Supernan’s Day Out

Phil Earle's Supernan's Day Out is a funny superhero story for 5 year olds about a boy who's banned from saving the world for one whole day.

What happens

Stanley looks like a normal boy. He isn't. He and his dad are secretly Super Stan and Dynamo Dan, and this week alone they've stopped 27 UFOs, 91 kidnaps and 603 bank robberies.

No wonder Mum's had enough. Dad gets packed off to a health spa. Stanley isn't allowed to use his powers once, because he's spending the day with his nan.

It's the worst news EVER (his words, not mine).

Nan lives in a care home that Stanley calls Cabbage House. She calls him Sam, Simon, Shaun and even Sharon. Her false teeth click-clack. And today she's off on a coach trip to the seaside with all her friends, so Stanley is going too.

Then things start going wrong all around them. A plane with a broken engine. A robber in a clown mask at the bingo. A hotel on fire up on the cliff.

Every time, Stanley is desperate to help. Every time, he can't sneak off to change without Nan finding out his secret. And every time, somebody else gets there first.

So who is it? Your reader might have a guess from the title (and from Nan's very suspicious trip to the coach toilet).

It's a short, silly read that moves fast. There's a sweet from Nan's friend Gladys that tastes of cabbage, some very loud bingo calls and a dog who wees in annoying places. The jokes are exactly the kind five-year-olds love.

Underneath the fun there's something sweet too. Stanley starts the day sure that spending it with old people will be AWFUL. It's lovely watching him find out how wrong he is.

If you've got a child who thinks their grandparents are a bit dull, this could be a fun way to see them differently!

What to read next

If they enjoy Phil Earle's daft sense of humour, try Albert Johnson and the Buns of Steel next. It's another worn-out dad, this time a Master Baker, and a boy who'd much rather be playing sport than learning to bake.