Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms [Hardcover]

Christine Kole Maclean (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Big Frank the firefighter, Officer Dave the policeman, Dan the construction worker, Captain Steve the helicopter pilot, and Joe the EMT-these are just some of the people a little boy pretends to be, using common household objects (and his little sister) as props. When he's fighting fires, serving and protecting, and rescuing people at sea, he's too busy to show Mom any affection. Still, she keeps reminding him that even these tough guys hug their moms. Eventually, even happily, the boy gives in. This lively picture book celebrates imaginative play and family togetherness as it pays a subtle tribute to today's heroes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-In this celebration of the imagination, a busy youngster concocts a series of pretend games, using toys, furniture, household objects, and even his baby sister to complete each scenario. First, as Big Frank, he puts on his protective gear, grabs Firefighter Sally, rushes to a burning building in a hook-and-ladder truck, and uses a long-hosed vacuum to battle a blaze. Next, as Officer Dave, he and Rex the police dog (his sister) place a wagonload of stuffed-animal criminals safely behind bars. As the creative child takes on these and other intriguing roles, his mother asks him repeatedly to pause long enough to give her a hug, but he is always too involved to stop his play. The sought-after squeeze is finally awarded on the last page. The boy narrates his adventures in accessible language that expresses his excitement and provides inventive details. Mom's recurrent request makes a familiar refrain that adds a bit of humor to the story and helps to connect the child's flights of fancy to the everyday world. Mixing realistic images with shimmering textures and soft edges, the artwork extends the text and fleshes out each scene. Golf clubs stuck between an ottoman and an easy chair become the gears of a front loader, a ceiling fan becomes a Coast Guard helicopter, and stacked-up boxes make a perfect rocket. A good pick for sparking pretend play and maybe even an occasional embrace.
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-K. A little boy pretends to be a firefighter, a police officer, a doctor, and more. He's such a busy boy that every time his mother points out that even police officers, ambulance drivers, and firefighters take time to hug their moms, he pleads work. Not until he's a garbage truck driver and fishes a special item out of the trash does he allow the happy "customer" to hug him. MacLean really captures how single-minded children can sometimes be, and she gets right inside the fantasy world that allows a tower of couch cushions to become a burning building and a laundry basket to become an ambulance. The story goes on a little too long, but children will have fun looking at the detailed pictures that show the busy boy "at work" and charmingly portray the relationship between him and his toddler sister, who is the typical tagalong. It is her pacifier that he picks out of the garbage, making everyone happy. The dappled artwork has a sturdy feeling that adds a realistic look to the world of imagination. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (August 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525469966
• ISBN-13: 978-0525469964
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #574,415 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful! Highly recommended., March 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms (Hardcover)

My four-and-a-half-year-old son absolutely loves this book (and so do his parents!) The author has really captured the wonderful way in which children pretend to become firefighters, construction workers, policemen, etc...This book not only makes for great bedtime reading, it can also inspire your child's imaginative play during the daytime. The pictures captivate my son's imagination and encourage him to use different household objects when taking off for the moon or rescuing pretend pets from fires. I hope MacLean writes another children's book soon.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable...and quite Memorable!, December 1, 2002

By 

Linda Barney Ridgway (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms (Hardcover)

As an educational consultant for fifteen + years and former elementary teacher, I am awed by this delightful story and its engaging illustrations. Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms is charming, tender, and often amusing. Our six-year old daughter asked us to read it again and again, and eventually she read parts to us. When asked what her favorite parts were, she said "everything!" She'll often select this book to read at bedtime, months after first reading it. Even Firefighters helps open discussions of herorism and courage, jobs and the world of work, but it also allows parents and teachers to talk about caring for others. I'd encourage anyone who enjoys this delightful picture book to consider using some of the well-designed enrichment activities and lessons developed by the Family Education Network. They are free for downloading, and will enhance your reading and enjoyment of Even Firefighters. I commend Ms. MacLean and Mr. Reed on their creativity, and look forward to a sequel.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What fun!, October 4, 2002

By 

Kate Convissor (Ludington, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Even Firefighters Hug Their Moms (Hardcover)

A very sweet book with the cadences and repetition kids love along with an understated humor and story line that entertains adults, too. I love the illustrations and the way they support the text without taking over. One of those magical children's books with the potential to become a classic.