Many youngsters love superheroes long before they're old enough to read comic books or see the latest hair-raising Batman movie.
Never fear. "Traction Man is Here!"
That's the title of Mini Grey's enchanting first book starring an action figure brought to life by the imagination of a little boy.
Her sequel, "Traction Man Meets Turbodog," is another gem.
As the story opens, the boy has taken Traction Man and his "faithful pet Scrubbing Brush" out for a daring exploration of Mount Compost Heap.
In her illustrations and text, Grey deftly switches perspectives between the boy at play and Traction Man, big and alive in the midst of his adventures.
For example, in the first scene, we see the boy in his backyard. His family clearly values creativity and play. Big sister works with power tools. There's a sandbox, assorted sports equipment, a bird feeder and a pond (which was under construction in the first book).
Way back in the corner is the thriving compost heap.
For the next few pages, we're on the mountain with Traction Man and Scrubbing Brush as they follow their guide, Ancient Potato, and bow to the Mystic Shrooms.
After sandwiches at the summit, there's a scary adventure at the pond. Scrubbing Brush is nearly lost in a patch of mud. Traction Man saves him.
That's just the beginning in a book packed full of adventure.
Back at the house, Grey pulls back out of Traction Man's realm and into the boy's again. As the child snoozes on the couch with the action figure nestled in his arm, the book's true conflict is established.
The father sneaks the mud-encrusted Scrubbing Brush into the trash. Meanwhile, he and the mother have placed a package tied with a bow at the boy's feet.
It's Turbodog _ a "generic robotic hound" that "bleeps," "speaks" and "squeaks."
Thinking Scrubbing Brush is just off doing something else, Traction Man tries taking Turbodog on his explorations. But the purple, plastic hound is noisy (he wakes the fierce cat Tiddles) and not terribly bright.
Soon, the most pressing mission becomes finding, then rescuing Scrubbing Brush from the "Dark and Terrible Underworld" of the garbage can. It's a humorously scary place. Snakelike spaghetti noodles, creepy old pizza slices and angry-looking fries surround Scrubbing Brush.
Armed with a big bottle of spray cleaner, Traction Man has it handled.
The last adventure is a bath/tropical diving expedition.
Traction Man explores, Scrubbing Brush gets clean and Turbodog tumbles in, wrecking his batteries. He's a better team member without the noise.
The tale is exciting, great fun and a wonderful tribute to the power of imagination.
Grey's lively, colorful illustrations are laid out like comic strip panels. They're full of details that will amuse and fascinate children and adults (including a bottle of Green Nun wine). Careful readers will find more stories in the pictures. On the last spread there's a subtle apology from the dad _ a bag of marshmallows for Scrubbing Brush.