What’s My Superpower? Aviaq Johnston. Illustrated by Tim Mack. Iqaluit, NU: Inhabit Media, 2017. 32 pp., hardcover, $16.95. ISBN 978-1-77227-140-9. Kindergarten-grade 3 / Ages 5-8. Review by Stephanie Johnson. ***1/2 /4

excerpt:

“Do you think I’ll ever have a superpower?” Nalvana asked.

“I don’t know, Panik. Maybe,” her mother said with a smile.

Nalvana always thought about what it would be like to have superpowers. Everywhere she went, she wore a yellow cape made from a blanket and a pair of snowmobiling goggles resting on her head.

On the first day of school, Nalvana was in gym class when a boy named Davidee ran into the gym so quickly he was just a blur. All the other kids tried to race him, but he was faster than all the kids in the class.

“Davidee, you have a superpower!” Nalvana excitedly told him. “You can run faster than a Ski-Doo!”

“Do you think that’s true?” Davidee asked her, beaming.

“I know it’s true!” said Nalvana. “But I wonder what my superpower is.”

Nalvana is a quirky, charming girl who loves to play around her town dressed up as a superhero. Alas, Nalvana does not know what her superpower is, but she is very good at finding out what other people’s powers are. She discovers a boy faster than a snowmobile, a girl who can fly off swing sets and even a boy who can hold his breath like a fish. The more superpowers she sees, the more frustrated Nalvana gets as it begins to look as though she is the only one without a power. At long last, Nalvana’s mother discovers what her power is: to make others feel good about themselves. Nalvana hears this and smiles, knowing this is a “good superpower to have.”

     This lovely picture book immediately draws the reader in with the fantastic, colourful illustrations. Tim Mack creates characters that you would want to hug; they have a cozy, happy feeling about them that just makes What’s My Superpower? a pleasure to look at. The colours are bright yet have muted tones in them so the pictures don’t jar the eye.

     The story, itself, is a simple idea about self-discovery, but it is told in such a positive manner that readers don’t get the dejected, sad section that often appears in picture books with this theme. Nalvana is a girl everyone can relate to regardless of sex or age. One of the best features of What’s My Superpower? is the insertion of Inuktitut words and names, and a glossary is even provided in the back for readers. What’s My Superpower? is a great picture book that seamlessly integrates diversity into a fun yet meaningful story.

Highly Recommended.

Stephanie Johnson is a graduate of the Master of Library and Information Studies Program from the University of Alberta and is the Director of Devon Public Library in Devon, AB.

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