Picture book - first draft

FOR DISCUSSION

Noah wants to be a Super Hero

©Hazel Campbell 

September 2015

 Noah wants very much to be a super hero. But he is only five years old and the littlest one in his family. Noah thinks that if his mom and his dad were superheroes, he would be a super hero too.

His dad is fixing his car in the driveway. "Are you a super hero?" Noah asks his dad.

"You bet I am," his dad replies. "I go to work every day and take care of all of you,"

Noah thinks that is not what super heroes do.

"Am I a super hero, too?"

"Pass those tools for me." Dad replies. "Then you can be a super hero."

Noah gives his dad the tools, but that doesn't make him feel like a super hero.

Noah goes to his mother. "'Mom," he asks, "Are you a super hero?"

"Yes," his mom replies. "Everyday I cook, I clean the house, I do your laundry, and take care of all of you."

Again Noah thinks that is not what superheroes do.

"Am I a super hero, too?"  Noah asks.

"Help me take out the garbage. Then you will be my super hero."

Noah helps his mom take out the garbage, but he doesn't feel like a super hero.

Noah goes to his big brother, Nigel, who is playing a video game.

"Nigel," he says, "How can I become a super hero?"

"Wash the puppy for me. That will make you a super hero."

Noah has fun bathing the puppy, but that doesn't make him feel like a super hero.

 He goes to his sister. "How can I become a super hero?"

"Clean my shoes for me," she says. "That will make you a super hero."

Noah puts more polish on himself than on the shoes. He doesn't feel like a super hero.

 After dinner, his mother gives him a chocolate bar, because he has been so helpful. He goes next door and asks his friend, "How can I become a super hero?"

His friend replies, "Give me half of your chocolate. That will make you a super hero."

Noah shares his chocolate with his friend, but he still doesn't feel like a super hero.

  Noah goes home and goes to bed. He is quite tired. He thinks of all the things he did that day. He still longs to be a super hero.

Next day, at school, he asks his teacher, "How can I become a super hero?"

"Well," Miss Robotham replies, "Are you helpful?

Noah thinks about all the things he did for his family.

"Yes," he replies.

"Are you kind?"

He had shared his chocolate bar with his friend.

"Yes." He nods.

 "Are you loving?"

He loves his family. He had given his mom an extra tight hug before leaving home that morning.

"Yes."

 "Then you are a super hero," his teacher says. "Just by being yourself, helpful, kind and loving. Those are the qualities of a super hero."

"I am a super hero? Really?" Noah smiles.

Noah goes to his desk, takes out paper and his crayons and begins to draw the costume he wants to wear to show that he is a super hero.

Conversation
Should Noah be a bit older ? 6 years instead of 5 because of the tasks he helps with?

Is the 'lesson' too obvious?