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Press Start! #1
Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy!
A Branches Book
Pick a book. Grow a Reader!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Uh-oh, Animal Town is in trouble! Meanie King Viking has created a dreaded robot army to spread No Fun across the land. On top of that, he has stolen the happiest and most fun animal ever, Singing Dog. There is only one person who can save the day -- Super Rabbit Boy! Super Rabbit Boy is super fast and super brave, but he's also a video game character living in a video game world. What will happen when Sunny, the boy playing the game, loses each level? Will it be game over for Super Rabbit Boy and all his friends?
With full-color art by Thomas Flintham!
Pick a book. Grow a Reader!
This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!
Uh-oh, Animal Town is in trouble! Meanie King Viking has created a dreaded robot army to spread No Fun across the land. On top of that, he has stolen the happiest and most fun animal ever, Singing Dog. There is only one person who can save the day -- Super Rabbit Boy! Super Rabbit Boy is super fast and super brave, but he's also a video game character living in a video game world. What will happen when Sunny, the boy playing the game, loses each level? Will it be game over for Super Rabbit Boy and all his friends?
With full-color art by Thomas Flintham!
88 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
529 people are currently reading
1405 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Flintham
105 books71 followersThomas Flintham studied illustration at Camberwell College of Art. FEEL THE FORCE! is his debut nonfiction title. Thomas Flintham lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews
October 22, 2017
I love Branches books!! @all the librarians in my feed: please read them so you have something in your back pocket to recommend for transitional independent readers who are bored with Magic Tree House and not ready to do Harry Potter on their own.
This one is especially great because it mimics the style of the storytelling in video games, and I can hardly count the number of times I've explained to parents that the reason their children love video games so much is that they're involved in a story: the story inside the game, and the story they tell themselves as they play. You can complain about violence and quote shaky research about screen time all day long, but your kids wouldn't give two damp farts about video games if the stories weren't there to get them hooked, so you can't convince me they're all bad.
Give this to any reader who loves video games.
This one is especially great because it mimics the style of the storytelling in video games, and I can hardly count the number of times I've explained to parents that the reason their children love video games so much is that they're involved in a story: the story inside the game, and the story they tell themselves as they play. You can complain about violence and quote shaky research about screen time all day long, but your kids wouldn't give two damp farts about video games if the stories weren't there to get them hooked, so you can't convince me they're all bad.
Give this to any reader who loves video games.
Read
January 3, 2022My sister gave this book to my 6 year old son for Christmas and we devoured it. He loved this little book! And I loved how it taught the lesson: never give up. Even though it was about not giving up on beating a video game or perhaps because it was about beating a video game, it was powerful for my 6 year old.
December 12, 2016
Yay, a new book in the Scholastic Branches series! I love this series for kids in 1st-4th grade, they support readers in so many ways and they are fun stories. Even when students are on to reading middle grade books, they return to these series because they are fun.
Looks like another great series for readers!
Looks like another great series for readers!
April 15, 2018
"It's a good book. It's about a boy playing a video game and it always shows you what super-rabbit boy is doing and I just like it."
-Elliot B., age 7
-Elliot B., age 7
June 1, 2017
This book will appeal to early readers who are not quite ready for chapter books, but have advanced beyond traditional early readers and who loves video games. This book is told in video game format with video game-like illustrations. The language and humor in this book assumes a confident grasp of reading fundamentals. Author, Flintham, uses this format to introduce the reader to skills like perseverance and problem solving in a fun and comfortable environment.
I see this series as another good addition the Scholastic's "Branches" line of books for the newly independent reader. - Also at AndLib1 at TSCPL
I see this series as another good addition the Scholastic's "Branches" line of books for the newly independent reader. - Also at AndLib1 at TSCPL
April 7, 2025
A book that reads like a video game...very novel and innovative! Art is fantastic and really does help the story along. The art takes you back to a time and place where graphics were still evolving; funny how quickly our perception has changed based on CGI. Bright colors add to the kenetic feeling of being in an arcade (now I am really dating myself)!
June 3, 2017
Premise hooks kids. Light read, great first chapter book. Curious to know what happens next.
November 2, 2021
Great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🤯 that's how good it was
February 11, 2022
My 5 year old loves this series.
April 14, 2024
My 7 year old son wanted me to read one of his books, so we chose this one. It was so much fun to read! We can’t wait to buy/read the rest of the series!!
May 26, 2017
The artwork in this book is so charming, I wish it actually were the basis of a video game, which would likely be more fun to read than to play.
As a book, it reads like an autobiographical story of a boy trying to beat a difficult video game called Super Rabbit Boy. The book contains an obvious parody of Sonic the Hedgehog. The game world feels like an homage to Animal Crossing (Singing Dog is basically KK Slider without a guitar), and the villain looks exactly like Booster from Super Mario RPG.
Although young readers may enjoy the retro game aesthetic (retro games are all the rage these days), there are a few details that date the story. The kid is playing on what is basically a Nintendo Game Boy, which I bet the author loved as a boy, but a box console with chunky buttons has been replaced by sleeker handhelds and tablets. Also, while the story has a nice message about persevering through difficulties, games these days aren't exactly difficult. I have to wonder if a single kid who reads this book has played a game that boots him to the beginning if he loses all his lives. Kids these days don't know the true struggle!
All that said, this book is for, like, 8 year olds, who would be drawn in by the artwork. The artwork is absolutely top notch and the book as a whole is lovingly crafted, finely detailed, and creates a seamless little experience.
As a book, it reads like an autobiographical story of a boy trying to beat a difficult video game called Super Rabbit Boy. The book contains an obvious parody of Sonic the Hedgehog. The game world feels like an homage to Animal Crossing (Singing Dog is basically KK Slider without a guitar), and the villain looks exactly like Booster from Super Mario RPG.
Although young readers may enjoy the retro game aesthetic (retro games are all the rage these days), there are a few details that date the story. The kid is playing on what is basically a Nintendo Game Boy, which I bet the author loved as a boy, but a box console with chunky buttons has been replaced by sleeker handhelds and tablets. Also, while the story has a nice message about persevering through difficulties, games these days aren't exactly difficult. I have to wonder if a single kid who reads this book has played a game that boots him to the beginning if he loses all his lives. Kids these days don't know the true struggle!
All that said, this book is for, like, 8 year olds, who would be drawn in by the artwork. The artwork is absolutely top notch and the book as a whole is lovingly crafted, finely detailed, and creates a seamless little experience.
July 22, 2017
Branches books do not disappoint. Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy integrates everything I'm looking for to grow my reader at home. Video games. Appealing characters in the video game including Singing Dog, King Viking, a robot army, and Super Rabbit Boy. They all live in Animal Town. Singing Dog loves happiness and fun. And he loves singing and dancing. Super Rabbit Boy lives at Carrot Castle. The message shared is to keep trying and never give up. Game over. It's perfection.
January 30, 2017
Genius early-chapter book that uses kids' video-game literacy to make them more comfortable with book-reading literacy. Reads exactly like a game, with lives and everything. Text is presented conventionally, in speech bubbles, and on 'screen'. Plenty of action, cute pixelated illustrations, and POC main characters.
Every library needs several copies -- this is going to move like hotcakes.
Every library needs several copies -- this is going to move like hotcakes.
February 10, 2020
This was gifted to my 6 year old who is just starting to read more on his own. He is enjoying being able to read it on his own. He loves video games so this was right up his alley. I enjoyed the simple story and the illustrations.
November 18, 2016
I think kids are going to love this "adventure" with the gaming graphics. It's also got a nice lesson about not giving up.
February 1, 2017
My 6 year old had me read this in one sitting. He has flipped through it several times since we read it.
update:have now read this book 3x in about a 16 hour period that included an overnight
update:have now read this book 3x in about a 16 hour period that included an overnight
February 22, 2017
Colorful pages and a video game plot will be sure to attract young boys.
April 28, 2020
Cute! But I think they get better as the series goes on.
May 14, 2023
I knew my son would love this book. He read it instantly on his own, sitting up in his bed, the night of his 7th birthday after receiving it as a gift. Then he and I enjoyed the book together. I’m sure there will be more of this series to follow with its cute illustrations and video game-inspired storyline.
May 22, 2023
My 8 year old loved this book and wanted me to read it, too. I relate to the frustration of starting video games over and over because the final boss battle was so hard! The story was a little light, but exactly as advertised - Super Rabbit Boy saves the day! My kiddo is asking for all the rest of the books in the series.
January 1, 2024
The Press Start series has been a highlight of my son’s reading life - and my own - for the last couple of years. For early readers, these books have strong characterization and detailed plot. Best of all - they kept my son interested in reading and unlocked the pleasures of reading for him. Book 14 is a pick a path adventure!
April 7, 2025
My five year old told me this is definitely a four star book! He said he really, really, really liked it! He is excited for the next book in the series
October 18, 2022
I see why my 7 year old likes this so much! Don’t know if *I* will be reading the rest but he’s hooked.
And a singing dog in "Animal Town?" That's totally K.K. Slider.
And a singing dog in "Animal Town?" That's totally K.K. Slider.
May 10, 2017
Animal Town is under attack and Singing Dog has just been kidnapped by the evil King Viking. In order to get rid of the Robot Army (created by none other than King Viking) and save Singing Dog, the town must enlist the help of Super Rabbit Boy! Super Rabbit Boy must complete 6 levels and beat the "boss" (King Viking) and then he'll save the day! Can he do it?
Flintham has essentially written a book that puts the reader inside a video game, but through pictures and words. The book is cool, because it's a realistic video game playing experience. When you play video games, you die a lot and you only get so many lives and then the game is over. You play again and get a little further, but then you die again. Eventually, you win and that's all! It was a little nostalgic for me, I grew up with the NES and gameboy and Sega Genesis. But kids still play video games and kids love graphic novels, so for those reasons, I think kids from Preschool to 4th or 5th grade would enjoy this book!
Flintham has essentially written a book that puts the reader inside a video game, but through pictures and words. The book is cool, because it's a realistic video game playing experience. When you play video games, you die a lot and you only get so many lives and then the game is over. You play again and get a little further, but then you die again. Eventually, you win and that's all! It was a little nostalgic for me, I grew up with the NES and gameboy and Sega Genesis. But kids still play video games and kids love graphic novels, so for those reasons, I think kids from Preschool to 4th or 5th grade would enjoy this book!
February 20, 2019
{My thoughts} – Animal town is going through a bit of a dilemma. King Viking the bad guy in this series has kidnapped Singing Dog. It is now up to Super Rabbit Boy to figure out a way to get to and rescue Singing Dog before the book ends.
This is a really fun book to read. The text is written in bubbles, sort of like you’d see if you were playing a hand held game. The graphics are block/pixel like. They are very similar to older graphics in older handheld gaming systems. The colors are bright and help to keep the reader interested in the book. The book is written as a boy that is playing a handheld game, and having problems beating some of the levels. I really like the unique way in which this book is created and can see a ton of potential for this series well into the future.
I think that any child that enjoys playing handheld games, likes video games, and has an interest in reading will enjoy this book. I think it is the perfect kind of beginner chapter book for any child to enjoy.
This is a really fun book to read. The text is written in bubbles, sort of like you’d see if you were playing a hand held game. The graphics are block/pixel like. They are very similar to older graphics in older handheld gaming systems. The colors are bright and help to keep the reader interested in the book. The book is written as a boy that is playing a handheld game, and having problems beating some of the levels. I really like the unique way in which this book is created and can see a ton of potential for this series well into the future.
I think that any child that enjoys playing handheld games, likes video games, and has an interest in reading will enjoy this book. I think it is the perfect kind of beginner chapter book for any child to enjoy.
March 24, 2023
I really enjoyed this. It's the first of a series of highly illustrated early readers which centre on the playing of a computer game. We follow the lead character - Super Rabbit Boy - as he heads through the levels. Things do not go straight forwardly and Sunny, the person playing the game, needs to find the solution in order to progress onto the next level. If you're familiar with gaming, then you know how it is. We finish with the baddie being dispatched, a final party for the good guys, and a little page full of reading comprehension questions.
I'm always really interested in the books that try to do something a little bit differently. Whether that's in subject or in style, I'm here for people who are working things through and trying to carve their own little bookish path within the world. And I don't think I've ever seen a book like this for this age group and, thinking about some conversations I've had recently, I'm also really pleased to see it approaching gaming so positively and genuinely. I'm not here for a 'them and us' scenario where the book is one thing and the game is the Evil Other. I think wherever and whenever a young reader finds a text, we should be there to meet them. (So, to sum, I like it. It's doing good things. Good job).
I suspect that there will be something very productive here as well for readers who are feeling a little bit detached or disengaged with their reading. A genuine, charming book - and what promises to be a very lovely series.
My thanks to Nosy Crow for a review copy.
I'm always really interested in the books that try to do something a little bit differently. Whether that's in subject or in style, I'm here for people who are working things through and trying to carve their own little bookish path within the world. And I don't think I've ever seen a book like this for this age group and, thinking about some conversations I've had recently, I'm also really pleased to see it approaching gaming so positively and genuinely. I'm not here for a 'them and us' scenario where the book is one thing and the game is the Evil Other. I think wherever and whenever a young reader finds a text, we should be there to meet them. (So, to sum, I like it. It's doing good things. Good job).
I suspect that there will be something very productive here as well for readers who are feeling a little bit detached or disengaged with their reading. A genuine, charming book - and what promises to be a very lovely series.
My thanks to Nosy Crow for a review copy.
May 2, 2021
I read this with a group 1st and 2nd graders in my classroom. Scholastic Book Wizard lists other books in the series with the F&P level M, DRA 20-24, grade levels 1-2. I'd agree the these levels. This was a great early chapter book with a just-right reading level and kid appropriate and high interest content. The kids also enjoyed the style of writing of several pages using a paragraph format and other pages using more a more comic-like style. The kids giggled their way through the story and expressed their "oh no!" each time poor Rabbit Boy wasn't quite successful. This definitely captivated them and they were eager to read when it was their reading group time.
My one star knock off was the quality of the physical book. All six copies were purchased through Scholastic. They had the soft cover (harder cardstock quality). All of them were poorly glued and had the cover separating or pages that were coming loose by the time we finished the book. Hard cover copies may be better made, but the publisher needs to work on quality control.
My one star knock off was the quality of the physical book. All six copies were purchased through Scholastic. They had the soft cover (harder cardstock quality). All of them were poorly glued and had the cover separating or pages that were coming loose by the time we finished the book. Hard cover copies may be better made, but the publisher needs to work on quality control.
September 18, 2025
The first book in a video game-themed series, "Game Over, Super Rabbit Boy," starts with Super Rabbit Boy's friends being kidnapped by the evil King Viking for having fun. Powered by a Super Carrot he ate when he was a baby, Super Rabbit Boy is the only one who can save them, but he has to overcome lots of scary challenges, like lots of robots, to get them.
Six-year-olds polled really enjoyed this book, describing it as "so good," "fun," and "funny." Adults polled liked the fun pictures and easy-to-read format of the book, the references to real video games (like Sonic the Hedgehog, who is fast and blue), and the discussion questions at the end that engage children.
- Review by Greg, Central Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
Six-year-olds polled really enjoyed this book, describing it as "so good," "fun," and "funny." Adults polled liked the fun pictures and easy-to-read format of the book, the references to real video games (like Sonic the Hedgehog, who is fast and blue), and the discussion questions at the end that engage children.
- Review by Greg, Central Library Staff
Click here to find the book at Prince William Public Libraries.
February 13, 2022
I got the two books in one version from the library which includes "Super Rabbit Boy Powers Up!" and "Game Over Super Rabbit Boy!".
I am 8 and I loved this book. It is really different because it is a comic as well as a regular story book. It even has a quiz at the end of each story. Both stories start with 2 kids who are playing a computer game which becomes a funny adventure starring Super Rabbit Boy who has to defeat the Viking King. He is always trying to steal things in the game. I would recommend this as a quick read for 7 to 12 year olds. The puzzles are pretty simple and the pictures make it look really cool and colourful. There are 11 Press Start books in the collection but Thomas Flintham has written lots of other great kids books. I have read 7 of his books and I liked them all.
I am 8 and I loved this book. It is really different because it is a comic as well as a regular story book. It even has a quiz at the end of each story. Both stories start with 2 kids who are playing a computer game which becomes a funny adventure starring Super Rabbit Boy who has to defeat the Viking King. He is always trying to steal things in the game. I would recommend this as a quick read for 7 to 12 year olds. The puzzles are pretty simple and the pictures make it look really cool and colourful. There are 11 Press Start books in the collection but Thomas Flintham has written lots of other great kids books. I have read 7 of his books and I liked them all.
September 8, 2018
I read this aloud with my 5 year old son and he loved it. He actually read through it with my husband once, 'read' it several times on his own, and then brought it back to me to read it again a couple days later. There are colored illustrations and short amounts of text on each page so it makes for a very quick read.
The story mimics the storytelling of video games which was very creative, but not something that really drew me in. My son obviously loved it though and was acting the story out afterwards. I think this one would definitely appeal to video game fans, but also many other kids would be drawn into the story (like my son who doesn't have much experience at all with video games).
He says he definitely wants to continue on in the series.
The story mimics the storytelling of video games which was very creative, but not something that really drew me in. My son obviously loved it though and was acting the story out afterwards. I think this one would definitely appeal to video game fans, but also many other kids would be drawn into the story (like my son who doesn't have much experience at all with video games).
He says he definitely wants to continue on in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 207 reviews