Research different action figures that are available for sale in local shops / online. Make a table to show the features and prices. Use sorting diagrams to compare them. Carry out a survey to find out which one(s) people prefer. This is a sequel to the original Traction Man book. Can you read it and compare the two stories? Which do you prefer? Why? Can he save Scrubbing Brush from? And is there room in his life for two pets? Teaching Ideas and Resources: English

At the end of the story, Traction Man and Scrubbing Brush construct a shelter from pillow cases and a bath mat. Can you make your own shelters? Why does Turbodog struggle to move in the sand? Plan an investigation to find out which surfaces / materials might be easy or difficult for Turbodog to travel over. Retell the story from the point of view of Traction Man, Scrubbing Brush, Turbodog, the boy or one of his family members. I really wasn't sure what to expect from this story. I'd never heard of it before, but it was featured as one of the selections for the Toys themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads. Write a story about a new Traction Man adventure, e.g. Traction Man repairs the Giant Intergalactic People Mover.Can Traction Man overcome the humiliation of his desperately dowdy new look and rediscover the action hero within or will the burden of the knitted green monstrosity be too great? Teaching Ideas and Resources: English Because every time you read a book it is different: Since the previous time I read this I read Dazzle Ships: World War I and the Art of Confusion. So, for the first time I get the "dazzle-painted battle pants" joke. At the end of the story, an evil pair of scissors is approaching Traction Man and Scrubbing Brush. Can you write about what happens next?

Make a list of persuasive words and phrases that could be used in an advert to promote Traction Man and / or Turbodog. You get to see how Traction Man defeats the creepy, smelly, sneaky bin things to rescue Scrubbing Brush. It was a little spooky to see every child so absorbed. BUT, I lived for those silent moments during Reading Time. SO, I decided what the hey - a little magic never hurt anyone.The story followed a little boy's action figure and his pet, the scrubbing brush, on a series of adventures. The brush was disposed of by the boy's parents because it was filthy and replaced with an electronic dog. The new pet had many downsides compared to the simple brush that had been his friend. Thinking his pet was just lost, Tractionman ventured on a quest to find him, locating him inside a bin and rescing him. Once together again, Turbodog dove into a bath tub and was never the same. Using the pictures in the book, children can tell the story in their own words and making their own sound effects. Watch the story

A little boy gets what he REALLY WANTS for Christmas - a Traction Man Generic Action Figure! Boo-ya! ( Warning: Contains small parts and loud shirt. Do not microwave.) Traction Man immediately leaps into action battling some Evil Pillows. Hooray! The Farm Animals are saved! Traction Man explains that ‘water and electricity don’t mix’. Can you find out why? Can you think of some other electricity safety rules? And so is Scrubbing Brush, his brave and rather bedraggled pet. But one night Scrubbing Brush mysteriously vanishes and in his place is the utterly hygienic Turbodog, in indestructible Purple Plastic with Flashing Eyes, Electronic Bark and three AA batteries. But it’s not the same without Scrubbing Brush. Where can he be? Traction Man sets out on his greatest rescue mission yet.

Looking for something different

The imagination & creativity of Traction Man will provide possibilities for expanding the story with activities. The action and dialog will attract readers. I recommend this humorous book for school and public library collections.

Nothing - and I repeat - nothing affected my little monsters so wholly as this book. It was like Harry's first day at Hogwarts - pure magic. Before reading the story, encourage children to look at the cover and talk about what they notice. Then read through the book, pausing to talk about the pictures. Join in

Engage children with digital learning

Twenty-eight first graders run in from recess. They're dirty, tired and infected with the wiggles. There's whispering, muttering, sniffling and whining. I am currently 62 books behind if I had started January 1st, which I didn't. I'm only 96 behind for my regular reading challenge, which is doubled for the year. Will I make it? Will I get close? The suspense is killing me.