SuperQuesters: The Case of the Stolen Sun

Super Questers: The Case of the Stolen Sun tasks children with solving a range of problems, using STEM skills. This means they have to use logic and a variety of maths, science and technology approaches. The book itself is high quality, A4-sized and thick cardboard covers. The characters are engaging and the illustrations are lovely, so this will immediately appeal to children.

The text is challenging and will need adult help for children under seven and the tasks will certainly need an adult to help and guide. This is where the concept falls down, though; the challenges involve putting stickers on the page to show how the child has solved the quest but some of the instructions in the text are unclear and leave it open to interpretation - I had to check the answers at the back to see if I'd solved the direction puzzles correctly.  I was also troubled by a book that is so science-focused ending with the very questionable 'a sunbeam shot down from the sky and lit the fire in the hot air balloon's belly...'.

Whilst technically it might be possible to ignite hot air balloon gas with a VERY focussed and magnified beam of sunlight, it seems very implausible to suggest this as a method of ignition. If you are presenting these books as a promotion of science and technology then I would expect them to be factually accurate in all aspects of the story.

Whilst I really like the concept of these books, I think some children would complete it once and never look at it again. They would work well in a classroom as part of a supported unit of work, but this means the variety of tasks would need to be improved. However, if you want an appealing looking book with stickers to keep your bright seven or eight year old occupied for a couple of hours on a rainy afternoon, then this will be perfect. 

Reviewed by Wendy Kelly, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+