Kid Amazing vs. the Blob

April 24, 2017
When an “extremely annoying howl” wafts through Jimmy’s house, he springs into action: this is a job for his superhero alter ego, Kid Amazing. After taking a secret elevator to his high-tech underground lair—depicted in an elaborate cutaway illustration—and suiting up in his superhero attire, Kid Amazing gets his assignment from the Commissioner (Mom) and tracks the howl (and an accompanying stench) to a high chair containing the Blob (his baby sister). Her calamity is twofold: she has dropped her pacifier (“the howl neutralizer”), a situation that Kid Amazing expertly remedies, and she has a wet diaper, which he sagely leaves for the Commissioner to deal with (“the Blob needs a new stink-containment unit” he informs her). Schneider’s (Everybody Sleeps ) jaunty illustrations give this sly superhero story an extra goose of irreverence and theatricality. Extra kudos to the author for refraining from a reconciliation between Kid Amazing and his nemesis, although the Commissioner does admonish him to “please stop calling your sister the Blob” in a nice throwaway line. Ages 4–7. Agent: Paul Rodeen, Rodeen Literary Management.

April 15, 2017
Jimmy becomes a superhero and conquers his archnemesis.Upon hearing a loud, terrible howling, Jimmy rushes through a secret door into a secret elevator and down to the lowest level of his home, where he transforms himself into the formidable Kid Amazing. He arms himself with an array of gadgets and heads toward danger. Encountering a terrible odor in the Blob's lair, he quickly uses his trusty "de-stinking spray" and nullifies that problem. When he reaches the dreaded villain, he finds the hidden "howl neutralizer," and magically all is calm. He applies to the Commissioner for approval and a cookie, making an (unrealistically) optimistic prediction that there will be no more trouble from the Blob. Of course readers will quickly suss out that Kid Amazing's adventures involve an annoying baby sibling and a very patient mom. (All are white.) Schneider's take on the new-baby syndrome is fun and inventive. Kid is admirably willing to help his mom with this blobby creature and applies great care and cunning in his machinations, all cleverly depicted in lively pen-and-ink-and-watercolor illustrations. However, Kid's costume elements and accouterments are explained in small blue and white insets, interrupting the flow of the tale and employing syntax that is at a more sophisticated level than the main text; while adults reading with children will get a chuckle, they may leave actual children behind. Imaginative new-sibling fun. (Picture book. 3-6)

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Starred review from June 1, 2017
Preschool-G *Starred Review* In this sprightly sibling story, Jimmy, a somewhat old-fashioned-looking boy with slicked down hair and a bright bow tie, is quietly practicing his handwriting when a loud alarm goes off. His own version of the bat signal sends him rushing to a secret underground workshop. Add some footie pajamas, a mystery cloth mask, dishwashing gloves, and a baseball cap, and Jimmy becomes Kid Amazing! The commissioner (Jimmy's mom) calls for his help in dealing with a loud howling sound. While the text consistently maintains the superhero concept, the pictures let readers in on the joke. Sounds and smells lead Kid Amazing to a confrontation with the terrible Blob, eventually revealed to be a crying baby in a high chair. The Blob's stink cloud is so strong, even a woman in a painting on the wall dons a gas mask. Kid Amazing thinks he's saved the day by finding the Blob's pacifier, but the last illustration shows his sister running diaperless down a hallway. Schneider's intricate, cleverly designed watercolor, pen, and ink illustrations depict both a vivid fantasy world and Jimmy's real home and family, which only adds more humor to the proceedings. Full of comedy ideal for the target audience and dynamic, tongue-in-cheek artwork packed with detail, this is destined to get kids rolling in the aisles.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2018
Watercolor and detailed pen-and-ink lines combine to showcase big brother Jimmy using his imagination to turn caring for his sibling into an epic adventure. Fighting "the Blob" (his little sister) and her "stink-containment unit" (diaper) with the help of a "howl neutralizer" (pacifier) is something only "Kid Amazing" can do. A comedic take on toddler siblings and their unique challenges.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)