New York Times bestselling author Kelly DiPucchio and illustrator Stephanie Graegin bring a lionhearted new hero to life in this tender, sparkling story about standing up for what’s right—and finding your inner superpowers.
Every day after school, Manny saves the world from formidable foes. I AM FEARLESS! I AM STRONG! I AM BRAVE! I AM POWERFUL! I AM INVINCIBLE!
Zombie bears, evil cloud monsters, and alien robots with laser beam eyes are no match for Super Manny. But when Manny encounters a real-life nemesis in the school cafeteria, will he be able to summon his superhero strength to save the day?
About the Author
Kelly DiPucchio is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Grace for President and numerous other books for kids, including Super Manny Stands Up!; Crafty Chloe, Zombie in Love, Gaston, and Antoinette. She lives with her husband and three children in Michigan. You can find out more about Kelly and her books at KellyDiPucchio.com.
Stephanie Graegin is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio; Water in the Park by Emily Jenkins; Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Garton Scanlon; Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox; and Listen by Gabi Snyder. She earned her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her MFA in printmaking from Pratt Institute, and she currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit her at Graegin.com.
Praise For…
"This charming story marries the mania for superheroes with a potent anti-bullying message, making it an apt tale for present times. Super Manny, an imaginative raccoon child...declares out loud to the world his own fearlessness and strength in words that children will want to echo.... The whimsical illustrations and antics of imaginative Manny (and his new porcupine friend, Small One) will delight children and their grown-ups even as they take in the playfully delivered yet deeply felt message of the importance of standing up for others. Speech balloons vary in size according to the confidence level of the speakers—a highly effective visual. With great read-aloud potential, this story could be used by both parents and teachers to introduce concepts of courage and standing up to bullies from the youngest preschoolers up." — Kirkus Reviews, May 2017
"DiPucchio’s…brevity and directness should make an instant connection with readers. Graegin’s pencil-and-ink pictures seem unassuming and lighthearted…, but when the lunchroom scene unfolds, the images take on surprising and touching drama, creating a powerful moment of truth." — Publishers Weekly
"A highly topical subject, and the book is realistic about the difficulty of speaking up and encouraging about the value of even a small intervention.... This could be a useful discussion-opener, and maybe some young superhero fans will take Manny’s cue for superheroism in their own lives." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June 2017
"Sweet and sincere Manny proves he has the mettle to stand up to foes real and imaginary." — Booklist Online, May 2017
"Young readers and listeners will be cheering for Manny’s heroic endeavors while subtly digesting a deeper message of antibullying. The pencil and ink drawings sweetly depict the childlike qualities of Manny and his animal classmates. VERDICT: This wonderful read-aloud is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Recommended." — School Library Journal, August 2017
