SUPERMOMS! (Book 1, Animal Heroes Series)
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In comics-style panels full of facts and humor, this lively picture book investigates the amazing lengths animal mothers go to in caring for their young.
An emperor penguin mom treks up to fifty miles to bring food to her hungry chick. A toothy American alligator carefully carries hatchlings in her mouth, shuttling them safely to the water. A piping plover uses her best acting skills to feign an injury, luring predators away from her offspring. Whether building elaborate burrows, forgoing food for months on end to feed their cubs, toting hundreds of spiderlings on their backs, conducting patient swimming lessons, or fearlessly kicking away hyenas, mothers in the animal kingdom--whatever their species--give it their all (and then some!) to keep their little ones safe, fed, and ready to face the world on their own.
This first book in a young series on animal science includes in its back matter a look at the "super" qualities of some of the animals and offers a collection of resources for budding naturalists.
Reviews
This lively riff on superheroes, the first in a projected new series of science books, explores the mothering habits of 18 different animal species . . . . For youngsters who like learning about the animal kingdom, this work offers a pleasing variety . . . . For Mother’s Day or any day, an appealing take on animal factoids.
—Kirkus Reviews
Lang and Harper introduce animal mothers who go above and beyond in raising their progeny . . . Speech balloons permit these cheeky children and moms to remark about the scenes depicted, and formal text is kept minimal, allowing the colorful art and humorous commentary to take center stage . . . this will be popular with browsers and intriguing for primary science units.
—Booklist
Most of the creatures’ efforts have a true wow factor that, combined with comedic commentary throughout, results in a super silly tribute to supermoms.
—Publishers Weekly
Reviews and Interviews
Nerdy Book Club Making SUPERMOMS!: A Conversation About Collaboration
Candlewick Author Spotlight
Librarian’s Quest review of SUPERMOMS!
Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook review and ELA tie-in
Archimede’s Notebook Q&A
Pragmatic Mom Mother’s Day Picture Books
Good Reads with Ronna Five Mother’s Day Books for Children 2023
Celebrate Picture Books review and activity
Resources and Activities for Supermoms!
SUPER Worksheets and Activities
Supermoms! Matching Challenge (Match the supermom with the superfact)
Supermoms! Animal Classification Matching Challenge (Match the supermom with her animal class)
Supermoms! Memory Game: page 1 and page 2 (Print two copies on card stock, cut into cards, turn them face down, and try to find the matching pairs)
Watch Your Favorite Supermoms in Action!
(Click on the supermom to watch)
RIVER OTTER
CICHLID
POLAR BEAR
ELEPHANT
GIANT PACIFIC OCTOPUS
WOLF SPIDER
ALLIGATOR
ORANGUTAN
EMPEROR PENGUIN
BAT
HORNBILL
STRAWBERRY POISON FROG
BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN
It’s Movie Night!
Grab some popcorn and cheer on a supermom
in one of these fascinating films.
Animal Babies: First Year on Earth. Directed by James Hemming. PBS, 2019 (1 hour 51 mins)
Watch on: PBS.org and Amazon Prime
Summary: The first year of life is the toughest. Four cinematographers follow six iconic baby animals as they face the challenges of surviving their first year on Earth.
Arctic Tale. Directed by Adam Ravetch and Sarah Robertson. National Geographic, 2007 (1 hour 36 mins)
Watch on: Amazon Prime and YouTube (https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=zvJfTbvPW2M)
Summary: This movie follows Nanu, the polar bear cub and Seela, the walrus pup, through exciting and harrowing struggles for survival. Armed only with their natural instincts and mothers' guidance, these inspiring animals face countless trials and challenges in a beautiful icebound world that is rapidly melting beneath them.
Born to Be Wild. Directed by David Lickley. IMAX Corporation, 2011 (41 mins)
Watch on: Amazon Prime, Hulu, and YouTube (https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=MVmCfpJDfas)
Summary: Go to the lush rainforests of Borneo with world-renowned primatologist Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas, and across the rugged Kenyan Savannah with elephant expert Dr. Dame Daphne M. Sheldrick, as they and their teams rescue, rehabilitate, and return these incredible animals back to the wild.
Giraffes: The Forgotten Giants. Directed by Mark Johnson. PBS America, 2015 (50 mins)
Watch on: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qx6vw93GBE)
Summary: An exciting look into the secret life of giraffes, as scientists race to solve the last pieces of code about how these magnificent creatures communicate.
Growing Up Wild. Directed by Mark Linfield and Keith Scholey. Disneynature, 2016 (77 minutes)
Watch on: Amazon Prime
Summary: From their first steps of exploring their world to their final steps into independence, “Growing Up Wild” reveals the triumphs and setbacks of five young animals (cheetah, chimpanzee, lion, bear, and monkey) in which instinct, parental lessons, and trial and error ultimately define their destinies.
March of the Penguins. Directed by Luc Jacquet. National Geographic Films, 2005 (80 minutes)
Watch on: Amazon Prime and YouTube (https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=8RtGSbv-56w)
Summary: This breathtakingly beautiful documentary chronicles the heroic and harrowing journey that emperor penguins make amid subfreezing temperatures and violent snowstorms at the South Pole in order to mate.
More Books About Our Supermoms!
Head to your local library and check out these fantastic picture books to learn more about our supermoms. (Click on the book cover for more info)
