Fire Engine No. 9

Fire Engine No. 9

Told almost entirely in sound words, this day-in-the-life look at firefighters and their fire truck will appeal to the youngest vehicle enthusiasts and to parents with a penchant for exuberant read-aloud sessions. With art reminiscent of Donald Crews’s transportation books, Mike Austin evokes the excitement of a 911 call as we follow firefighters sliding down the fire pole, racing through town, and up the ladder truck. Includes fire safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. PreS-Gr 1—On a bright sunny day, Engine No. 9 responds to the fire at the corner of Fourth and Main. The first of three dramatic vertical spreads shows the firemen sliding down the pole. They suit up and rush to the engine, the rings of the alarm ("BRRRRIIING!") are repeated over and over in various letter sizes. Sandwiched between the black billowing smoke and the dark silhouettes of other vehicles, Engine No. 9 speeds forward with sirens blasting ("WEOOO! WEOOO! HONK! HONK!"). Youngsters are caught up in the same urgency as the firefighters, who quickly hook up their hoses and turn the water on the red-gold flames. Climbing the ladder to the second floor, a firefighter breaks a window, crawls under the smoke, and rescues a crying baby. Back on the ground, the family is safely reunited at Luigi's restaurant. The fire is out, and the equipment is stored away. The final spread shows a picnic at the fire station provided by Luigi's new food truck. Signs read "Thank you, ENGINE No. 9" and "ALL NEW! Mobile Lunch Buffet!" The endpapers feature fire equipment clearly labeled. A fire safety list from FEMA is included. VERDICT The exceptionally fine, full-color graphic artwork combined with the sound and action words make this book a surefire winner.—Mary Jean Smith, formerly at Southside Elementary School, Lebanon, TN “Bold and energetic, and complete with fire-safety tips and fire-gear endpapers, this is one surefire win for the firefighter fan.” — Kirkus Reviews  starred review "The simple emphatic text includes many forceful sound words… text placement, color, and size are integral parts of the dynamic illustrations.” — The Horn Book  starred review "“Highly recommended for young fire engine fans.” — Booklist  starred review MIKE AUSTIN is an illustrator and graphic designer. He lives in Hawaii and spends most of his time creating illustrations for his clients or working on his children’s books.