Fire Truck [Hardcover]

Peter Sis (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Matt loves fire trucks, and one morning when he wakes up, he is a fire truck--right down to his hoses, hooks, and ladders! His wheels and sirens couldn't be handier for performing many important duties around the house, especially rescuing teetering teddy bears or precariously placed pets. And a gatefold spread of Matt's fully loaded rig will have happy young viewers counting from one to ten--over and over again--in this fun-filled ode to the classic red fire truck by Caldecott Honor-winning Peter Sis.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

What could be better to a fan of fire trucks than playing with them and reading about them all day long? Well, how about being one! That is just what happens to Matt, a little boy whose first and last words every day are "fire truck." Imagine his happy surprise when he wakes up one morning and discovers he has sprouted wheels, flashing lights, and sirens! Matt wastes no time. He drives around the "neighborhood" (his house) rescuing cats and teddy bears, and putting out fires. There's only one thing that can tear this dedicated fire truck away from his work: pancakes on the table!

Peter Sís's wonderful red and black gouache illustrations are old-fashioned in their sweet simplicity. Combined with a little counting practice thrown in for good measure (one driver, two ladders, three hoses, on up to 10 boots), this book is bound to please the fire-truck-obsessed child on your list. Sís is the award-winning illustrator of many well-known books, including another excellent ode to vehicles, Trucks, Trucks, Trucks. (Preschool) --Emilie Coulter

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Sis blends simple text with bold pictures to give insight into one boy's vivid imagination. Matt's passion for fire engines permeates his whole life: "His first words in the morning were 'fire truck.' The last thing he said before he went to bed was 'fire truck.'" Not content just to play fireman, Matt wakes up and finds that he has actually become a fire truck. Only the insistent aroma of pancakes can bring him out of his enticing daydream. One simple sentence per picture allows for plenty of page turning without sacrificing the clear story line. A fold-out page of the fire truck accompanied by a numbered list of items to look for can be read as part of the narrative or returned to later as a find-and-count game. Matt's pajamas and cap are flamboyant red like his extensive collection of toy trucks, while other details of home are reduced to plain black outlines, showing how imaginary worlds can seem more real than everyday life. Small groups of toddlers will love tearing around the room making siren noises just like Matt. This short, active story (plus the undeniable allure of fire engines) is perfect for children who have just discovered the joys of pretending.
Torrie Hodgson, Burlington Public Library, WA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 28 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1st edition (September 17, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688158781
• ISBN-13: 978-0688158781
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #108,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Imaginative and fun Fire Truck book!, January 18, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Truck (Hardcover)

My two year old son really enjoys this book -- so does his two year old cousin (we gave him a copy!). This is an imaginative story about a little boy who loves fire trucks. When he "becomes" a fire truck, the little boy puts out a fire, rescues a cat and teddy bear, and finally, drawn by the smell of pancakes, pulls up at the kitchen table where he parks his truck. The last picture shows the little boy eating a large plate of pancakes. The illustrations are great -- simple but clever drawings. On one page, there is a large diagram of a fire truck, and the items on the fire truck can be counted -- 2 ladders, 3 hoses, 10 boots, etc.). As an adult, I appreciate having interesting children's books around the house as I will be reading them over and over. This one is a winner.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3 year old loves this book!, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Truck (Hardcover)

We've probably read most every book there is about fire trucks and this remains the favorite. I like that we can count from 1 to 10 and learn while enjoying this delightful book.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book for the younger fire truck crazy set, April 30, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Fire Truck (Hardcover)

At 18 months, my son couldn't get enough of this book, and at two, he still asks for it frequently. I think the age range for the book is too high, causing the frustration expressed by other reviewers. The simple illustrations are perfect for the younger child, and the counting feature is terrific. For older kids, try Fireman Small.