We’re thrilled to be taking part in the SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles book tour. It’s such a fun book and we were also lucky to be able to ask a couple of questions to the author and illustrator so read on to find out what we just HAD to know and their replies!
SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles is written by Michael Catchpool and illustrated by Emma Proctor. Published by Lantana Publishing who kindly sent us a copy to review.
Review
SuperJoe is a little Black boy full of life and joy! He’s a busy superhero who spends his days saving people from hungry tigers and runaway trains but his mum is always trying to cramp his style by making him do things he thinks superheroes don’t do, like wearing a scarf so he doesn’t catch a cold or giving him cuddles before he goes off to save the world. Everyone knows superheroes don’t do cuddles, right? While SuperJoe gives in to most of his mum’s demands, there is one he won’t accept and that’s getting a snuggle from his mum. Until one day after another busy day of superheroing, he struggles to get to sleep. His mum offers up a few different solutions but SuperJoe knows exactly what he wants and needs; a cuddle!
We loved how the mum didn’t push him for a cuddle when he didn’t want one. It allows him to have ownership over his body and learn that it is ok to say no, even to his mum! When he needed a cuddle he was happy to ask for one even if he was worried about what other people would think.
The vibrant illustrations really added to the story, and there were lots of little details we loved like the bubbles in SuperJoe’s hair in the bath and all the superhero touches throughout the book.
SuperJoe is a sweet story, full of adventure and escapades but at the heart of the story is the relationship between a boy and his mum.
We recommend this book for children who love superhero stories and fun illustrations full of action and excitement.
