Wedgieman: A Hero Is Born (Step into Reading)

CHARISE MERICLE HARPER has written and illustrated numerous children's books, including Just Grace; The Power of Cute; Gigi in the Big City; Milo's Special Words; Good Night, Leo; Pink Me Up; and When Randolph Turned Rotten. She lives in Mamaroneck, New York, with her husband and their two children.  Charise loves creating art and stories, petting her cat, drinking coffee, and eating pie.

BOB SHEA is the author-illustrator of the award-winning and bestselling Dinosaur vs. Bedtime, as well as Oh, Daddy!, New Socks, and I'm a Shark. He also wroteBig Plans, illustrated by Lane Smith. Bob lives in Connecticut with his family.

K-Gr 2-In this "true" history of how a superhero named Veggieman became known as Wedgieman, Harper serves up a generous portion of humor that's sure to elicit giggles from the intended chapter-book audience. Veggiebaby progresses from a playful, bold vegetable-loving infant to a strong, scoutlike Veggieboy, and, finally, dressed in superhero regalia, he is Veggieman. In this final incarnation, he executes his most daring deed, rescuing a child stranded high in a tree. However, sticks from the tree adhere to his neon green shirt, making his "V" appear as a "W" and making way for the gag that drives the entire story. His young fans dub him Wedgieman, concluding this adventure and undoubtedly paving the way for subsequent ones. Parents will appreciate the healthy-eating pitch while children are eating up a nonsensical story that is perfect for newly independent readers.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CTα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.