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.