Meet John Dough, Superhero: A Political Fantasy

by Lucy Bell Wait Jarka-Sellers

As Alida mixes bread dough in her small kitchen, she listens to the radio with incredulity. The Trump administration has just come to power in Washington, and America's most fundamental values and traditions are in danger. Her dog Buddy--a policy wonk--is equally outraged. If Congress is unwilling to act, who will protect American democracy? The answer lies in Alida's mixing bowl, for she is making sourdough bread, and the yeast (collected from the air in her Philadelphia kitchen) turns out to be extraordinary. Meet John Dough, superhero, and learn how he comes to the aid of a troubled and divided nation. The action unfolds in Philadelphia PA, Iowa, Washington D.C., and the Land of the Plant People, where the inhabitants are proud to live "Free from the Bonds of Reason." Pennsylvania history both inspires and horrifies our hero John, who is educated by the well-read Alida, her politically savvy dog, and a sympathetic and scholarly pigeon at Thirtieth Street Station. Thirty-six illustrations range from touching to darkly satirical. This is a funny book about important ideas. Readers will laugh aloud, cry, and adjust their ideas about American history.

Genres: Fantasy

188 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2017

Reviews

[Myra Leysorek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. Comic, many references to Philadelphia, a fantasy that solves our political problems with a superhero to the rescue.

[Althea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved this book, so wise and cheerful and creative. I am getting copies for my friends. Very nice drawings, too!

[Graham Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had the pleasure and honor of being taught Latin by Lucy Bell Jarka Sellers in high school and I now have the joy of reading her political fantasy book "Meet John Dough". I read it one POTUS Administration after the one it was written during/about so it felt a little dated although given the continued political atmosphere the previous administration generated it perhaps is still relevant. If anything the dream-like resolution John Dough brought about in the book is immensely preferable to the resolution we got/are dealing with. So the political fantasy of the book is pleasurable and has a slight Ronald Dahl /Dr Seuss feel to it (minus the adult language of course). As a Philadelphia resident and someone who studied at several Quaker institutions, the book felt relevant in other ways too.

"Meet John Dough" is certainly a unique book and it is well worth taking the time  to be introduced to John Dough.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the goodreads giveaway program.

This is an interesting book with great illustrations.
Unfortunately, it is fiction based on fact.
The fact that it is a commentary on our current political situation is depressing and sad.

How long will it continue? Who can tell. At least until the current Republican party continues to cower in fear and let 'the president' run amok!

If you have a fear for the future of our country, you may want to read this and become involved with the American political process.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of adjectives that I would apply to this book ... quirky, innovative, funny, informative, thought-provoking, puzzling ... and, I would add, more than a bit controversial. A short and easy read that is a nice addition to today's political literature.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads give away and I really enjoyed reading it. It was not what I was expecting but still a fun read. This seemed liked a great book to give young adults who may be interested in a politics while still keeping an open mind. I have recommended this to several people already and plan to keep doing so. Bravo!

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where is John Doe when you need him? He should fly Trump to Porta Rico and leave him there without power for 1 year. The story was very clever and poignant as well. It seems so true it takes some of the fun out of it. I really got a kick out of reading it.

[jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It has a sweet spirit and an endearing protagonist in John Dough as it addresses the touchy subject of politics in a sort of fabulist world in the grip of threatening national personalities and policies.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author of this book has quite an imagination/ However I had trouble reading it because it was so political.

[Lori Byrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever book with very cute pictures in it. It was a well written book. A lot of political content.

[Eric E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and am savoring every chapter. It's full of whimsy and old-fashioned soundness, clear prose and singing verse, and delightful illustrations, all of which come together in a just-right balance that stands it in the company of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Persepolis. It's both balm and call to action, and always feels fresh and light on its feet. I'll be sad to finish it. Fortunately, I'm a slow reader!

Having finished the book, now, the book only gets better as you go. In addition to being funny and informative, it occasionally surprises with a poignant twist. The mysteries of dough...

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

Very timely book. Sometimes the world needs a superhero...and John Dough comes alive at just the right time. Philadelphia has some super yeast that creates John Dough in Alida's kitchen (and bathtub). Fun read.