The Fire Cat (I Can Read Book 1) [Paperback]

Esther Averill (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 7, 1983 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Series: I Can Read Book 1 | Lexile Measure: 400L (What's this?)

Pickles is a young cat with big paws and big plans. But all he can find to do is chase other cats, until he is adopted by the local firehouse.

Knowing that this is his chance to do big things, Pickles works hard to be a good fire cat. He learns to jump on a fire truck. He learns to help put out a fire, and he even helps out in a rescue!

Beginning readers will cheer when Pickle's dream finally comes true.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Quiet, captivating text...precise, beautiful watercolor illustrations...a lovely story with lots of child appeal." -- -- School Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Esther Averill is the author and illustrator of many books for children, including the well-known Cat Club stories about Jenny Linsky and her friends.

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Reprint edition (September 7, 1983)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0064440389
• ISBN-13: 978-0064440387
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Values
  • #37 in Books > Children's Books > Animals > Cats

More About the Author

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly charming April 14, 2004

By Sardan

Format:Paperback

I had a most unusual experience recently with this book. I was browsing at a local children's bookstore (sorry, Amazon!) when I saw this book on the shelf. A thrill of recognition shot through me like a bolt of lightning! This book had been one of my favorites (...).

I immediately purchased it, and read it to my kids. Have you ever had fond memories of something from your childhood, but found out when you revisited it as an adult that it didn't hold up over the years? Luckily, that is NOT the case with The Fire Cat--this book is every bit as wonderful today as it was 40 years ago.

The illustrations deserve comment. Esther Averill was amazingly deft in her illustrations of cats; anyone who has owned a cat will appreciate the subtle perfection of the way she captures the poses of the cat in various situations. Yet her illustrations of the people and objects in the story are pretty crude. They don't have the obvious charm of Maurice Sendak's work, or the zany energy of Dr. Seuss. But I assure you the illustrations will captivate any young reader as the perfect companions for the text.

And what a text! It is elegant and beautifully structured, yet it's so simple and straightforward that any preschooler can easily follow along. Pickles, the main character, starts off as a bit of a bully, but by the end he has completely redeemed himself and is a hero. I especially like that the good things that happen to Pickles don't just happen by chance, as they do in so many other children's stories--Pickles actually works hard to better himself.

This book is truly a classic. If your budget permits, spring for the library binding. I guarantee that if you get it for your kids, they will someday be reading it to their own kids!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My daughter's first real chapter book December 9, 2005

By Real World Reader

Format:Paperback

My daughter (she's six) just finished reading this book herself, out loud to me at bedtime. It took her four or five nights to read the three short chapters.

In the middle of the book, when Pickles the cat has a small triumph, she said "it makes me cry!" and at the end she said "I wish it just kept going". I felt so glad for her to have the experience of what it's like to read a good book - these are the feelings that make one a real book lover for life!

Like another recent reviewer I thought the pictures a little crude but the cats were remarkably cat-like; there was no effort to make them cute or cuddley. Yet, perhaps because of that simplicity, Pickles invokes a strong sense of feeling/identification as the he "grows" into a better cat through the three short chapters.

I think this was the perfect book for my daughter to read at this time. Just challenging enough, a great story and illustrations that work very well with the story. I'm also am glad to find a good children's book that's NOT about a boy (though Pickles IS a "he"); I'm sure all parents with daughters know that the vast majority of kid's books are about boy hero (yes I know there are some excellent exceptions) so a wonderful book that's not about a boy is a great find.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Blessed to have found this item here! July 22, 2005

By R. Finkenkeller

Format:Paperback

I was thrilled when after trying to track this item down everywhere, I found it here, CHEAP, in mint condition, and sent to me in less than 48 hours! This was my favorite book when I was in 2nd grade, and now my 6 year old son who started reading when he was 4 and is obsessed with firefighters & cats and dogs now counts it as one of his own favorites. If you have children, BUY THIS! And if you don't, get it now while you still have a place to find it so that you will have it to share in the future.