Rescue Heroes: Robotz Team Billy Blazes and Ember

Description

Since they first appeared as Fisher-Price action figures, Rescue Heroes have been heralded for their courage, cool under pressure, and non-violent problem-solving, earning an animated TV show and a subsequent line of videos. The mustachioed Billy Blazes and his robotic sidekick, Ember, for example, spend their days fighting infernos and saving residents trapped by fire. Like other Rescue Heroes, the two rely on a curious communication technique involving a tethered backpack plugged into Embers's circuitry. When the backpack rests on Billy's shoulders, and a button is pressed, the duo speaks in plain English ("This disaster is big!"); otherwise, Ember is reduced to unintelligible beeps, squeaks, and honks. These are ingenious, well crafted toys--with monstrous feet to boot--and imaginative kids should have a blast with them; it seems there'd be no end to the variety of rescue missions. Included are three AAA batteries and a firefighter's axe for Billy. --Andy Boynton