Things aren’t exactly going well for Batpig. He’s strapped to a rocket that’s headed for the sun. If he can’t break free he is going to fry! This is the thrilling opening scene where we first meet our hero. Gary was a normal sandwich-eating, apartment-dwelling city pig until his friend Brooklyn, a bat, bit him on the nose during a game of cards. Suddenly Gary has powers: super strength! Levitation! Telekinesis! With a cape, a superhero name and a couple of flying lessons, Gary’s origin story is complete. Naturally our hero comes up against some baddies, so enter a giant lizard and a mad butcher (extra scary for pigs). Friendship is the real hero of this book though; no pig is an island, and Gary learns he is lucky to have friends he can call on, even Carl, a loudmouth fish who stays damp by spending time in toilet bowls.

Split into three easily digestible adventure stories, Batpig is hilarious and heartwarming. Luckily it’s also the first in a series with the second book coming in 2022. Highly recommended for ages 7 to 11.

Kim Gruschow is a bookseller at Readings St Kilda.