Here’s my selection for Perfect Picture Book Friday:
My Mom Has X-Ray Vision
Angela McAllister
Alex T. Smith
Tiger Tales, 2011 published in the United States
Originally published in Great Britain, 2010
Suitable for: Ages 5 and up
Theme/Topic: Mom Superpowers, Imagination
Opening: Matthew’s Mom was like all the other moms. She had ordinary hair, ordinary clothes, and a nice smile. Matthew’s Mom was just like all the other moms … (Oh the page turn!)
Brief Synopsis: Matthew’s mom looks like all the other moms, except she has X-Ray vision. He builds up evidence and then tests his theory only to determine she has another super power.
Links to resources: This is a great book to talk about things your child may “think” is real about a parent. Ask them to write a story about their parents. The beginning could be used as a prompt. “My mom is like all the other moms … except —” Who knows what your kid will say? There is an element of days of the week in the story, so you could study days of the week (especially the one on missing days).
Why I Like This Book: The first line hooked me. Enzo and I giggled out loud during our first read of this book. I wish I had X-ray vision sometimes. He’s glad I don’t. The ending … well, it brings up another mom superpower — eyes in the back of her head! This book was a delight to read and really fun to study. It’s the classic “how did my mom know I did that” story. The illustrations are brilliant. I found this interview with Alex T. Smith.
For more PPBF books, visit Susanna Leonard Hill’s Blog.
The title and cover are very engaging! I think a lot of kids think their parents have x-ray eyes. What they don’t realize is the we were there age and we have a certain way of “knowing” things. I love your idea about having a child write something about his/her parent. Fun share today.
It’s a very engaging book. Oh, to have X-ray vision would be very helpful.
Oh, my goodness, this is an amazing concept for a PB!
It’s a great concept Mike. Susanna mentioned another title too in her comment that sounds similar and worth checking out.
What a great idea for a book. I will definitely check this one out. Thanks for telling me about it.
Hope you are able to find it Rosi. It’s really fun.
What fun and how we can be superheros especially when they are younger. We do have eyes in the back of our head and x-ray vision. We know things 😉 Mwhahaha.
I hope I will always know things. 🙂 I really need eyes in the back of my head!
I quote this book often! It is so much fun! I like your suggestion to talk about what they think is real about parents. I think we’ll have to do that! I can only guess what he is going to say.
You must share what he says! It really has a great beginning line too. The whole story is great, but I love the first few lines.
This sounds really fun, Stacy! And would be great to read with Karen Orloff’s If Mom Had Three Arms! Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t heard of that title Susanna. I’ll have to check it out. I love looking at how authors take a similar topic and create different stories.
Love it! My son is eleven and still thinks I have x-ray vision. What a great story!
I could only hope that my son believes that at 11. 🙂
I forgot it was Friday! Clearly my superpowers need to be re-charged. Thanks for sharing this book–I haven’t seen it before.
Wendy, Your superpowers have to be re-charged after depleting them with kiddos home!
Ahhhhh! I’m snorting just thinking about this book! Super Moms! I’ll have to check this one out!! Thanks!
Rhythm, Sounds like you have a super mom!
I’ve not heard of this one before but it sounds hilarious! Must look for it.
I really like the stories from this publisher. It’s a good one to entertain both the adult reader and the little one.
Oh does this one ever look like fun! Thanks for sharing it – will have to find it around here somewhere 🙂
I hope you find it. It’s a fun one.
Oh, this sounds so funny! My kids think I have superpower hearing because I always know what they are plotting. They just don’t realized how LOUD they talk!! I will definitely look for this one!
I thought all moms had X-ray vision – or at least eyes in the backs of their heads! Although, as a mom, I often wished I had as many arms as an octopus, and muscles of steel (for carrying everything!)
Muscles of steel would be ideal.
This sounds fabulous, Stacy!
It’s a good one.
Ahem. My mom actually has xray vision.
LOL