The Purim Superhero

First, it's a good story, written well for the target age group (4-9). Second, it conveys the essence of the Purim Story applied to the problems every child has to deal with, but it's not didactic or preachy. Third, the context is a supportive two-dad family, with a helpful sister too. Fourth, the illustrations are charming and clear. Fifth, the author is my daughter.

this is one of the first books in a library collection i am accumulating about families in the 21st century. this is an essential piece of writing because family structures are changing and those of us who are responsible for education of young children have to be responsive and respectful of ALL the families whose lives we touch every day.

This is a delightful story of a little boy who is struggling with conformity vs nonconformity in his school's Purim celebration. We were absolutely delighted to see a book about a Jewish family with a Daddy and an Abba, and it was very casually presented. We bought a copy and donated a copy to our children's school, a Jewish day school. Way to go, KarBen & Ma. Kushner! Great illustrations too!

I love this book and have bought it for many friends' kids. The message is wonderful (it's ok to be unique and be proud of who you are), and it weaves in the Purim story in a really nice way. I also love that it features a non-traditional family (the main character has two dads, one of whom sews his costume for him), without it being *about* the fact that they have a non-traditional family. I wish this author would write more children's books! I would buy them all.

This is a really sweet and decently written book about a boy trying to decide if he should fit in with the crowd or follow his heart with his Purim costume. My kids love it. I also love that it shows a family headed by 2 men and doesn't make a big deal about it. It's just how it is, which is how I think it should be.

In a powerful way, this story capitalizes on one of the main concepts of Purim- tolerance and acceptance of diversity. The story begins when Nate and his classmates are discussing the costumes that they will wear for Purim. Nate’s friends want to be super heroes while Nate would prefer to be an alien. Nate, like most children, would like to fit in and not be different from his friends. During a conversation with one of his fathers, he hears an important message. “Sometimes showing who you really are makes you stronger, even if you’re different from other people.” Nate also realizes that he is not like most other kids who have a mom and a dad. He has two fathers. Children reading this book will understand Nate’s dilemma and appreciate the decision that he makes.

A cute story, cute artwork and a wonderful message for kids to be true to themselves even if it makes them different. Also love that this features an family incidentally headed by a same-sex couple.

It's 2013. For many of our Jewish children, it is not unusual to be in a family (or have friends in families) that don't fit the mold of one-mom-one-dad-everyone's-the-same-color that we have seen for generations in Jewish picture books. This book was definitely needed for the reasons stated by other reviewers. I know that one book can't be all things to all people. Yet, is it really that hard to include different skin tones in a picture book? If not within the family, then at least among friends at Hebrew School? Further, can we have books where two dads or two moms or single parents or blended families or multiracial families can just be... normal, without even needing to call attention to it? That's how today's children, a generation removed from "Heather Has Two Mommies", will both see themselves in the stories and internalize their normality. Six years ago, less than a month before I became an adoptive parent to an African-American son, I praised Todd Parr's "The Family Book" for making diversity obvious and normal. I would love to see our Jewish stories reflect that reality.