uses the motif of the mother as a 'superhero' to catalyze the child's imagination about the roles parents play.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to use their creativity to see everyday life and people in imaginative and appreciative ways, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Gender Roles and Equality
Explanation: Highlighting a mother as a superhero challenges traditional gender roles and showcases women in empowering roles.
Real-World Application: It encourages both boys and girls to appreciate and respect diverse roles regardless of gender, promoting gender equality from a young age.