Traction Man

Story

Traction Man is here! With an action outfit for every situation, Traction Man always saves the day in style. That is until he has to wear an all-in-one green romper suit and matching bonnet, knitted by Granny. Can Traction man still be a hero without his signature look?

Why we chose it

Oxford illustrator Mini Grey has created a wildly imaginative story full of humour and super-hero daring. Traction Man is a great hero – come and meet him in Small Worlds.

Where it came from

Mini Grey is an Oxford-based children’s author and illustrator. The idea for Traction Man came when she was working as a teacher. Her student had brought his action figure to school, and it was wearing a home-made green knitted suit. She wondered whether the Action Man was struggling to be a hero in this humiliating costume.

Where it went next

Traction Man is Here! is popular in schools up and down the country, and has received numerous awards and nominations. In 2005 it received the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Associated stories

Traction Man’s adventures continue in Traction Man Meets Turbo Dog (2008) and Traction Man and the Beach Odyssey (2011). Other award-winning books by Mini Grey include The Pea and the Princess (2003), Biscuit Bear (2004), The Adventures of the Dish and the Spoon (2005), Toys in Space (2013), Hermelin (2015), The Last Wolf (2018).

In the museum

Find Traction Man’s under the sink world in Small Worlds.