Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because I like Mr. Winn’s works, and that they encourage talk between kids and adults, and they have great messages! 😀
Space Cop Zack, Protector of the Galaxy
By Don M. Winn
Illustrated by Dave Allred
17 pages – ages 5+
Published by Cardboard Box Adventures (June 28, 2013)
Theme/Topic – Imagination / space / books for boys
Genre – Fiction
Opening and Synopsis – “Space Cop Zack and his robot sidekick GARG skyrocketed through the stars. Zack steered his super-transformational smart ship, the Galaxian, straight into the middle of the swirling asteroid field of Vomitron 9.”
Zack and GARG are on the trail of the sinister criminal Dr. Dogbreath. They find themselves on planet X where they discover many obstacles including the Slime Forest and a giant octopus. Will Space Cop Zack be able to find and arrest Dr. Dogbreath? You decide! (no really, you do 😉 )
Why I liked this book – I love that this whole book takes place in a kid’s imagination. It makes a neat twist to the end of the book and you really can decide how the book ends using your imagination. At the end of the book you see what has really been happening and there’s a little map that shows where Zack and GARG (his toy robot) have been (his back yard). I thought it was fun to look at the map and then see where Zack really was during the story. The story fun to read and would make a great read aloud for parents and kids. I love the silly humor Mr. Winn puts in the book too. The illustrations are great! They are colorful and have a lot to look at in them.
Activities and Resources –
I didn’t have to go far to find great activities for this book. Mr. Winn included discussion questions parents can use with their kids. All of the questions help kids use their imaginations!
Make your own jet-pack! When I was little I glued two Styrofoam cups on the bottom of a cereal box and cut holes in the box to put ribbon through it to make it go around my arms. I loved my jet-pack and I used it for a long time. I thought this would be a good craft idea to go along with this book. I found this AWESOME version of it using soda bottles at Doodle Craft click HERE! You have to check out how cool it is!
Now that you have your jet pack, talk to your kids and decide how the story ends or make up a new adventure for Zack and GARG to go on!
To learn more about Mr. Winn, visit his Goodreads blog HERE or his website HERE. Find Mr. Winn on Facebook HERE or on Twitter @don_winn
Visit the Cardboard Box Adventures site HERE.
Categories: Age 6-9
This one looks right up M-man and T-man’s alley! You’re doing great on your accelerated reader points so far. And I see Star Wars Reads Day landed on my anniversary, lol.
Well, Happy Anniversary! Are you going to read a Star Wars book to your husband? 😉 I think your kids would like this book! 😀
Well! This book looks as though it was written for you. It seems to have all the ingredients that you love!
Totally! 🙂
Dr. Dogbreath??!! BWAH-hahaha. I can’t wait to look at the unique way this book was written–great food for thought for all writers. Thanks for introducing me to Mr. Winn’s work.
No, MWAH-hahaha! Dogbreath is EVIL! 😉 Mr. Winn is a great author! 😀
That is perfect for Matthew! Love Dr. Dogbreath
I think Matthew would love this! 😀
What a cool book!! Should I be rooting for Dr Dogbreath?! I like the name of the publishing co. Cardboard Box Adventures sounds like a great place to be. I like your jet pack idea too!! I think that I need a jet pack!
Hmm… Are you an evil genius, or a follower of the law? CBA (I just noticed – CBA is ABC backwards…) is a great publisher! 😀
What a unique story where children can use their imaginations to end the book! That is such a brilliant idea. Boys will definitely love this book! Love the play on words.
This is an awesome book, Ms. Tilton! I think most boys will like this book! 😀
Another nice review! I love picture books and this looks like it’s one that boys will really enjoy! Imagination makes the world go ’round!
Thanks, L.Lobo! Boys will love this book! 😀
Sounds like a “tongue-in-cheek” sort of book, Erik, and lots of fun, besides!
That’s exactly what it is! 😀
I’m loving Dr. Dogbreath, too! 😀
🙂
I like books with discussion questions built in. Thanks for sharing this one.
This is a great one!
So it’s like Choose Your Own Adventure? Cooper might love this one. I know he would enjoy making his own jetpack. This is awesome!
Well, not exactly CYOA, because there is a story and a plot, but it has the ending for you to decide – does Dr. Dogbreath get away, or does Zack arrest him? 🙂
This makes me think a bit of the “choose your own adventure” books I used to love as a kid. I know this isn’t exactly the same, but it sounds really fun. I love maps, so the map concept is really neat too. The cover is great! Thanks for the great review. Keep up the great work Erik!
Paul R. Hewlett
Thanks Mr. Hewlett! This is a great book!
I love that this book is about imagination! Such an important thing for parents and teachers to help kids cultivate! I will definitely have to check this one out! Great review!
Thank you! This is a great book! 😀
This book sounds chock full of fun and adventure, Erik! I’m sure lots of kids will love it. I love your activities too – especially the jet pack! 🙂
I really liked this book! And my jetpacks! 😀
Vomitron – too funny. I’ll be emailing later today.
Thanks! I’d like to see you illustrate the Vomitron! 😉
Any book that encourages kids use their imaginations is a winner with me. I don’t think kids use their imaginations enough these days. and many don’t get a chance to. Being too scheduled in extramural sports. Did you know Chinese kids don’t play sports but instead play musical instruments?
I didn’t know that! Do you mean that Chinese kids don’t NORMALLY play sports, or they just don’t play sports at all? ❓
Instead of taking their kids to sports after school for practice, Chinese Mothers take them to music practice. I guess some of them play because we do have the Olympics but they don’t normally play sports.
Interesting! Thank you for explaining that!
You bet, Chinese Mothers also do what is considered abusive here in the States by telling their kids they are lazy if they don’t practice their instruments or do extra credit for math and science. They don’t consider it extra but necessary work. I am reading the book “The Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chou, and it goes into detail about the differences between western parenting and Chinese parenting. It is an eye opener for sure! 🙂
Wow!
Wow! No wonder you love this book, so packed with adventure and right up your alley in all things space! Great review as always. Thanks for sharing, Erik!
Thank you Ms. Tulloch! This is a great book! 😀
Ok! You had me at Dr. Dogbreath! That is FUNNY!
hee hee – I was hooked after Vomitron! 😉