Supertato by Sue Hendra & Paul Linnet: Book-Based Activities & Printables

 

Who says superheroes have to wear capes?

Sometimes the bravest hero in town is... a potato.

Supertato by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet is one of those wonderfully silly picture books that children instantly fall in love with. Set inside a busy supermarket, the story transforms ordinary vegetables into unforgettable characters, complete with daring rescues, laugh-out-loud adventures, and one very mischievous villain—the Evil Pea.

Beneath the humor is a story about kindness, courage, teamwork, and standing up for others. Its playful language, expressive illustrations, and action-packed plot make it an irresistible read-aloud that inspires dramatic play, storytelling, and imaginative learning.

Whether you're exploring healthy foods, superheroes, character traits, or simply looking for a book that keeps everyone laughing, Supertato is packed with opportunities for meaningful, book-based learning.

What Is Supertato About?

Everything seems peaceful in the supermarket.

The vegetables are happily going about their day until disaster strikes.

The Evil Pea appears.

He causes chaos throughout the store, playing tricks on everyone and creating one hilarious problem after another.

Just when the vegetables think all hope is lost, a frozen potato transforms into the one hero everyone needs.

Supertato arrives to save the day.

Using quick thinking, bravery, and a little help from his vegetable friends, he works to stop the Evil Pea before another prank gets out of control.

Filled with action, humor, and plenty of unexpected twists, the story celebrates the idea that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

Why Children Love This Story

Children naturally enjoy pretending that everyday objects come to life.

A carrot becomes a firefighter.

A banana becomes a pirate.

A potato becomes a superhero.

Supertato embraces that playful imagination from the very first page.

The supermarket setting feels familiar, but the lively vegetables make it wonderfully unexpected. Children quickly become invested in the adventure, cheering for Supertato while laughing at the Evil Pea's outrageous tricks.

The fast-moving story, expressive illustrations, and comic-style action make it a favorite for repeated readings.

Every time children revisit the story, they discover another funny detail hidden in the illustrations.

Heroes Come in Every Shape

One of the reasons Supertato is so popular is that it reminds children that being a hero isn't about being the biggest or strongest.

Real heroes help others.

They solve problems.

They stay calm during difficult situations.

They use kindness and courage to make the world a better place.

After reading together, invite children to think about everyday heroes they know.

Perhaps it's a teacher.

A crossing guard.

A parent.

A nurse.

Or a friend who helps someone on the playground.

These conversations help children understand that heroism is something we can all practice every day.

If you'd like to continue the adventure after storytime, these playful activities fit perfectly with the spirit of the book.

Try These Book-Based Activities

• Create Your Own Vegetable Superhero. Invite children to choose a fruit or vegetable and transform it into a superhero. What special powers would Broccoli Girl have? Could Captain Carrot fly? Would Mighty Mushroom save the forest? Encourage children to draw their hero and tell its story.

• Build a Supermarket Small World. Use empty food boxes, baskets, pretend fruits and vegetables, shopping carts, and toy figures to create a supermarket where children can retell the story or invent brand-new adventures featuring the Evil Pea.

• Design a Superhero Cape. Provide paper, fabric scraps, stickers, and crayons so children can create a cape or shield for Supertato—or invent their own superhero costume complete with an emblem and special powers.

• Rescue Mission Obstacle Course. Set up simple challenges where children crawl under tables, balance across masking tape "bridges," carry vegetables to safety, or rescue toy characters from the Evil Pea. This playful activity supports gross motor development while encouraging teamwork.

• Open a Healthy Hero Café. Create a pretend café or grocery store where children prepare healthy meals using fruits and vegetables. Talk about how nutritious foods help our bodies stay strong and energetic.

These playful invitations strengthen creativity, storytelling, problem-solving, collaboration, and imaginative play while connecting naturally to the story.

Imagination Turns the Ordinary into Extraordinary

One of Sue Hendra's greatest strengths is her ability to transform familiar places into exciting worlds.

After reading Supertato, children begin wondering what might happen when the supermarket closes for the night.

Do the vegetables throw parties?

Does the Evil Pea return for another prank?

Are there other superhero foods waiting in the freezer?

Books like this encourage children to see endless storytelling possibilities hidden inside everyday experiences.

That's exactly where creative writing often begins.

Looking Closely at the Illustrations

The bright, energetic illustrations are filled with personality.

Every fruit and vegetable has expressive facial features, dramatic poses, and humorous reactions that add another layer to the story.

Encourage children to become illustration detectives.

Can they spot the Evil Pea before turning the page?

Which vegetable looks the funniest?

How do the illustrations show when characters are frightened, excited, or relieved?

These observations strengthen visual literacy while making rereading even more enjoyable.

Growing Language Through Dramatic Play

Supertato naturally inspires storytelling.

Children love acting out chase scenes, inventing superhero voices, and creating new adventures for the characters.

After reading, encourage them to imagine:

"What prank will the Evil Pea play next?"

"Who could become the next supermarket superhero?"

"What other foods might need rescuing?"

These conversations strengthen sequencing, vocabulary, oral language, and creative thinking while giving children confidence to become storytellers themselves.

Extending the Learning with a Book Companion

Some books make children laugh.

Others encourage wonderful imaginative play.

Supertato does both.

My Supertato Book Companion extends the adventure through literacy activities, sequencing, comprehension, vocabulary, character analysis, writing prompts, dramatic play, STEM challenges, healthy eating connections, and creative projects that encourage children to revisit the story while strengthening early literacy and problem-solving skills.

Because sometimes the smallest heroes inspire the biggest adventures.

Final Thoughts

With its hilarious characters, fast-paced storytelling, and unforgettable superhero potato, Supertato has become a modern favorite in classrooms, libraries, and homes around the world.

Children laugh at the Evil Pea's tricks, cheer for Supertato's rescues, and quickly discover that courage, kindness, and teamwork are true superpowers.

Long after the story ends, they're inventing new vegetable heroes, creating supermarket adventures, and imagining what happens after the lights go out.

Perhaps that's the secret behind Supertato.

It's more than a funny story about vegetables.

It's a celebration of imagination, friendship, and the everyday heroes who make the world a better place.