Traction Man Is Here! by Mini Grey (0-375-83191-6)
This book is one of my favorites of the year! A little boy wakes up and finds Traction Man gift wrapped on his bed. “Traction Man: Generic Action Figure with Dazzle-Painted Battle Pants.” Traction Man immediately leaps into action riding in a sneaker and fighting off the Evil Pillows. From there he adventures in the kitchen sink, the back yard, and the bath tub. Finally, they arrive at Grandma’s house where a “lovely (grrr)” knitted green romper suit and matching bonnet are waiting for Traction Man. How will Traction Man survive wearing this humiliating costume? Read the book and see!
The pictures of the book are filled with messy rooms, action galore, and make kids feel right at home. The entire text of the book is written exactly the way boys play with their action figures. I think this is the first time that both my boys found a book that sounds just like them, featuring a boy that plays just like they play. It was magical for them to read this book with me, and they requested it again and again. My oldest even read it himself over and over again.
Hand this to those creative little boys who come to the library lugging any type of action figure. They will find a kindred spirit here. A perfectly written, wonderfully illustrated book for the little boy in all of us.
Day: August 22, 2005
D&D
Dungeons and Dragons is working to get their game into more public libraries. You can take a look at their campaign at Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Library Web Page. If you get one of their printed flyers, you will see a quote from me advocating D&D in libraries.
I did D&D with a group of teens via the Teen Center we set up at a public library. It is one of the programs I am most proud of, because we turned a very negative situation with teens over-running the library each day into a positive one. Each afternoon, we converted the public meeting room into a teen center using a computer on a cart, lots of bean bags, and carts of very cool books, including D&D books and dice. It was a very popular space and one that resulted in a lot of positive things happening. D&D was at the center of bringing some of those teen boys in. It was a wonderful experience. I still miss some of those kids.
Playing at School
Innovate Live Index offers several articles on using video games in classrooms and as instructional devices. All articles are free to access once you register with the site at no charge.
Via Game On: Games in Libraries.
Waking Brain Cells 