From the bestselling nonfiction picture book duo of bestselling author-illustrator duo of Brad Meltzer and Christopher Eliopoulos of Ordinary People Change the World and Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum comes a new picture book series celebrating fictional heroes in Stories Change the World!
This Fall, the Ordinary People Change the World series expands with the all-new series Stories Change the World series retelling beloved, iconic fictional tales of heroism, providing a lively and fun first version of the myth and why it’s inspirational, and serving as a fantastic stepping stone to get young readers interested in nonfiction biographies.
Stories Change the World will kick off with I AM BATMAN and I AM SUPERMAN, to release in September 2022, with I AM WONDER WOMAN to publish in 2023.
Stories Change the World is a companion to the bestselling Ordinary People Change the World series, which has more than five million books in print. This new picture book series is an adventurous and fun “biography” introduction to the fictional characters who have sparked the imaginations of generations of kids.
The idea for the series was born out of New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer’s love of history and desire to give his own children real heroes to look up to and emulate, and Christopher Eliopoulos’ art is iconic and memorable.
I AM BATMAN, young readers will be introduced to Bruce Wayne and his rise to becoming Batman. After losing his parents at a young age, Bruce Wayne dedicates his life to cleaning up the streets of Gotham. Even without traditional superpowers, his perseverance and commitment to justice carry him through battles against villains.
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From his beginnings on his birth planet Krypton to his childhood on Earth, I AM SUPERMAN focuses on the ways Clark Kent was super because of his actions, not just his powers. For almost 80 years, the story of Clark Kent has been told by thousands of creators and this picture book biography is the perfect way to introduce the young readers to this legendary superhero.
In a press release from Penguin, Brad Meltzer said about the new series:
“My life was changed by Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. They’re part of the American mythology – and like Abraham Lincoln, Amelia Earhart, or any other hero we’ve featured, their stories persist because they reveal something about us. This new line of books lets us feature the characters and creators, reminding kids about the true power of imagination.”
Artist Christopher Eliopoulos added,
“As a little kid, the first comic I ever bought was the Flash, then The Justice League and Batman. I’ve grown up loving the DC superheroes! To finally get a chance to draw all of these heroes is something I wish I could go back in time and tell myself. I’d tell him that we get to tell the stories of the character and values of those heroes. He wouldn’t believe it. I still can’t believe it!”
Lauri Hornik, President and Publisher, Dial Books for Young Readers, praised the duo saying:
“We’ve seen this unique, peppy style of biography storytelling grab the imaginations of so many young kids and provide nourishing role models for them. And so it’s a joy to now be working with Brad and Chris on these fictional offshoots that also focus on values and virtues as the reasons why characters such as DC Comics’s superheroes are so beloved. We hope we’re helping to inspire the next generation of real-life superheroes through these books!”
I AM BATMAN
- Written by Brad Meltzer
- Illustrated by Chris Eliopoulos
- Out from Dial Books for Young Readers 9/27/2022
- Hardcover ? $16.99
I AM SUPERMAN
- Written by Brad Meltzer
- Illustrated by Chris Eliopoulos
- Out from Dial Books for Young Readers 9/27/2022
- Hardcover ? $16.99
Don’t miss these first books from the new Stories Change the World out on September 27, 2022 Dial Books for Young Readers and Penguin Young Readers.