My Mum Has X-Ray Vision

by Angela McAllister, Alex T. Smith (Illustrator)

Milo's mum always knows what he's up to. She knows when he's using her saucepans to brew up magic spells, and she knows when he's bouncing on his bed. She even knows when he's wrestling with giant sea monsters in the bath. But how does she do it? There can only be one answer: she must have X-Ray vision! So one day Milo decides to put his theory to the test...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Superheroes, Family, Storytime, Humor

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2010

About the author

Angela McAllister is an award- winning author of over eighty books for children, including picture books, junior fiction, non-fiction and novels. Her work has been adapted for the stage and is widely used in schools. It has been translated into more than twenty languages. She lives in the south of England.

Reviews

[Terry]

My 3 boys LOVED this book. LOVED LOVED LOVED it! This really tapped into their natural love for superheroes. They couldn't get enough of reading and re-reading this book.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do moms know what is going on when they are not in the same room? I'm sure this question has been asked many times by children and here is a simple and funny story that kids will laugh to. The illustrations are bold and colorful with cute characters. Children will enjoy the funny details to look at throughout the book. Even after reading it a second time, I still found some silly new thing to see that I missed the first time. I really liked this book and think your kids will too!

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew's mom always knows when he is getting into trouble. Maybe she has x-ray vision! Cute story about the super powers moms tend to have.

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew has created a Super Hero Evidence Report on his mom. According to him she has x-ray vision. Her appearance is normal just like all the other moms except that she can see through things. At least he was pretty sure she could. When he was wrestling with a giant sea monster in the tub his mom shouted from downstairs to sit down in the tub. It seems that everything he does she sees from some other room. Of course he must share with his friend Emily that his mom is a superhero. Of course Matthew does have to test his theory. You'll just have to get the book to see if he is right.

This is a great book for kids, parents and teachers too. Kids can test the very same theories on their parents and even create a Super Hero Evidence Report. The illustrations put a fun twist on the story.

[Miss Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthews mom has X-Ray vision. She knows all kind of stuff that he's doing, EVEN WHEN SHE CAN'T SEE HIM!

We all know that Mom's have super senses. They just KNOW things. This book highlights that mystery in a super cute way. The language is simple and straightforward, mostly from Matthew's point of view, allowing the reader to enjoy the mystery of "How does she KNOW that?" The pictures are bright and colorful, and Mom kicks butt - groceries in one hand, superhero outfit draped over an arm.

But what kicks this up a notch is it's role in the normalization of diversity.

This isn't a book about a black kid whose mom has superpowers, it's a story about a KID whose mom has superpowers. The end.

[Aleece · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew thinks that his mom is a super hero because she always knows what he is up to even when she is not there to see him do it. Matthew finally asks his friend Emily if Mom's can have X-ray vision and she says she will ask her brother because he reads all of the super hero comics so he would know.

This is a cute story that reminds kids that parents are super heroes in their own right and they always know what you are up to. The illustrations really help get the boy's idea of his mom being a super hero to the readers and I am sure kids will see themselves in Matthew's shoes.

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book every young child would love. How many times does a child ask "Mom do you have eyes in the back of your head?" Matthew doesn't always do what he is supposed to do. He never can figure out how mom can be in another room and still know what he is doing wrong. So he decides she must have x-ray vision, until he tricks her. The storyline is delightful and the illustrations are adorable. I plan to read this to my grandson when he comes next Sunday, and I know that he will thoroughly enjoy it.

[Bath Book Shop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew just can't figure out why his mother always knows what he's up to. Pretty soon he comes to the conclusion that she must have x-ray vision - how else to explain it but superpowers?

The illustrations of Matthew's fantasies make this book - the dragon he's fighting? She's wearing a pair of old-school, cliche-librarian glasses. And his mother's closet it full of totally rad sixties' dresses (and a couple hidden Christmas presents.

So much fun!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story and a tribute to moms everywhere who have x-ray vision (and/or just seem to know what children are up to, even without seeing them.) The illustrations are humorous and fun and remind me a lot of Lauren Child's style. The narrative is entertaining and the dialogue sounds vaguely familiar... We really enjoyed reading this book together.

[Kelli Bratten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would love to read this book to my students around mothers day! They would write a descriptive piece about their mom telling the reader all about their mom. We would also do a art project as a gift for their mother (not sure what project I would do yet!)Possibly a full body drawing with labels telling about their mom like their is in the front of this book.

[Dana Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matthew's mom knows everything. His only explanation is that she must have x-ray vision. The story is told from Matthew's point of view and it's exactly like a child would think. The story is funny and the illustrations are vibrant. My sons and I love the story! I have bought this book as a gift for my nieces and nephews and they enjoy it as much as we do.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply outstanding in every way! I loved, loved, loved this book. It was funny, it was playful, and it superbly captured those extra special supermom skills that so many of us possess. My son didn't want me to put it away. I hope there are more of these books. Delightful!

I secured this title at my local library.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

diverse picture book (superheroes, superpowers, moms; older preschool/kinder ages 4 and up)
Large colorful pictures and an engaging, humorous plot make this a great choice for storytime if your kids will sit through it (I'm used to too many toddlers, so I am having trouble relating to preschool crowds these days). As a one-on-one readaloud you could read it to younger kids (3 years or so?)

[Dee-Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun book which was read to class at public library today. I wish I had super powers ... I wish however at the end that the mum did find the boy in the cupboard. The classs was not that enthused by book, which I think may refelct the number of kids without a mum at home.

[Michele Knott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story! The little boy imagines his mom has x-ray vision - that's the only explanation on why mom knows everything! Use the picture clues and have your child figure out how mom really knows everything. Of course, little does the boy know that his mom is really a super hero!

[Nancy Jo Lambert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think kids will like this book. I think they will enjoy the superhero aspect and the fact that it is the mom who is suspected as being a superhero. I can see some fun activities using this book with kids!

[Alyssa Mandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super cute book about how a boy thinks his mom has x-ray vision.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure that my SMART reader really got the implications of why the mom's super powers were in question (real? not real?), but he was entertained by it.

[Antoinette Hollamon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very adorable. Mathew’s mom always seems to know what Mathew is doing in the other room. Could she be a superhero with x-ray vision? Mathew seems to think so!
•••
My kids thought this books was hilarious. They could relate to the illustrations and even wondered if their own mom might have some super hero powers. It’s cute and worth picking up.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew is absolutely amazed because his mom has x-ray vision and eyes in the back of her head! A super fun group read aloud.

[Ammie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes. Mamas have eyes in the backs of their heads. 🤣

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great illustrations and cute idea.

[Gillian Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to look this up today! Made me smile, my girls are now 9 and 11. I read this book to the girls almost every night, and honestly, I might have liked it even more than they did!

The story is about a boy, who thinks his mum has x-ray vision because she always knows what he's doing. So, he decides to test it out and see if she really has superpowers. It's a fun and funny book that we all enjoyed for many years. Perfect for bedtime, with lots of laughs and a reminder to behave!

[Sean Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course we all knew growing up that mom had x ray vision. We could never figure out how they were able to see everything and know what we were up to. This book follows a young boy whose mom is always aware of what he is doing. He started a Super Hero Evidence Report on his mom. The illustrations were great and gave a warm feel to the book. I would have just enjoyed flipping through the pictures as a kid.

[Round Lake Area Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew thinks that his mom is a super hero because she always knows what he is up to even when she is not there to see him do it. Matthew finally asks his friend Emily if Mom's can have X-ray vision and she says she will ask her brother because he reads all of the super hero comics so he would know.

This is a cute story that reminds kids that parents are super heroes in their own right and they always know what you are up to. The illustrations really help get the boy's idea of his mom being a super hero to the readers and I am sure kids will see themselves in Matthew's shoes.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who hasn't said that their Mom has X-ray vision or eyes in the back of her head? A fun idea for a story. Not my favorite illustration style unfortunately. There were a couple of places that don't flow that well as a read aloud. After multiple reads I'm still not sure how to fill in and get over the issue.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why does mom have to wear the wonder woman outfit?
Matthew believes his mother has x-ray vision because she always knows what he's doing. So one day he decides to test his theory. What wil he find out about his mother having super powers?

[Elizabeth Meadows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really cute! Young fella is pretty sure his mom has superpowers because she always seems to know what he's up to. When he conducts an experiment, he determines that his mom does NOT have x-ray vision, but perhaps has another superpower instead.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does mom *always* know what Matthew is up to? She must be a SUPERHERO! Great illustrations and lots of fun to read.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this silly book. When my kids were growing up, I used to tell them I had eyes in the back of my head.