Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey

I have been an educator for 30 years, and mother for 12. I have a doctoral degree in special education. I was so touched by this book that I have donated copies to libraries, in addition to buying them for friends with and without young children. As a native New Yorker now living in another state, I struggled daily to explain 9/11 to my students and my own children. Not until I saw "Fireboat" did I have a children's book to help my explanations. None of us can ignore what happened in 2001. I have seen parents and teachers try, and their children became more confused and scared by the secrecy than they would have been by an open discussion of the events. I applaud the sensitive story, the beautiful artwork, and the idea that, out of the terror and horror of 9/11, we can find positive acts and hope. I recommend this book to parents everywhere.

I guess I'm somewhat taken aback by some of the reviewers who apparently read the book to their children, or got partway through it, without having looked it over themselves first. Sorry, that's just irresponsible. The book is a fabulous treatment of a terrible subject that your children ARE aware of, and this helps explain how ordinary people became heroes that awful day.My 6-year old first fell in love with this book when he was 4, and he knows enough about 9/11 to know it was a horrible event. His dad (me) was next door to the WTC that morning, so he and his brother lived through waiting to hear from me with his mom. The book is sensitive and touching. It's a great book and I highly recommend it. If you think your child might have a problem with ANY book, you should always read it yourself first.

Fireboat. By Maira Kalman. 2002. 38 pages. $ 16.99Maira has done it again. She has written an extraordinary book about New York. Fireboat is a book about the tragedy of 9/11. The book focuses more on the Heroes than the tragedy. This book will be a good tool for teachers and parents to use to help explain the event. Fireboat is about a fireboat named Harvey. She starts with the history of the boat back in 1931. She also tells about other events that happened in 1931, "Snickers hit the stores... the word HOT-CHA was invented." Then it moves forward to 1995. Harvey was going to be scrapped, but a group of friends save the boat and restore it. Then there is a gray page that moves to 9/11. The book then illustrates two planes flying toward the twin towers. She then has a vivid illustration of the towers exploding. Maira then does a great job with describing the heroes and the crew of Harvey and then how Harvey had a great part in putting out the fires in New York after the attacks. The book then goes on to tell that Harvey was a hero and that heroes are "not forgotten". This book has great description, vivid and bold illustrations and great context. She does a great job writing a book that is so difficult to talk about. This book can be used with children to grade 4. However, with younger children a parent or teacher should be there to help explain the context since the illustrations are so vivid.

"New York City. 1931. Amazing things were happening big and small..." The Empire State Building was built, Babe Ruth hit his 611th home run, the Snickers candy bar was invented, the George Washington Bridge spanning the Hudson River was opened, and "on a sunny fresh day, the John J. Harvey fireboat was launched." "There were 12 fireboats in New York City. The Harvey was the largest, fastest and shiniest fireboat of them all." It traveled up and down the river fighting fires on boats and liners and at the busy piers. Fast forward to 1995. New York no longer needed fireboats, and The Harvey was retired and sat rusting, waiting to be sold for scrap. But then an amazing thing happened. A group of friends decided to buy and save The Harvey. They took her to a shipyard and fixed her up until she was bright and shiny and good as new. "And once again the Harvey was on the water." "But then on September 11, 2001 something so huge and horrible happened that the whole world shook..." The John J. Harvey and her new crew knew they had to help. "The water pipes were broken and buried. And the fire trucks that had raced to the scene could not pump water. The firefighters attached hoses to the Harvey..." The Harvey worked around the clock for four days, until the fires were under control. When it was finally time to go home, the crew had never seen anything so terrible, or felt so proud. "The Harvey was a hero. And everyone knew it." Maira Kalman's marvelous tribute to the John J. Harvey and all the brave people who sprang into action on 9/11 is inspiring, and filled with history, drama, courage, determination, and triumph. Her simple and straightforward text is complemented by her evocative, bold and busy illustrations that bring The Harvey's amazing story to life. Together, word and art paint a vivid and uplifting portrait that is poignant and touching, but won't overwhelm children with frightening and lurid details. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures Of The John J. Harvey is Ms Kalman at her best. This is a book the entire family should read and share together, and is sure open important discussions and dialogue.

With dynamic illustrations and words, Maira Kalman offers a remarkable story about the role of a fireboat in NYC on September 11. As a school librarian/media specialist, I have been sharing this book with 2nd grade and up... When I have shown the book to coworkers and friends, each person has been impressed with Kalman's book. Without a doubt, Fireboat is on its way to being a classic.