Super Sue Books in Order

The Super Sue books are small, sturdy, interactive picture books that treat the daily life of a preschooler as something quietly heroic. Rather than battling monsters or flying dragons, Sue’s challenges are the sorts of things young children are practising all the time, getting dressed, climbing the stairs, washing, eating, and facing the first day of school.

In the original Super Sue, readers meet a little girl in a cape and boots who is absolutely convinced of her own super powers. Pull tabs and lift the flaps invite children to watch how “super” she is at slurping spaghetti, brushing her teeth, putting on socks, and tackling the bedtime routine. The jokes come from the gap between how ordinary the tasks look to adults and how big they feel when you are small. The book ends with a removable “Certificate of Superness” that turns the compliment back on the child holding the book.

Super Sue at Super School brings that same energy to the very real nerves many children feel about starting nursery or reception. At first, Sue hides behind her mum’s legs and would rather go home. As the story unfolds, she edges out to try painting, climbing the slide, sitting on the mat with the other children, and singing at circle time. Tabs and flaps mirror this inching forward, so that reading the book becomes a dress rehearsal for the first day of school.

Both titles are illustrated by Russell Ayto in a bold, slightly wonky style that matches Cowell’s bouncy, rhyming text. Faces are expressive, limbs are exaggerated, and there are small visual jokes tucked into corners for children to discover. The mechanisms are simple enough for little hands to manage, which gives young readers a sense of control as they make Sue move, climb, or shout about how super she is.

Although the books are light and playful, they tap into something important. Many picture books show superheroes saving the world. Super Sue suggests that things like learning to put on your own shoes, waving goodbye at the classroom door, or trying a new food are just as worthy of a fanfare. They reassure children that feeling shy or unsure is normal, and that courage can look like taking one small step into a room full of new faces.

For parents and carers, the series can be a gentle way to start conversations about independence. You can read about Sue being nervous and then excited, talk about what feels scary or exciting in your own child’s life, and even fill in the certificate with their particular “super” skills. Used this way, the Super Sue books become more than novelty titles, they are tools for boosting confidence before big everyday milestones.