School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--5--Peggy Pancake starts the day as an ordinary flapjack, bumbling her way to school, spacing out during a career day presentation--and then suddenly, she finds herself possessed with powers previously unimagined, poised to become Super Pancake. She faces sizzling schoolhouse foes the Bacon Bullies, but soon discovers a greater threat in the dastardly Doctor Breakfast Sandwich. As Peggy begins to realize her gifts, she also forges a fast friendship with the new kid at school, Luc Croissant, who, in an unassuming fashion, becomes the perfect sidekick. Together they create a secret treehouse hideaway where Peggy tests her flying acumen and Luc fashions a superhero costume for her. As the story unfolds, the origins of her mysterious powers are revealed, Luc is kidnapped, a donut detective is called, and finally, Peggy must face down Doctor Breakfast Sandwich in his lair. This graphic novel chapter book is written as something of an origin story, and as this volume ends, Peggy and Luc seem poised to explore more mysteries, personal and fantastical. Lloyd's story, while whimsical, focuses largely on familiar childhood territory of social anxieties, self-confidence, and how a good friendship can be super-powerful. Alwar's color illustrations are full of green, purple, and gold, and in a world populated with anthropomorphic foodstuffs, the book looks just delicious enough to make your tummy rumble. VERDICT Full of friendships, food fights, and slightly ridiculous bad guys, this is a sweet, silly caper ready to be gobbled up.--Emilia Packard
Publisher's Weekly Review
An anthropomorphic pancake becomes a superhero in this madcap graphic novel series opener. Peggy Pancake feels as if she's living in her brother Patrick's shadow: she frequently oversleeps and misses the bus to Winifred Waffle Elementary School, while Patrick is always perfectly punctual. After Peggy and new student Luc Croissant anger the Bacon Bullies Jan, Dan, and Stan, the crispy trio sneak visiting scientist Dr. Egg's experimental formula into Peggy's lunch. Imbibing the Gravitational-Defying, Strength-Enhancing, Self-Defense Optimizing Elixer results in Peggy developing fantastical superpowers, which she uses to save Luc from another Bacon Bullies encounter. Encouraged by fervent idealist Luc, Peggy endeavors to protect her town from evil Dr. Breakfast Sandwich. Digital illustrations by Alwar (Hamsters Make Terrible Roommates), rendered to embody a playful crayon and colored pencil vibe, depict scrumptious comics spreads bustling with visual kitchen paraphernalia puns that elevate a slim plot overladen by message-heavy dialogue surrounding self-doubt and ethics, as when Dr. Egg lectures Peggy's class on "what is right... and what is wrong." Lloyd (Haven) develops Super Pancake's smooth moves--"Butter Smother! Syrup Swirl! Flapjack Flip!"--with an eye toward humor. Ages 7--10. Agent: Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Murphy Literary. (Feb.)
