Kids love to be the hero of their own story and these wonderful superhero picture books are just the thing to charge up their imaginations. This list of superhero children’s books will inspire kids to don a cape and mask and set off on an adventure where they conquer dastardly villains and save the world!
MORE: for children ages 6-10 who are reading independently, be sure to check out this list of superhero early chapter books!
MORE: For more super fun, children will love this list of girl superhero books!
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Want a printable list to take to the library? You can get one at the end of the post. You can also see this list at Bookshop and support your independent bookstore.
Superhero Picture Books for Kids
All of the superhero books below are just right for preschoolers through elementary school.
Kapow!
by George O’Connor
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
A young boy and his friend transform into American Eagle and Bug Girl and set off to capture The Rubber Bandit! O’Connor illustrates this fun adventure in large graphic novel-style panels. The kids use their imagination to turn ordinary household objects into props for their caped crusade, defining mom’s reminder to not get too carried away. Of course they do, but mom has a good solution for when the house gets a little messy…
The Adventures of Sparrowboy
by Brian Pinkney
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
One day while riding his bike, Henry collides with a bird and becomes Sparrowboy! He uses his new found powers to save the neighborhood from bullies and runaway wagons–all while completing his newspaper route. Great fun.
Lucía the Luchadora
by Cynthia Leonor Garza
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
This is a fun, exuberant book. Lucía runs through the playground with her red cape, and the boys tell her “girls can’t be superheroes.” This makes Lucía mad, “Spicy mad. KA-POW kind of mad.” Then, her grandmother tells her about the luchadoras and together they hatch a marvelous plan.
Lyric McKerrigan, Secret Librarian
by Jacob Sager Weinstein
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
This is such a fun story! An evil genius is out to destroy all the books! But Lyric McKerrigan is not having any of it. Using the amazing tools and gadgets that librarians have at their disposal, she harnesses the power of books to save the day–and the world!
MORE: Superhero science experiments to learn how your favorite heroes’ powers works!
Even Superheroes Have Bad Days
by Shelley Becker
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
When your kid loves superheroes and you also want to reinforce social and emotional skills, turn to this fun title. Superheroes may have the strength and power to throw epic tantrums when their emotions overwhelm them, but do they? No! They channel that energy into positive actions, thus regaining control and learning how to harness their emotional response for good.
Max
by Bob Graham
Find it: Amazon | Indiebound
This is a sweet story of a family of superheroes from Australian author, Bob Graham. Max, the son of Captain Lightning and Madam Thunderbolt can’t fly yet. He wonders if he isn’t super after all. He could just grow up to be ordinary. But one day as he watches a baby bird in peril and tries to save it, he learns that small deeds can also turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man
by Michael Chabon
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
Awesome Man exudes traditional superhero qualities as he battles nemesis after nemesis. The real joy of this book is the dynamic and engaging illustrations that bring the imaginative battles to life and offer kids clues as to Awesome Man’s secret.
Jinx and the Doom Fight Crime
by Lisa Mantchev
Find it: Bookshop |Amazon | Indiebound
Jinx and the Doom engage in the usual sibling spats but decide it is more fun to put aside their differences to team up and fight crime. They get their orders from headquarters (aka mom) and their imaginative adventures get them through the day. A really fun take on childhood dreams of “saving the day!”
The Day I Lost My Superpowers
by Michaël Escoffier
Find it: Bookshop |Amazon | Indiebound
In this droll French import, a charming girl narrates her ability to do superhero-like actions like fly, and make things (such as cupcakes) disappear. But somehow she has lost her powers. Lucky for her, it turns out her mom has superpowers, too.
Ladybug Girl
by David Soman
Find it: Bookshop | Amazon | Indiebound
Soman’s Ladybug Girl is the subject of a popular series of superhero-themed picture books, including a spin-off about her friend, Bumblebee Boy. It is the quintessential story of childhood imagination. A girl puts on a pair of wings and transforms, along with her dog, into hero and sidekick. Together, they engage in little acts of heroism around the neighborhood. Utterly delightful.
More books for your young superheroes:
- Adventure picture books for kids
- Books to inspire kids to follow their dreams
- Picture books about perseverance
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