My Fire Engine [Hardcover]

Michael Rex (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

A Children's Book-of-the-Month Club Selection.

A young child imagines that he is a firefighter, and narrates the action as the siren rings and the firefighters put on their gear, race to the scene, and save the day. Readers are taken on an exciting ride from the start of a fire to the suspense-filled finish. When his work is done, the young firefighter puts away his truck --until next time!

This book is just right for young readers: simple and accessible, yet chock-full of details, right down to the firefighter's fire-resistant pants and coat. Fire safety tips are included in the back.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-A young boy takes out his toy fire truck and narrates an adventure filled with excitement and danger as he and his fellow firefighters battle a blaze. The story flows freely as the author blends factual information into the text: "I jump into the Pumper Engine and we're off. The siren blares to let people know we're coming." The action continues at the site of the fire with various firefighters assuming important roles: "The ladder crew breaks windows and makes holes in the roof to let out the heat, smoke, and poison gas." The house is saved and everyone is safe, including the family's pet rattlesnake. The last scene shows the boy in his room playing with realistic-looking toy fire engines, a cardboard "house," plastic figurines, and a small toy snake. This charming story is neatly illustrated with colored-pencil cartoons featuring bright reds, potent greens, and cheerful yellows, all of which look extra sharp on the crisp white background. Fire safety tips are displayed on the back cover. A nice addition for collections where this is a hot topic.
Lisa Gangemi Krapp, formerly at Sousa Elementary School, Port Washington, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

For the same audience that took to Peter Ss's Fire Truck (1998), a spirited little educational fantasy from Rex (The Painting Gorilla, 1997). In a very young voice, a small boy describes his work as a firefighter. He covers equipment and tactics in crisp, no-nonsense sentences: ``I jump into the Pumper Engine and we're off. The siren blares to let people know we are coming. The Aerial Ladder Truck is right behind us. We drive quickly, but very safely.'' For so staccato a beat, the text is surprisingly soothing and quite authentically ingenuous. Softening the litany of fire-fighting facts (``The engine carries 750 gallons of water. That's equal to 25 full bathtubs'') is a modest episode of heroism in which a pet snake is rescued from the flamesall in a day's work. Adding an overall note of warmth in vivid red, yellow, and blue are Rex's colored-pencil illustrations, a medium that here is unrivaled in its welcoming and immediate appeal. (Picture book. 3-6) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (March 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805053913
• ISBN-13: 978-0805053913
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,866,662 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Illustrator Michael Rex is the author and illustrator of many books for children. He lives in the Bronx, New York.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An imaginitive twist to the emergency vehicle story, March 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: My Fire Engine (Hardcover)

A creative storyline and delightful, bold illustrations make this book a real attention-grabber. We now own a library full of fire engine books, and this is one of my 2-year-old's most beloved. The exciting details of a day in the life of a firefighter are told through the vibrant imagination of a young boy. A refreshing break from the anatomical-style vehicle books, yet just as exciting for my little guy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars covers all the 'essentials', August 19, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: My Fire Engine (Hardcover)

...The illustrations are clear, and the text is in short sentences -- loaded with information without getting 'too much'. We also like it because it's real people, not animals, in the illustrations (Vs. Fire Fighter Piggy Wiggy for example). The story follows a boy as part of a fire company on the mission of fighting a house fire from alarm sounding to putting things away until next time. Our 4-year-old sons love to 'read' this book to each other -- great on car trips!

5.0 out of 5 stars book review, May 17, 2009

By 

A. Giles - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: My Fire Engine (Hardcover)

What an awesome book for the young child who is interested in fire fighters. This book is full of great illustrations as well as great information about fire fighters. A wonderful addition to your home library.