I had the distinct pleasure of winning a copy of today’s Perfect Picture Book in a giveaway on Picture Book Builders. I’m thrilled to share it with my grandkids and you!
Title: Horned Toad has a Superpower
Written By: Jill Esbaum
Illustrated By: Bob Shea
Publisher/Date: G.P. Putnam’s Sons/2026
Suitable for Ages: 5-8
Themes/Topics: nonfiction, humor, horned toads, burrowing owls, nature, all-dialogue, Texas, desert
Opening:
Howdy, y’all! I’m a horned toad. Somebody gave me that name a long time ago. ‘Cept they messed up. I’m actually a lizard.
Here’s something surprising: I have a SUPERPOWER.
Brief Synopsis: A horned toad tells a young burrowing owl about his superpower.
Links to Resources:
· Check out the True & False facts in the back matter;
· Learn more about the flora and fauna of deserts;
· Make your own Horned Toad.
Why I Like this Book:
In her newest humor-filled, all-dialogue picture book in the superpower series, Esbaum introduces us to a horned toad who has a gross but cool superpower. As he chats with a burrowing owlet, the horned toad reveals that he’s actually a lizard, not a toad; what a superpower is, “something cool I can do”; why he lives in the desert; his favorite foods; and how he evades and protects himself from predators.
Fast-paced with plenty in the dialogue and colorful illustrations to keep even the youngest readers’ attention, Horned Toad has a Superpower is a great way for young readers to learn about this fascinating creature. Because the horned toad converses with a burrowing owl, readers also learn about these little-known creatures. And as the tension builds and we anxiously await the reveal of the horned toad’s superpower, we learn that horned toads can’t pretend to be scared and use that superpower. They actually must be scared. And who or what can scare them? I won’t spoil the ending, but burrowing owls might have a superpower, too.
To spur kids’ interest in nature and encourage them to protect threatened species, I highly recommend Horned Toad has a Superpower and the other titles in the series.
A Note about Craft:
Quirky characters with unusual survival methods plus humorous dialogue equals a winning combination to capture kids’ attentions. Addressing readers directly a few times helps engage them even more. Esbaum does these things and more in Horned Toad has a Superpower and the rest of the Superpower picture book series.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 