Fireman Small: Fire Down Below!

My 3 ½-year-old son loves Fireman Small. He identifies with the fireman's diminutive stature and is entertained by the shenanigans of the silly animals he rescues. We both think Fireman Small Fire Down Below! is the best book ever. The illustrations are deceptively simple. From my son's point-of-view they are easy to understand and lively. I find them witty, complex, and beautifully composed. The singsong rhythm of the text makes it easy for me to read it over and over--as my son demands. Unlike many children's books, this one rewards multiple readings with new surprises. Don't miss the little mouse who turns up in odd places. While this book definitely charms kids, there are also amusing little vignettes that appeal to a grownup sensibility.

Fireman Small returns in this humorous story with an important message about fire safety. Yee uses a variety of fire safety words and phrases in order to help young children learn what to do during a fire, for example: ?No, no, No, not the elevator!?, ?grab a wet towel to cover your head?, ?stop, drop, and roll? and others. With the fire on the bottom floor of the hotel, Fireman Small has to help the people get to the roof. In humorous drawings and rhyming text, Yee shows Fireman small feeling the door to see if it is hot, pulling the fire alarm, knocking on doors to get guests out, etc. Great for a read aloud story time, especially during Fire Safety month. Some vocabulary terms (hotel, elevator, stairwell, fire escape) may need to be introduced prior to the reading, particularly in areas where children are not familiar with multi-story buildings.