I received these products for my review. All opinions are my own.

NEW TOY LINE GETS KIDS TO READ THEN LEAD AS THEY DISCOVER HEROES THAT BUILT AMERICA

Flash & Thunder, INVICTA Challenge’s First Game With Novel, Maps & Collectible, Salutes Native American Paratrooper’s Leadership on D-Day

Are heroes born or can they be made? A new youth entertainment brand called INVICTA Challenge combines an action-packed video game, graphic novel, maps and operation packet that inspire kids to read and then lead. Children ages 8 to 14 immerse themselves in historical situations where they make decisions that determine success or failure. Flash & Thunder ($34.99), available November 2, is the first in a series of Leadership Decision Challenge boxed and appbased games. Now all kids can walk in the shoes of an American hero.

The concept behind INVICTA Challenge came from Jim Murphy, a former Marine who went on to a successful career in the toy industry. His passion for fun and games sparked the idea for a product that encourages literacy, teaches history and fosters leadership.

“We want kids learning about heroes and leaders who can inspire them to their own greatness in a fun and compelling way,” explains Murphy who has had stops at Mattel and Spin-Master. “INVICTA is an acronym for seven key leadership traits: Integrity, Nobility, Valor, Initiative, Curiosity, Tenacity and Accountability. These traits are infused with every story. Our stories are highly visual and contain plenty of action and adventure.”

Kids discover all of these traits as they play Flash & Thunder. It tells the true story of a Native American paratrooper, Turner Turnbull, during WWII and his role in the Allied invasion on DDay. The game includes a 108-page graphic novel written in a reader chooses-the-outcome format. Kids will be awed by the two detailed maps and an operations packet with 15 engaging cards that feature information about Allied and Axis forces, their equipment and other scenarios to complete the mission.

After reading the operations packet and studying the maps, kids tackle the mission and play the role of Turner Turnbull, making the decisions he and other leaders actually faced on D-Day. A 6” collectible paratrooper figure, sculpted by Four Horsemen Studios, makes the play experience even more real.

The free INVICTA app contains a free-to-play strategy game that continues the D-Day challenge. Kids re-play the battle based on the skills uncovered in the novel. “Since we are trying to focus on encouraging a passion for reading first and foremost,” explained Murphy, “we designed our video game so that kids must read all the materials in order to successfully play the game.”

Flash & Thunder ($4.99) is also available as an in-app purchase. The digital version includes the operations packet, maps and graphic novel plus mini-games that challenge kids throughout the storyline. It contains 30 videos that provide a deeper understanding of the mission, D-Day and rationale behind right and wrong decisions made throughout the course of the game.

Leadership Decision Challenge: Flash & Thunder goes on sale November 2 at Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com and specialty retailers. The app, containing a free-to-play strategy game and in-app purchases, will also be available in early November to download on iTunes and Google Play.

Care was taken to develop materials by literacy and leadership experts to ensure that Flash & Thunder is something that kids want to read. Beyond military heroes, stories about physical, mental and moral leadership are in the pipeline. Famous Americans such as Harriet Tubman, Apollo astronauts and Teddy Roosevelt will soon become interactive stories as children uncover the civil rights leaders, builders and defenders that made America.

You guys…. I have the ULTIMATE gift idea for boys (and girls!) ages 8 to 14. We LOVE our new Flash and Thunder interactive game and graphic novel. This is such a great idea! The package comes with:

An action figure
A free app
Graphic novel
Cards, maps, and other learning materials

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I love that instead of just writing a book about this character, they have taken it to a whole new level. I am very passionate about instilling a love for reading in youth, and this Flash and Thunder box set is a great way to do that. Children will very engaged in this story, especially with the game and the action figure to go with it. On top of reading, they will also be learning about important history. It inspires leadership and perseverance. There is so much to get involved with! INVICTA will also be coming out with new characters too, so be sure to grab this first one and then stay tuned for more!

Things that are Brag Worthy:

Game With Novel, Action figure, Maps & Collectible
Salutes Native American Paratrooper’s Leadership on D-Day
Action-packed video game, graphic novel, maps and operation packet that inspire kids to read and then lead
Children ages 8 to 14 immerse themselves in historical situations where they make decisions that determine success or failure
All kids can walk in the shoes of an American hero
Care was taken to develop materials by literacy and leadership experts to ensure that Flash & Thunder is something that kids want to read