Linda here.
It happened this year – Halloween superhero costumes outsold princess costumes the first time in 11 years!

It’s about time.  Dressing up as a princess means little girls can wear a crown and a pretty dress, but in real-life princesses only wear crowns and gowns for very special occasions.  Most of the time they dress like real people, with no real power to change the world around them.   

Even Disney princesses usually start out in unhappy circumstances being cursed and bossed around by evil stepmothers.

Superheroes are very different.

• They have super powers: the power of flight or invisibility, super-human strength, lasers from the eyes, spikes from the knuckles, webs from the wrists or really cool gadgets on a utility belt.
• They are brave and fight for something bigger than themselves: Truth and Justice, Freedom and Honor and High Moral Principles.
• They have integrity: they can’t be turned from good and have a clear set of values.
• They offer hope: villains are scary, big and powerful and often have superhuman abilities themselves.
• They are resourceful and innovative.  They tackle challenges and never give up.
• They build great teams.  Superheroes build a strong network of people they can trust and who compensate for their weaknesses.
• Superheroes make a difference.  It’s one thing to care about an issue but quite another to take action.

The costume you wear every day matters.  This year I’m going to be a Superhero.  I’m guessing you want to be one too; a person of strength and conviction, of perseverance and commitment, one of decency and who makes a difference in the lives of others.  Am I right?