A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything – The Female Superhero Created by Women Fighting for Gender Equality for Children

by Kirsten W. Larson, Katy Wu (Illustrator)

A behind-the-scenes look at the creation and evolution of Wonder Woman, the iconic character who has inspired generations of girls and women as a symbol of female strength and power.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Superheroes, History, Childrens, Feminism, Comics

40 pages, Hardcover

Published September 28, 2021

About the author

Author of WOOD, WIRE, WINGS: EMMA LILIAN TODD INVENTS AN AIRPLANE illustrated by Tracy Subisak (Calkins Creek, 2020), A TRUE WONDER: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything (Clarion, 2021), and THE FIRE OF STARS: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of, illustrated by Katherine Roy (Chronicle, 2022), THE LIGHT OF RESISTANCE, illustrated by Barbara McClinktock (Roaring Brook, 2023), as well as more than two dozen nonfiction books for young people. Represented by Lara Perkins of Andrea Brown Literary.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice first book on WW. Traces the role WW has had on popular culture and how her changing character reflects the role women were expected to adhere to over the decades. Brief bios of people who created/shaped WW are also included. The illustrations are bold and vibrant adding to this well researched addition to the WW mythos.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read insider look at the origin story of Wonder Woman. I recommend this for any younger reader that’s interested in the history of comics.

[Rajani LaRocca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow! A nonfiction history of Wonder Woman, meticulously researched, that reads and looks like a superhero origin story! I'm so impressed by Kirsten Larson's craft in making this book exciting and suspenseful while presenting the facts. And Katy Wu's comic book style art is perfection! But more than anything, this book is inspiring to young and old, girls and boys alike. We all need to find our inner Wonder Woman and strive to make the world a better place.

[Joana Pastro · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! This book is amazing. An engaging, fast-paced read that tells the story of how Wonder Woman came to be and her influence on the women’s movement and feminism. The vibrant colors and comic book style illustrations by Katy Wu perfectly complement the text. A true wonder! A must read!

[Luz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book on the DAWCL website under the "Nonfiction" category. It was published in 2021 and has received honorable mentions from Kirkus Reviews, Booklist Starred Reviews, and Booklist's 2021 Editors' Choice: Books for Youth.

The narrative in this book follows Wonder Woman's journey through the decades, highlighting how her character and adventures mirrored the changing role of women in American society—from a dynamic figure during WWII who captured enemy soldiers, to a more constrained character in the 1950s who was focused on fashion and marriage, and finally, her revival as a feminist icon in the 1970s. The book highlights the contributions of numerous women who have shaped the hero, including early co-writer Joye Hummel and modern director Patty Jenkins, underscoring that the character remains an enduring symbol of female strength and the ongoing fight for equality.

The book employs a fast-paced, engaging narrative nonfiction structure that reads like an exciting origin story. It effectively uses quotes, biographical text boxes, and historical context to layer information. The back matter includes an Author's Note and a generous list of resources for further reading, supporting its nonfiction foundation. The illustrator uses a vibrant, retro comic-book style complete with panels, speech bubbles, sound effects, and dynamic layouts. This aesthetic choice directly connects the book's visual appearance and tone to its subject matter.

An activity I would suggest is using the book to create a visual timeline that connects Wonder Woman's character changes with major events in US women's history. The book highlights women like Joye Hummel and Patty Jenkins. You can also have students research other "behind-the-scenes" women in traditionally male-dominated industries and discuss their impact. Another great activity for older grades is to discuss the key elements of the book's layout, including panels, speech bubbles, thought bubbles, and captions. Have students choose a specific historical event and depict it using the comic book format, using sound effects and visual storytelling to convey emotion and action.

[Melanie Ellsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This book does a superhero job of making the history of Wonder Woman entertaining and totally engaging. It’s so much fun to read, with its vivid colors and comic-book layout, that even kids who don’t normally choose a nonfiction book are going to dive right in with glee. There is so much for both kids and adults to learn and enjoy as they read – historical details about the changing scene for women in the U.S. from the 40s to the 70s, information about the world of publishing, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the many women involved in the creation of the Wonder Woman comics. The illustrations and arrangement of the text have old-school comic appeal while also incorporating a brighter, more inclusive, modern look. I was not a huge reader of comics as a child, but this book hooked me, and it’s easy to imagine it inspiring a whole new generation of Wonder Woman fans to reach towards their own superhero goals!

[Kelli Panique · Rating 5 out of 5]

I learned so much from this book and it made me love Wonder Women even more. I loved learning about the care with which she was created and how her legacy was picked up again when we needed her most. The comic book style of the illustrations were really engaging and added another layer of dimension to the story.

[Jeimy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive picture book that does justice to the myriad of people—many of them women—that helped bring Wonder Woman (in her many iterations) to life.

[M.O. Yuksel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like many, I grew up watching Wonder Woman, who was one of the few, if not only, female superheroes of her time. Kirsten Larson does a wonderful job of telling an engaging story about how Wonder Woman came to be and takes us through the historical times and events like the women’s movement that influenced its longevity. The lively and colorful comic book style illustrations and inspiring story will draw readers in for many years to come. A must read!

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is A TRUE WONDER! So much more than a comic book superhero’s origin story. It also depicts women’s fight for equality and Wonder Woman’s role in that ongoing battle. The art is truly amazing.

[Mindy Alyse Weiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow—I had no idea how much Wonder Woman had to fight to stay around, to keep her lasso and powers…and especially to keep empowering girls so they grow up knowing they can be anything they want.

This is packed with fascinating facts! I love how it shows kids what women can do…starting at a time when people didn’t think the world would be interested in a woman superhero. I’m so glad they were wrong!

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I think about Wonder Woman, my earliest memories are the Lynda Carter television version and the underoos (which do make an appearance in the backmatter, love it). This book delves into her debut and how she has stood for female-power over the decades.

[Keila Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderfully told and illustrated book. I remember watching Lynda Carter bring the character of Wonder Woman to life on television. The character was an empowering role model for girls. Author Kirsten Larson’s A TRUE WONDER tells the story behind the story and takes readers into the lives, the times, and events like the women’s movement that influenced its creation and production. The comic-like illustrations are perfectly executed throughout. On a podcast, Kirsten Larson shared what her book is about, “… the challenge of finding the hero inside of yourself...”

This book is a great addition to any home, classroom, school, or public library collection.

[Carrie Finison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up watching Wonder Woman both in the live action series with Lynda Carter, and on Saturday morning cartoons as part of the Super Friends (anyone remember that one?) I adored this history of Wonder Woman and the unusual women and men who contributed her development across the decades. I love that the writing style imitated the captions and speech bubbles of a comic strip, and the illustrations truly packed a punch. Mostly, I loved finding out more about this character who has grown to be symbolically important to girls and women everywhere.

[Julie Rowan-Zoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and fresh take with old-fashioned comic book appeal, packed with bright, energetic illustrations and interesting historical facts and publishing information about the Wonder Woman comics. A terrific introduction for kids to women's struggle for equality, and will surely be difficult to keep on the shelf in a school library!

[Julie Hedlund · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the risk of being too on the nose, the REAL true wonder is this book! Meticulously researched, fascinating story with different layers behind the story of Wonder Woman, gorgeous comic-like illustrations, and all spiked with messages of girl power and feminism, A True Wonder is a MUST Read.

[NoNieqa Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Booklist Best Nonfiction Picture Books 2021 selection and a Politics and Prose Best Nonfiction Picture Books Selection, a TRUE WONDER is a meticulously researched page turner. The comic book format with panels, speech bubbles, biographical text boxes, captions, and sound effects, retro illustrations by Katy Wu, and the enthralling writing style will have fans of Wonder Woman and children new to the subject riveted from beginning to back matter. Larson illuminates the contributions of women to Wonder Woman, comic book history, and America’s workforce. The accessible engaging text invites children to be critical thinkers and creates a living history where they can continue Wonder Woman’s legacy by being heroes of their own stories. Katy Wu does a marvelous job with inclusivity, pointing out the hegemony of white men and depicting the marginalized, while Kristen discusses the need to uplift marginalized women in the comic book industry and in the world. A empowering must-read for every household and classroom!

[Candy Wellins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of people love superheroes. I just happen to not be one of them. (Not only have I never seen an Avengers movie, I can’t even name a single Avenger! )

That being said, A TRUE WONDER might seem like a book I wouldn’t like or connect to at all. But I really love it.

The book is a biography of Wonder Woman—someone I knew virtually nothing about before reading (because I also skipped those movies 😆). I learned she was created as an alternative to violent, male-dominated superheroes, yet parents still protested her arrival (that outfit!).

Wonder Woman helped capture WWII bad guys, practiced medicine and fought for equal rights in the 1940s before being relegated to focusing on fashion and boyfriends in the 1950s. In the 1960s and 70s, she regained her independence and even landed her own hit TV show.

A biography works when its story and message are universal. I may not be a superhero fan, but I loved this story (which is really the story of American women in the 20th century and beyond).

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very nice picture book on Wonder Woman. Skips over the true shady parts of the creators’ lives and makes a nice story. Kids will love it. I thought it was amusing that the book lambasts when Wonder Woman lost her powers in the 1970s and lived as Diana Prince. As a kid, Wonder Woman lacked human emotions and was very stiff. The time period when she was just Diana Prince made her into a human character. I still have a comic of Wonder Woman where she and Cat Woman are fighting swinging on ropes with swords over volcanic fire. She’s Diana Prince in the comic and I loved it. When she went back to Wonder Woman I stopped reading the comic. But anyway, nice picture book.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children's pictue book nonfiction. I am a casual Wonder Woman fan so was intrigued when I saw this story of how the character came to be. This traces her origin in the 1940s, change in characterization after WWII, revitalization with the new Ms. magazine in the 70s, and enduring legacy. It also discusses many of the people involved including Dr. Lauretta Bender, a child psychiatrist that signed off on every issue of the original comic. A very interesting read for fans of pop culture, superheroes, or feminism. I enjoyed the graphic novel styling and can see this doing well in a graphic novel nonfiction collection.

[Elisa Boxer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A TRUE WONDER OF A BOOK! As a long-time Wonder Woman fan, I really enjoyed learning not only the story behind the story, but also learning about all the women involved in creating this superhero icon. In a world that could use more real-life superheroes, one of my favorite aspects of this book is the gentle yet powerful reminder, especially at the end, that we all have the ability to make a meaningful difference. Kirsten Larson's engaging text and Katy Wu's comic-style illustrations will keep even the most reluctant reader wanting to find out what happens next. This is A TRUE WONDER of a book, that packs an educational and inspirational punch!

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like a comic with this artwork by Katy Wu alongside the research history of the character by Kirsten W. Larson. I was smitten from the start! I loved Wonder Woman, but as a child did not associate her affect on women's rights as well as well as how she changed the way people saw women. (Very helpful before the war as during the war women were needed to keep so much running.) This book will be loved by my students and allow for great conversations with their families about how Wonder Woman, a comic and TV character, affected so many. I am so impressed with the backmatter in this book. I love opportunities to discuss back matter and author/illustrator notes!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough examination of the the comic hero WONDER WOMAN with thumbnail profiles of each of the actual folks who contributed to the creation and success of this iconic superhero. The scope of many decades involves many of these thumbnail spotlights, during which the idea for WW emerged, was executed and embraced by the comic-reading public, and then traveled a trouble course of diminishment, disinterest, and eventual recovery. The comic-illustration style and formatting suits it well and will add to the adventuresome experience of discovery of Wonder Woman's history.

[Isabella Kung · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a dazzling and captivating non-fiction picture book about how the Comic Book Her0, Wonder Women, fought her way to publishing and the big screen in a male-dominated world. Her story uplifts and empowers girls and women everywhere. Now the mention, the dynamic and stunning illustration!s The illustrator used many graphic novel elements in this picture book and this format is very fitting. Loved it from front to back. The author clearly did her research and consolidated all of the beloved character's journeys in a simple and digestible manner, perfect for young readers. Highly recommended.

[Kaity · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Feminist garbage. This author (white lady) starts the book off by telling us that the comic book industry was run by white men (white men, white man, another white man) (also they all had evil, mischievous looks on their faces) then processed to tell the story of how a different white man wrote the Wonder Woman comics? Then when the good white man dies and the wife has to take over the comics, they stop selling as well and she has to sadly start prioritizing her home and kids, all while making her look very sad and distressed while she cooks and knits 😂 also "women's rights" all over the place and a non binary LGBTQ person wearing a rainbow trans flag thing. Just ridiculous. My daughter brought this home from school. I threw it in the trash.

[Carrie Karnes Fannin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from cover to cover! Wonder Woman was a big part of my childhood and it was very cool to read more of the backstory behind not just her creation, but also her rescue. (I won't give any more details on that so as not to spoil it for you.) The art style is excellent--has a comic influence without being too busy for a young reader to follow. This would make an excellent gift for any kid who loves comics or needs a strong role model.

[Lindsay Metcalf · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brilliance of this book is that it's not a picture-book biography of the creator of Wonder Woman; it's a biography of the fictional superhero herself. This structure immerses the reader in the evolution of the women's movement itself. Such wonderful writing, comic-inspired illustrations, and layers propel readers to a rewarding kablammo ending that will have them thinking of their own potential legacies. A must-read, empowering narrative for every child!

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kirsten Williams Larson’s latest was a big hit for my 9-year-old son. He loved learning the full backstory on Wonder Woman, saying, “The Wonder Woman comics made sure people knew women could be heroes too.” That’s a great message for all young readers, and A TRUE WONDER delivers it with deft and informative prose, beautiful art evoking a classic comic book style, and a design that entices page turning.

[Abi Cushman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and empowering read, and a must-have for fans of Wonder Woman, superheroes, or comics. The text is fast-paced and accessible, and the design and illustrations convey a comic book style, which is perfect. It's a celebration of not just Wonder Woman but of all the women behind-the-scenes who rose up to challenges and broke down barriers: women who made significant contributions to the Wonder Woman story. Highly recommend!

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the history of Wonder Women, this book highlights the contribution of women to the book as well as the role Ms. magazine played in revitalizing the character. The book's endnote mentions the lack of representation in the comics and it would've been great if the Nubia comics by Vita Ayala and Stephanie Williams, which came out at about the same time as the book, could have been included.