Smokejumpers One to Ten [Hardcover]

Chris L. Demarest (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2002

ONE lightning bolt, in a flash, strikes a tree.

TWO pilots radio in what they see.

THREE rings, the dispatcher answers the call.

FOUR eager smokejumpers race down the hall.

What are smokejumpers?

They are trained wildland firefighters who parachute into remote areas to extinguish fires. They are men and women who are on the front lines fighting forest and wildfires in order to save the environment from fire destruction. They are strong, dedicated, and brave.

With action-packed pictures and a simple, informative text, volunteer firefighter and fine artist Chris L. Demarest shows us how smokejumpers perform their unusual and difficult job of keeping all of us safe.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

As he did in Firefighters A to Z, Chris L. Demarest now follows the firefighters of the forest in Smokejumpers One to Ten. "One lightning bolt, in a flash, strikes a tree. Two pilots radio in what they see." Dramatic pastels illustrate the action in this informative counting book. Ages 5-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-This rhyming counting book, from 1 to 10 and down again, starts with 1 lightning bolt striking a tree that sets off a series of events leading to smokejumpers aptly performing their duties to help put out a forest fire. The colorful pastel illustrations are action-packed and make up for the sometimes weak language. Two additional illustrations, one diagramming a smokejumper outfit and the other showing wildland firefighter gear, frame the counting. Unfamiliar terms such as "misery whip" and "slurry" are explained in an appended author's note aimed at older or adult readers. This section discusses smokejumping as a career, training, equipment, risks, and safety issues. Elaine Landau's Smokejumpers (Millbrook, 2002) is loaded with photographs, but is for an older audience. Children will pick up Smokejumpers One to Ten right away-the cover is compelling. All told, this is a good choice for browsing and will be useful for fire-safety units.
Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books (June 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689841205
• ISBN-13: 978-0689841200
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #54 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Safety

More About the Author

Born in the 1950s, Chris Demarest was influenced by both his parents' artist abilities. His mother once worked for the Walt Disney animation studios and his father was a life-long doodler. In the upstairs attic of his parents' house, Demarest's father escaped to draw pictures of airplanes. That passion led his father to join the US Army Air Force in WWII, flying the dangerous missions from India into China, referred to as 'the Hump".

Demarest spent most of his years in publishing doing a cartoon, light-hearted style, but tapped into his youth and began working on a series of adventure books. Firefighters A to Z became a NY Time Best Book 2000. Documenting more firefighting careers, USCG work and the Hurricane Hunters, Demarest does all his research first hand. In 2004, he flew with the Hurricane Hunters out of Biloxi Mississippi into Hurricane Ivan, a Cat 4 storm.

His latest book, ARLINGTON: A History of Arlington National Cemetery will be published by Roaring Brook Press, Fall 2010.

Contact info: [e-mail]
Website: http://www.pbase.com/chrisdemarest
603 460-3095

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliantly Written and Illustrated, May 21, 2003

By 

Tara C Rothwell (Portola, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Smokejumpers One to Ten (Hardcover)

I must say that I was apprehensive about a book about smokejumping. My 3 and 5 year old sons are the progeny of former smokejumper parents. They really know smokejumping! Since they loved Firefighters A to Z I knew we had to get this book, though.
Needless to say we weren't disappointed. The illustrations are large, brilliant, and true to life in their portrayal of the work of the smokejumper. The text is accurate, simple, yet elegantly descriptive. Oh yes! And the kids love to count along with the pictures and text. My son brought this one (proudly) to preschool and it quickly became such a favorite amongst the kids that the the teacher had to purchase her own copy for the school.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Smokejumper one to ten, January 15, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Smokejumpers One to Ten (Hardcover)

My two year old grandson loves the book. His parents are smokejumpers and not only does he look at the book he also names the jumpers using his parents name but he also can count and repeat some of the words on his own. He knows the story well. He use to take his sisters book to his room all the time how he has his own. It gets used a lot. The book contains some inaccurate information in what the smokejumpers are doing.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for kids who are into adventure, July 6, 2009

By 

Tracy Sundberg "bookophile" (Issaquah, WA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Smokejumpers One to Ten (Hardcover)

I love the books that Chris Demarest writes. His pitures are beautiful, accurate and he includes details that really interest my 5 year old, who has loved this book since he was 3. A classic.