A book that gently explores bullying from the observer’s point of view didn’t initially sound like it would be of interest to young readers. Adults know that bullies act that way because they’re insecure or are also being bullied. It’s a harder concept to convey that to children. We’ve talked to our seven year old about bullies and people who incessantly pick on others but are met with the same disdainful look every time. Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio with illustrations by Stephanie Graegin manages to parlay this tricky relationship in a way that children will understand.
That’s tricky because the students receive anti-bullying messages at school which are appreciated and understood, but they’re conducted from an adult’s perspective. Super Manny Stands Up! conveys the same message, but is simple, common sense based and does it without any social cliques.
The great thing that Super Manny does is that it gives the bully, in this case a large pig in an older grade, much less page time than the other characters. The bulk of the book is about Manny being Super Manny! He’s a raccoon who puts on a different colored cape every day after school. When he puts on the blue cape he’s fearless, saving the world from sea creatures that are up to no good. His red cape makes him strong; the yellow cape allows him to fly around the sky fighting cloud monsters and more.
Manny uses his imagination to play and fight these beasts, creatures and situations by himself at his house. When he goes to school he imagines himself wearing those same colored capes as he plays soccer, eludes space aliens and others. Everything is pretend until a loud voice from the other room says, “I said move”.
It’s important to point out that 80% of the book has taken place until this point. Manny is just a normal, happy kid, using his brain to tell stories and enjoy life.
When Tall One, the angry pig is picking on a tiny hedgehog Manny says from the other side of the room “Stop it”. The book makes sure to point out that it was the bravest, most courageous thing that he ever did.
Manny doubles down on his comment and says that he’s being mean. It’s here when most of the other kids in the lunchroom find their imaginary capes and echo Manny’s statement in various forms; telling Tall One to stop it or that he’s simply not being nice.
As an adult I know it’s not that simple, but this is a great start. What if kids just echoed the statements of other students who told other kids when they weren’t being nice? I would like our kids to be those who did the difficult thing of just saying ‘stop it, that’s not nice’. When they’re in middle or high school that won’t work, however those elementary school aged students really can benefit from this simple lesson that’s presented in a way that will speak to the eight and under set.
In the end Manny and the hedgehog become friends and play after school, with both of them donning capes as they conduct superhero adventures. The art in Super Manny Stands Up! is really effective, as is the format. Each page is filled with color from corner to corner until late in the book when we meet Tall One. Those pages have a slightly darker tone, as well as, more white space, with less movement to help pass along the tension happening in the cafeteria.
Ages seven or eight will be able to read the book without much, or any assistance. Kids as young as four will be entertained by Super Manny Stands Up! due to the fun animals, silly playtime, relatable story and great imagination. It’s a great good-night book that is interesting enough to read once, but detailed enough in its illustrations to read many times.
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