Customer Reviews

Tito, the Firefighter/Tito, el bombero (Bilingual)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a great story! Children always love a book in which the child becomes "the teacher" and helps out the adult. The look on Tito's face as he translates for Richie, the firefighter, is priceless...Even more so when he returns from his adventure! Tito lives out every little boy's dream.
The bright full-page illustrations are filled with detail, right down to the page numbers inside a fire shield. My students cheered for Tito, the Firefighter!

Rebeccasreads highly recommends TITO THE FIREFIGHTER / TITO EL BOMBERO as a charming bilingual tale about a New York boy who helps a fire station answer a Spanish speaker's call for help, & then gets to ride on the fire engine.

With huge bold pictures by Kimberly Hoffman, Tim Hoppey tells a lively tale that will thrill your children.

Sure, there are fire trucks and firefighters, and big adventure...enough on their own to capture any five-year-old's attention. As a mom, it was my little boy's immediate interest in the Spanish words and phrases that captured mine. Woven into this delightful children's storybook was my son's first Spanish lesson, and a golden opportunity to discuss cultural differences, and how our lives are enriched when we all work together. Thank you, Tim Hoppey.

Me paree increible que alquien se tome el tiempo de escribir en dos idimas para ensenar a los ninos sobre un tema tan interesante, El libro es facil de entender y super bien ilustrado.
Felicitaciones l
Claudia Crilley

I had to bring my favorite book to school for Show and Tell. I brought Tito, the Firefighter because I love firetrucks. I like the story and the pictures, and I learned some new Spanish words. My teacher read it to my class and everyone clapped for Tito. I think you should read this book, too.

The concept of promoting positive community involvement is explained to children through this bilingual picture book, written by a New York City firefighter. This book highlights the fact that firefighters are important members of a community. Bold, bright illustrations complement the simple text that is well suited to emergent readers. This book is sure to appeal to children and would be a solid addition to bilingual picture book collections.

Barbara A. Mascaro, District Elementary Librarian, Brentwood Public Schools, NY

The text is not in the two languages of English and Spanish, but rather the bilingual eight-year-old Tito uses some Spanish words in telling his story. Passing in front of a firehouse in Spanish Harlem, Tito sees a man gesturing excitedly and speaking Spanish to one of the fireman. Tito interprets what the man is saying: he saw coming from a window. Then Tito goes with the firemen in their truck to investigate. It's only a pot of rice smoldering when it was left on a stove by a woman when she fell asleep in her apartment. But the incident gives Tito the chance to learn what firemen are like and see how they react to a fire. Tim Hoppey, the author of this simple children's tale, is himself a fireman, who was involved in the 9/11 rescue efforts. Ages 3-6.

Written in English but introducing 17 Spanish words, Tito, the Firefighter is the story of a young boy who lives in East Harlem where most of the residents speak Spanish as their first language. Tito wants to be a firefighter but he is too young. Finally he finds an opportunity to help the firemen when a person needs help but cannot speak English. An inspiring book for young children and a good way to learn Spanish vocabulary, Tito, the Firefighter is a recommended read.

"Tito, the Firefighter" is a great example of bi-lingual books for early readers! The repetitive language patterns in both English and Spanish allows young readers to easily interpret meanings. Using firemen and fire engines is a good method for gaining the attention of children. Additional titles of this caliber are needed in our libraries!

Cathy Casler
Library Media Specialist
Glens Falls, NY

June 26, 2005

This is the story of 8 year old Tito, a boy who gets the chance to make his dream come true after he translates for a Spanish speaking elderly gentlemen. The older man arrives at the fire station to report a fire, opening the doors for Tito to ride the fire truck.

Written mainly in English with key words in Spanish, "Tito the Firefighter" reads more or less in the stereotype "barrio" way of speaking. Unfortunately this cute tale is not such a good tool for teaching.

However, the book does contain a vocabulary and great illustrations that will capture young readers.

Reviewed by Betsie