Superheroes for a Day

By Craig Cormick

Illustrated by Lauren Mullinder

Reviewed by Judy Wollin.

Award winning Craig Cormick has written all his life and across a number of genres. He won the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award in 2006 for A Funny Thing Happened at 27,000 Feet  Lauren Mullinder is an illustrator, graphic designer, artist and educator from Adelaide SA.

Their book Superheroes for a Day provides important insights into what it is like to be a student with autism, how it differs, and how understanding can overcome unrealistic expectations and problems.

Daniel and his two best friends, Max and Natalie, are in Year Six, and disaster has struck. The PE teacher has lost the only key to the equipment shed, and it looks like the class will have to do maths all day. Max suggests that the three friends can find a solution.

Daniel and Natalie are not so sure. All three are enrolled in the special education unit for kids with autism. Max reassures his friends that they do have special powers, even if other students think they are weird. The three friends must collaborate and draw on their unique skills to find an answer.

The story provides important insights and is well-written. The illustrations add to the story too by helping to picture the characters. It made me smile. The font is large for ease of reading, but additional white space would have enhanced it.

This book is recommended for readers aged eight years and older, including adults wishing to understand autism. A great one for the school library.

Teacher’s Notes

EK Books 2024

Judy Wollin loves travel and camping, reading and writing action adventure books for 9-12-year-olds. Her books reflect real life and a vivid imagination.