#1
LET’S READ!
Superheroes are people with inhuman abilities such as super strength or invisibility. You can find them in a lot of fantasy and sci-fi stories, TV shows, and movies. And if you visit the right theme park, you might even get to see them in person!
Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes, but they all have unique powers that set them apart from regular, everyday people. Today, we’ll talk about what makes a superhero as we discuss some of the most popular superheroes!
One of the most popular superheroes of our time is Spider-Man. Spider-Man isn’t actually his real name, though–it’s Peter Parker! Peter Parker was a regular high school student until the day he got bit by a radioactive spider. That spider gave him the ability to shoot webs that he can swing from! Spider-Man travels through the streets by shooting webs at buildings, lampposts, and whatever else he has to use. And of course, since he’s a superhero, he uses these powers for good!
LET’S TALK!
1. Do you have a favorite superhero? Tell your child about them! Why are they your favorite?
2. What’s your favorite thing about Spider-Man? What’s your least favorite thing about him?
3. What makes a superhero a superhero? Is it just super powers, or is it something more? Explore this question with your child.
#2
LET’S READ!
The second most popular superhero is Wonder Woman! Her real name is Diana, and her mother, Hippolyta, made Diana out of clay, and life was given to her by the Greek Gods. Then as she grew up Paradise Island, where the Amazonian women living there taught her how to fight, but also how to maintain peace. Wonder Woman has many powers: she’s extremely strong and fast, and not only is she trained in combat, but she can fly! Plus, she can talk to animals!
Iron Man is another popular superhero. His real name is Tony Stark, and he was the heir to the weapons business his father made. But when he got caught in the explosion of a bomb his own company created, a piece of shrapnel flew into his chest. To keep it from getting to his heart, he created an electromagnet that fits into a hole in his chest.
But that’s not the coolest part–the best part is that when he got captured and held prisoner, Tony Stark built himself a suit that gave him strength and speed. With the power of this suit, Stark saves people from villains and fights against evil!
LET’S TALK!
1. Do you think Batman is a superhero? Explain to your child who Batman is and the reason behind your answer.
2. What’s your favorite superhero franchise? Why is it your favorite?
3. Do you like Wonder Woman? What about Iron Man? Why or why not?
#3
LET’S READ!
Another popular superhero is Superman. Also known as the Man of Steel, Superman was born as Kal-El on another planet: Krypton. However, he was sent to Earth when Krypton met its end, where he took on the identity of Clark Kent. He’s strong and fast, and he also has the ability to fly. He even has x-ray vision! In one of the Superman movies, a bullet hits Superman’s eye only to crumple up and flatten because even his eye is incredibly strong!
Superman only has one weakness–a green crystal called kryptonite. When he’s near this crystal, Superman becomes weak and exhausted. He not only loses his power; he becomes even less capable than a normal person. Today, we use the term “kryptonite” to refer to anything that makes us feel weak or acts as an obstacle.
LET’S TALK!
1. Do you like Superman? Do you enjoy the Superman movies or comics? Why or why not?
2. Just like Superman has kryptonite, regular humans have weaknesses too. Talk with your child about some of the things that are your kryptonite. How do you navigate these weaknesses and soft spots?
3. If you could have any superpower, what would you choose and why?
#4
LET’S READ!
Though they also appear in comics and animated shows, the superheroes we’ve talked about so far are also played by real people in live-action TV shows and movies. However, there are also some great superheroes who have only ever been animated as cartoons!
One of them is Danny Phantom, who starts off as Danny Fenton. Danny is just a normal kid until he accidentally activates a ghost portal and gets some ghostly powers–which he uses to fight the ghosts that haunt his hometown!
There are also the Powerpuff Girls. These girls, called Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup, were created by a man named Professor Utonium. He wanted them to be the perfect mix of “sugar, spice, and everything nice.” They have powers like super strength, flying, speed, super focused vision, and eyes that can fire lasers!
Of course, we have to talk about Buzz Lightyear! This hero is technically a toy, and you can find him in any of the Toy Story movies. Buzz has a suit that allows him to fly and shoot lasers, and he also knows multiple forms of combat!
LET’S TALK!
1. Do you already have powers like a superhero’s (such as strength, flexibility, mind-reading, or holding your breath for a long time)? Do you know someone who does? Tell your child your answer, then ask them what they think.
2. If you could be any superhero, who would you choose to be? Why?
3. Do you like live action or cartoon superheroes more? Explain your answer.
VOCABULARY WORDS:
hero, villain, powers, abilities, cape, mask, flying, strong, fast, nimble, exercise, morals, ethics, good, evil, invisibility, super strength
ACTIVITIES:
• Dress up with your child! Grab two sheets or blankets that you can tie into capes for you and your child. Then, have your child pick out a superhero name for both of you! Act out the adventures that the superheroes would have together.
• Make a superhero logo! Grab some paper and markers for your child to make their superhero logo. To help explain a logo, pull out some books that have superhero logos, or go to Google Images for examples of superhero logos such as Superman’s “S.”
• Does your child’s superhero character shoot webbing? If so, pick up a can of silly string for your child! When you give the can to your child, be sure to give some directions. Show them how to spray their webbing, then point out or set up objects that they can spray!
• Ask your child what their superhero eats for breakfast or lunch. (You might need to help them brainstorm.) Then based on what they say, surprise your child with a superhero meal made just for them!
RESOURCES:
1. Kids Superhero Song – Let’s Be Superheroes (YouTube Video)
2. Hulk VS The Avengers (YouTube Video)
3. Do Super Heroes Have Teddy Bears? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle (Taylor Trade Publishing, 2012)
4. Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis (Dial, 2008)
5. Superhero Me! by Karen Katz (Grosset & Dunlap, 2009)
6. Sky High (DVD, Walt Disney Home Entertainment, 2005)
7. Bolt (DVD, Walt Disney Animation, 2009)
8. Wonder Pets: The First Rescue! (DVD, Nickelodeon, 2010)
9. Super Buddies (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, 2013)
