Book Review: ‘Super Heroes Have Feelings Too’: DC Comics characters help children express their emotions in engaging book.

In this new, scary and unpredictable era of social distancing, families are all adjusting to a new normal, and a parent’s anxiety can rub off on their children. So it’s vital for kids to be able to communicate clearly and express their concerns so that we can help provide guidance and comfort.

What wonderful timing then, for Downtown Bookworks to release a book that provides support and character building in trying times.

D.C. Comics’ ‘Super Heroes Have Feelings Too’ (written by Morris Katz) takes an interesting premise; instead of viewing super heroes as godlike beings immune to human emotion and failings, we’re shown how some of DC’s most iconic characters feel while they’re on their world saving missions. It’s also chock full of gorgeous classic artwork.

The book covers the full gamut of emotions, including calm (Aquaman), happiness (Superman), and anger (Batman, naturally) along with positing questions to the reader (for example, the Superman caption asks “What makes YOU calm and happy?”)

This makes for a wonderful moment to have dialogue between parent and child that goes beyond the printed page. My 4 year old daughter responded strongly throughout the book, injecting her own feelings throughout.

The book ends with a little emotional detective work where readers can look at a variety of super hero faces and answer questions like “Who looks happy? Scared?” etc, ending with “How are you feeling right now?

I found ‘Super Heroes Have Feelings Too’ to be engaging, fun and enlightening (especially upon hearing my daughter’s input). Something about the mythic power of these classic characters helps inspire one to express their own heroic traits, and these are certainly times with which inner strength is paramount.