Action Movie Kid

December 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-Action Movie Kid is a hero of many disguises who goes on adventures, fights monsters, and saves the day. In real life, he is James, an imaginative little boy who genuinely wants to help others but ends up causing them trouble instead. His tolerant parents aren't quite sure what to do with him when he does things like convert the family car into a "rocket" car. However, when a slime monster attacks, there's only one solution: stick together. The Action Movie Family defeats the terrible and frightening goo, successfully cleaning up the mess caused by an overflowing washer. Fabbretti's dynamic compositions and animation-based style are an absolute action-packed delight. Visual references to other action heroes like the Jedi and Indiana Jones only add to the fun. While this is Action Movie Kid's first book, it is not his first adventure; James is already a YouTube sensation. Hashimoto and Richardville's digitally altered "home" videos capture all the hilarity of their son's actions. The book succeeds in delivering the same and should appeal to fans of the videos as well as new readers. While the volume has an interactive component, readers expecting an interactive book (as it labels itself) may be disappointed by what is essentially a discovery layer created through augmented reality. The free Blippar app is available for both Android and iOS devices. VERDICT A well-balanced blend of action, humor, and family values.-Rachel Forbes, formerly of Oakville Public Library, Ontario, Canada

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