Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville cover image

Ages: 4 to 8; Grades: Preschool
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville is one of six book released by HarperFestival, a division of HarperCollins Children’s Books.  These books tie into the new Superman movie, Man of Steel.  They are aimed at young readers – kindergarten and early elementary.  That might be why I didn’t know about them until I received a large envelope from HarperCollins last week.  Inside were the six kid-oriented books of varying size.

Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville is an 8” x 8”, 24-page, paperback children’s book.  Part storybook and part picture book, Superman Saves Smallville transforms scenes from Man of Steel into children’s storybook form.  First, the book adapts the sequences in the movie that deal with Kal-El’s birth and subsequent trip to Earth.  Then, it depicts his adoption by Jonathan and Martha Kent, who name him Clark Kent.  We follow Kent’s youth and his discovery of his legacy and destiny.

The second half of Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville focuses on General Zod.  The story moves to the arrival of General Zod and his forces and their assault on Smallville, Kansas.  At that point, the story focuses on the long battle between Superman and Zod.  It ends with a happy resolution.

Once again, I will assume that HarperCollins sent Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville to me not so much to review it, as to just let people know that this book exists.  Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville is basically a children’s book version of the segments of the Man of Steel film that are related by themes or subplots.

I think a young reader who was confused by the sound and fury of the over-produced Man of Steel film, can relate to the story via Superman Saves Smallville.  If he or even she likes the movie, Superman Saves Smallville is a way to relive the Smallville portions of the movie.

Man of Steel: Superman Saves Smallville is a good companion to the movie, Man of Steel, and I like anything that will introduce Superman to young readers.