You may need to re-read this post.

I’ve slowly been working on BartKing.net, and one of its improvements is the “Contact Me” section. Recently, I got these two charming messages . . . but they make me worry if there is a re-reading “arms race” going on!

Message 1:I just finished your Big Book of Superheroes for the third time. And, for the third time, I liked it a lot. I am just writing to ask a question and praise you on your writing. First of all, I was just wondering how long it took you to write this book. It looks like you had to do a lot of investigation for it. Second of all, I love your writing! I like the humor you put into your stories. It brightens life.
Hope to hear back from you soon! Message 2:Just wanted to let you know that the Big Book of Spy Stuff is the best book I have ever read, and I read a ton of books. I have read it 15 times (still counting) it is even starting to fall apart. I found it very informational, and funny.
Excellent writing,from [name redacted]Age 12

"How Not to Trash Talk"—with Captain America

But wait, Cap! If only ONE of you is going to walk out of there, and it ISN'T you, doesn't that mean you're going to lose the fight?

Super Readers weigh in on THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES

Thanks, Jennifer S.!

"…and as the Author Speed-Signing Championships begins, King quickly falls behind!"

This weekend, I had the chance to take part in the Community Partners for Affordable Housing's fundraiser here in Portland. (Photo by the talented writer and publisher, Laura Stanfill!)

And so the ambush is laid...

My daughter has been reading @BartKing's Big Book of Superheroes, can you tell? She's setting a trap... pic.twitter.com/zd8HCuzxrx
— Laura Stanfill (@ForestAvePress) April 3, 2015

In the unlikely event you don't have The Big Book of Superheroes, here's the "activity":

If you’re being chased by someone taller than you, here’s the greatest ambush of all time. To set it up, think about your escape route. See, you’re going to taunt your enemy, and then flee with your foe hot on your heels. And there needs to be a doorway that you’re going to run through. It’s best if this doorway isn’t at the end of a long hall. (You don’t want your opponent to get a good look at it while running towards it.) 

 First, get some packing tape (which is clear, wide, and strong). Ha ha! Stretch the packing tape across the doorway just above where the top of your head is. Anchor it securely at both ends. 

 Now, go taunt your enemy. Maybe you’ll say something clever (“You stink!”), or do something harmless but impish (ear flick!). You have to be annoying enough that your enemy chases you. Once that’s done, run fast and head for that doorway. You’ll pass below the tape harmlessly. But your pursuer won’t be so lucky!

Multiple Choice Question

This photo was taken at a pre-school. It proves that...

a. kids today are smarter than ever before. 

b. this preschool is unlicensed. 

c. I have no idea of who's reading my books!

Photo by Mark Remy. 

Black always makes for a sty-lish costume!

Via Twisted Doodles.

Why will this pig never be bullied? Because Batman has sworn to protect goth ham.

This is why Spider-Man hates grocery shopping

Bonus SUPERHEROES quiz!

Writing something like The Big Book of Superheroes means taking notes. Lots of notes! And I just looked over them and saw I had plenty left over for this bonus superheroes quiz!

1. True or False: Batman buried his butler, Alfred, alive.

2. Newspaper publisher J. Jonah Jameson sure hated Spider-Man! One reason for this was because…

a. he hated spiders
b. Jameson’s son, John Jonah III, was an astronaut about to be launched into space—and Spider-Man was stealing all of his attention.
c. No, seriously—spiders really creeped him out!

3. In real life, this man was named Terrence Cotta. But as a supervillain, he was called…

a. Brickface
b. Welcome Back Cotta
c. The Mason

4. True or False: The Fantastic Four has always included the same four superheroes.

5. This superhero surprised readers by shooting and killing a criminal in the very first issue of his own comic book.

a. Bullet Man
b. Batman
c. The Flash

6. The first superhero to swing from place to place on spider webbing that shot from the wrists was...

a. Spider-Man
b. Boris the Spider
c. the Spider Queen

7. The weird thing about the original “Human Torch” is that he...

a. wasn’t human at all
b. burned everything he touched.
c. was easy to find when playing hide-and-seek. (“You’re getting warmer…warmer…uh oh! Does anyone know where the fire extinguisher is?”)

8. Comic writer Daniel Clowes wanted his teenaged character, Andy, to get super-powers in an unusual way. So after Andy…

a. skipped showering, he became super-popular
b. smoked a cigarette, he got super-strength
c. wore a turtleneck, he became invisible   

9. (Short answer) When young Billy Batson says “SHAZAM!” he turns into the mighty Captain Marvel. This superhero is as strong as Superman—and he doesn’t fear kryptonite! Now pretend you’re a supervillain and think of a good way to stop Captain Marvel that doesn’t involve bananas.

Answers below!

Book review from Washington Parent Magazine!

Well, that brightened my Monday! 

Want to win a free copy of THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES?

Then just head over to the Kidliterati site. At the bottom of its review for Superheroes is a spot where you can enter the contest for the book!

Oh, and speaking of the review, here's an excerpt:

I knew this book would be perfect for my kids, [so] I left THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES on the kitchen table. 

“What's this, mom?” my son said when he came home. 

I shrugged. “Oh, I thought you might like that.” 

“Hmph,” he said thumbing through the book. 

A half hour later he was still sitting there reading, an occasional giggle or snort escaping from his throat. 

Until his brother snatched it away. 

The book kept my sons entertained for days. 

I might be a mom, but I love superheroes as much as my kids, and I loved this book as much as they did . . . Trust me on this one. THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES is a fun, lighthearted read for superhero loving kids (or their parents).

Toronto has great libraries.

Just ask children's librarian Scott Robins!

Want a free copy of THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES?

Probably not! But just in case, head over to the My Brain on Books website. Ooh, it even has an interview. Ooh.

Anyway, just enter a comment after the post, and you're in the running. (Or should that be "flying"?) Good luck! 

Update: You may need a Google account to do this.

Who is this mysterious masked hero?

All I know is that he lives somewhere in North Carolina. 

(Thanks, Chris M.!)

There are TWO places you can win a free copy of SUPERHEROES!

Just go to either (or both) of these sites to enter. It's easy!

1. Ms. Yingling Reads 

2. Smack Dab in the Middle 

That's Ms. Yingling's dog, Sylvie. She's studying up on flying!

Who wants a free copy of THE BIG BOOK OF SUPERHEROES?

You? Okay, if you insist. 

Just head over to the lovely blog known as From the Mixed Up Files and leave a comment!

It can even be a really short one, like "Why would I want this lousy book?" or "I like turtles!"

SUPERHEROES is "funny and useful"!

There's a new review at the Florida Times-Union for The Big Book of Superheroes. It reads, in part:

... the back cover of The Big Book of Super Heroes promises to teach readers how to defend themselves against pre-school villains, invent a satisfactory battle cry and decorate secret lairs. Heady stuff, this. 

Fans expect nothing less of author Bart King, who created Big Books about spy stuff, gross stuff, girl stuff, mischief and magic — to name a few. King’s ... sense of everything silly and sublime remains intact...

As usual, it is King’s breadth that impresses ... [and makes] this book funny and useful.

Brandy Allport, May 22, 2014 

A review of "The Big Book of Superheroes" from School Library Journal? Yes, please.

“The Big Book of Superheroes offers a tongue-in-cheek guide to adventure and all things heroic. King mixes superhero lore with tips on how to be a superhero ... This highly browsable book [has] entertaining black-and-white comics peppered throughout. This is ... an excellent addition to library and classroom collections.” 

—School Library Journal

Awesome. Did you see that? The book's "highly browsable" and an "excellent addition to library and classroom collections"! See the complete review below the break.