Fireman Small to the Rescue

My husband is a fireman, so my 5 year-old daughter has received many books about firefighters and fire trucks. This book has always been her favorite (so much so that we have had it memorized for years!) Now we have a 1 year-old son and he loves to have it read to him over and over. It's a wonderful book for new readers!

My 20 month old son LOVES this book. I did not understand the complaints parents made about their children wanting to hear books again and again until F.S. entered our library. He loves the illustration of our little hero sliding down his fire pole to the waiting truck, and raises his arms over his head and WHOOSHES when we get to the part where the fire is extinguished. He knows all the words by heart, and practically bounces in his seat as we recite them again and again (and again...). A very simple yet satisfying story with a happy ending.

Who knows why this book seems to have captured my one year old's imagination so intensely. My guess is its nice rhyme, brevity and clear, colorful pictures are a part of the answer. I know it's one of my favorites because the thought of a tiny firefighter, a beaver, a pig and a crocodile interacting tickles me everytime I read it.

My two and half year old and I both enjoy this book. I don't mind reading it's rhyming, fun sentences again and again, my son always enjoys it... and he's not even really into firetrucks! It's a pleasant break from construction equipment!

This colorful book with wonderful rhymes and aliteration is my 14-month-old son's favorite. And his parents do not get tired of reading it to him.