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SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles

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Even the mightiest of superheroes sometimes need a cuddle from their mom…

SuperJoe is convinced he doesn’t need cuddles from his mom. He flies around the neighborhood rescuing people from escaped tigers, runaway trains and raging rivers, all while battling his nemesis the Gray Shadow. Naturally, he refuses all cuddles. Until, one night, when he can’t sleep...

“A sweet story about a child’s active imagination, friendship, and independence”—Kirkus Reviews

"Super fun, super playful, this stunning picture book captures the youthful imagination and burgeoning independence of caped crusader SuperJoe. With clever comic-style illustrations and warm-hearted humor, it’s a timely reminder that everyone needs a reassuring hug from Mom sometimes"—The Jericho Book Prize

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 7, 2021

14 people want to read

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Michael Catchpool

34 books7 followers

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5 stars
12 (13%)
4 stars
31 (34%)
3 stars
38 (42%)
2 stars
7 (7%)
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1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Jeanie.
3,043 reviews1 follower
September 14, 2021
Maybe you have a superkid. One that likes to helpful and does not have time for hugs or feels maybe they don't need that special hug. Joe is that kid but it all changes when the night comes with all the night time noises and shapes. Joe likes his adventure during the day but the night time offers something a little more.

Our kids grow up and don't always appreciate the hugs we want to give them. This is for the hugger and the not so hugger.

A special thank you to Publisher Spotlight and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Profile Image for Briar's Reviews.
2,231 reviews576 followers
October 26, 2021
SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles is a lovely children's picture book!

This read is awesome for many reasons:
1. Superheroes! Who doesn't love a good superhero book?
2. A book all about hugs and when we do not appreciate it.
3. Wonderfully designed illustrations that give it a unique look and feel.
4. Diversity!
5. A fun and playful story that is super engaging and fun to read.

Overall, this is a delightful book! I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lantana Publishing for providing me with a free book in exchange of an honest review.
Profile Image for Katrina.
106 reviews16 followers
September 30, 2021
I read Super Joe Does NOT Do Cuddles to my eight year old son. He gave it five out of five. He said that his favorite pictures in the book were pictures of the mother and son at the table reading the paper about the tiger on the loose.

He also enjoyed the pun about super Joe getting the runaway train back on track. He stayed totally invested in the story. It's hard to get him to calm down and transition to bedtime and this book held his attention completely.

I liked that there was diverse representation. I loved that super Joe had locs (dreadlocks). All in all this is a very enjoyable book for both myself and my eight-year-old. My eleven-year-old also listened in (while pretending not to) and eventually told me that she enjoyed the story and pictures as well. Finally, I loved the very sweet ending.

Thank you Lerner Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this book.
Profile Image for Christina Dendy.
Author 9 books30 followers
September 30, 2021
My kids have all been SuperKids, and though one has outgrown story time, the other two loved this one, especially my 6yo son, who is still very much a SuperQuinn. The illustrations are just perfect and beautiful, and my son loved exploring every page and my daughter, who often just listens now, kept asking me to show her the pages. A fun adventure for any young reader, and a good reminder that we can respect our littles' space and growing independence and they still might decide that they can be superheroes AND enjoy a good cuddle now and again ...
Profile Image for Barbara.
14.7k reviews312 followers
September 12, 2021
Illustrations created with pencil and then digitally colored complement a relatable story about affection. SuperJoe spends his days performing heroic acts such as capturing a tiger, harnessing a runaway train., and rescuing folks from a collapsed bridge, all acts that he blames on his nemesis, the Gray Shadow. Each time as he ventures forth, this mother asks for a cuddle and offers him a piece of clothing. He rebuffs her bid for affection but accepts the clothing reluctantly, ending up using them in his heroic rescues. When it's time for bed, he is restless and is finally ready to cuddle. In fact, he even requests one. The final lines and images will make readers smile once they realize the identity of the Gray Shadow. While superheroes might not want cuddles, small boys and girls do. Those acts of affection just have to be on their own terms and their own time. This picture book might be a fun read aloud if it were rendered with just the right enthusiasm and gestures. As it is, it reminds readers that some things are more important than hugs and that hugs are sometimes more important than anything else.
Profile Image for Mehsi.
14.7k reviews441 followers
July 28, 2022
Een enorm zoet en leuk boek over een kleine jongen, een superheld, die het zeker weet. Hij heeft geen knuffels nodig!


Ik kan het nooit laten om boeken over superhelden mee te nemen en te lezen! Vooral als ze kleiner zijn dan de normale superhelden.

In dit boek ontmoeten we een kleine superheld die steeds de wereld redt… en zijn moeders knuffels niet wilt! Gelukkig geeft mama het niet hoop en geeft ze hem liefde op andere manieren, je weet wel die manieren die je als kind niet leuk vindt, maar die vaak toch wel erg nuttig bleken te zijn. Zoals een extra dikke sjaal! Of een vestje! Ik vond het ook erg leuk dat deze items hem ook hielpen in zijn superhelden acties, ik keek al vrij snel uit naar welk kledingsitem moeders zou geven en hoe hij het zou gebruiken!

De superhelden scenes zijn spannend en leuk en ik vond het ook tof dat we dus een nemesis hadden al had ik daar graag iets meer van willen zien.

Het einde was onwijs zoet en daar ging ik dan ook heel hard AWWW bij. Extra leuk vond ik dat we ook bij iemand anders thuis keken en zagen hoe daar het slaaptijdritueel gebeurde.

De illustraties waren erg mooi gedaan! Leuke stijl~

Dus ik zou dit boek aanrader! Een boek vol moederliefde, superheldenacties, en meer~

Recensie ook gepost op https://boekeneiland.nl/
Profile Image for Mary.
1,836 reviews15 followers
August 28, 2021
This story is for anyone who likes superheroes. And anyone who does, knows how they come to the rescue but what happens at home is a mystery. This book gives us a look into the private life of Superhero Joe. Not only does he listen to his mom’s advice, we see how he cleverly dispatches each potential calamity.
The author cleverly depicts the traits of many boys growing up and exerting their independence. The graphics perfectly depict the characters of the story - Superhero Joe and also his nemesis, the Gray Shadow.
This story is fun and entertaining - even for adults. Definitely one a child will want to read and reread often.
I received an advanced reader copy for free from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Profile Image for Olivia.
3,644 reviews97 followers
November 5, 2021
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

SUPERJOE DOES NOT DO CUDDLES is a sweet picture book about how even the most super among us need a little help - and cuddles - sometimes. SuperJoe is ready to save the day, so he does not have time for his mother's cuddles. Even though she does not get cuddles, she makes sure he is prepared for his daring rescues with items like his scarf and belt, which come in handy as he saves the day. At the end of day, SuperJoe finds it hard to sleep - so he decides to finally accept the cuddles he needs to help fall asleep.

What I loved: This is an adorable picture book for superhero fans, who will enjoy seeing SuperJoe save the day from the hungry tiger, runaway train, and collapsing bridge - complete with a supervillain. Although his mother does not get the cuddles she wants before he goes to save the day each time, she does make sure that he takes along key items - which end up helping him save the day. Importantly, the book shows that even superheroes need help (and cuddles) sometimes. The adorable illustrations help to convey the superhero story and all the adorable fun of the book.

The length of the story will work great for young elementary school readers, who will also be age appropriate for the superhero-style danger SuperJoe encounters during his day (nothing too scary, as he saves the day quickly). The text is bold and large enough to easily read aloud.

Final verdict: An adorable picture book about accepting help and cuddles, SUPERJOE DOES NOT DO CUDDLES is a sweet story about a superhero who needs a little help from his mother sometimes.

Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Meghan.
2,422 reviews
November 17, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Publisher Spotlight - Lantana Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I absolutely love this book and the concept of boys becoming superheroes and like most boys, they do not like to be cuddled. The illustrations were brilliantly executed and very eye-catchy which will bring attention to a lot of children. This book also reflects an important life lesson in which something is underappreciated until you don't have it anymore. A lot of our school teachers too will appreciate this book and the connection it has to many lessons learned for children. I know our children will love it and we definitely will consider it for a storytime candidate.

We will consider adding this title to our Picture Book collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Profile Image for Aolund.
1,713 reviews20 followers
January 10, 2022
SuperJoe is a kids superhero who is so busy saving the world that he determinedly does not have time for cuddles from his mom—though he does grudgingly take the warm clothes she insists he takes with him on his adventures. But at the end of the day, he finds that he does want a cuddle from her after all! A sweet and simple story about how it's okay to want comfort and cuddles even as you're growing up and becoming independent. SuperJoe and his mom are both Black, and the illustrations depict people of multiple races.

Themes: Growing Up, Superheroes, Family
Age range: Toddler-Preschool
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,546 reviews10 followers
November 30, 2021
I was a kid like this. I didn't want your hugs or squeezes and getting into my space. This book takes this issue and shows how Super Joe has superpowers and work to do and a time when it is okay, Mom.
Even superheroes have a soft spot.
30 reviews5 followers
April 14, 2022
This is a sweet story, but I thought Superjoe's desire to not cuddle would be honored, in a message of consent. This story goes in a different direction and Superjoe is still respected, but it wasn't quite as compelling to me.
Profile Image for Annisa.
251 reviews1 follower
read-for-work
July 21, 2023
Heel leuk prentenboek over een kleine superheld die mensen redt van rampen... maar ook gewoon een kind is die zijn moeder nodig heeft
Profile Image for Jessica.
4,667 reviews4 followers
June 22, 2024
This was cute. A boy says super heroes don't do cuddles with their moms, but he goes off into jungles, etc., to save people. I really liked the ending. I felt it brought everything together.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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