Language Arts - English Language, Fire Fighting & Rescue, Careers & Occupations - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - General & Miscellaneous, Alphabet

Firefighters A to Z

Name: Firefighters A to Z
Author: Chris L. Demarest
ISBN: 9780689837982

by Chris L. Demarest

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Overview

A is for Alarm

that rings loud and clear.

B is for Boots

stowed in our bunker gear.

From A to Z, volunteer firefighter and fine artist Chris Demarest presents a day-in-the-life of firefighters whose job it is to answer the call to put out fires and save property and lives.

In a simple, informative text and with glowing realistic illustrations that thoroughly envelop the reader, the danger of fire and the courageous job firefighters do every day are brought to life for readers everywhere.

An alphabetic look at a firefighter's day.

Synopsis

A 2001 Children's Literature Choice

Every day, brave firefighters come to our rescue. When the fire alarm sounds, men and women put on their uniforms, slide down the firehouse pole, jump in their big red trucks, and rush to save our lives. From the minute the fire alarm rings, the day of a firefighter is filled with adventure — and danger. Wherever there is a fire, we can be sure that firefighters will always be there!

Parent Council Reviews

Check out this fascinating alphabet book written and illustrated by a real volunteer firefighter. A must-have for anyone interested in being a firefighter, this book relates a firefighter's on-the-job experiences through the use of the alphabet. Beautifully illustrated in pastels—the fire looks almost real! 2000, Simon & Schuster, $16.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: M. Thomas SOURCE: Parent Council, September 2001 (Vol. 9, No. 1)

About the Author, Chris L. Demarest

Chris L. Demarest says: "A few years ago my wife and I brought our two-year-old son to an open house at a fire station. Ethan loved the big red fire trucks and I became totally enthralled not only by the trucks, but by the idea of serving my community as a firefighter.

"Being a full-time illustrator, I work at home, so I could be on call at any time. I took a lot of classes, passed some hard tests, and became a volunteer firefighter. I am on call for the Meriden, New Hampshire, station, where I now get to drive those big red fire trucks.

"I created Firefighters A to Z to show Ethan and other children what firefighting is really like. It can be an exciting job, but it's also a dangerous one. I hope to convey that through this book."

Reviews

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Editorials

Children's Literature

This book arrived just in time for fire safety week, making it the perfect trial situation. It was a big hit with the kindergarten. The format is a familiar "A is for...", but the text has a rhythm that keeps it fresh. A storyline is contained within the format. It takes the reader from the first ring of the alarm to a fire scene, and ends with the tired firefighters zipping into bed for a rest. Interesting objects are introduced throughout the story--ones that are foreign to those outside of the field. The author, who is a volunteer firefighter, adds a note at the end of the story to explain the dangers of fire and why it is so important to educate children about the business of firefighting. Large, colorful illustrations dominate each page to bring the simple lines of text to life. 2000, Margaret K. McElderry Books,

From The Critics

School Library Journal

K-Gr 2-Demarest takes a different approach to the subject in this rhyming alphabet book. Despite the simplicity of the format, a great deal of information is conveyed in the one line of text per page. While the author's note at the end elaborates on how a "K-tool" works and how "sounding" is done, the rhymes themselves are natural and meaningful. "G is for Go as we race at full speed./H is for Hoses and Hydrants we need." The bold pastel illustrations are dramatic and convey the action in an appealing manner. Karen Magnuson Beil's Fire in Their Eyes (Harcourt, 1999) uses full-color photographs for a more realistic portrayal of her subject. Nevertheless, Firefighters is sure to spark the interest of young enthusiasts.-Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Demarest (The Cowboy ABC, 1999, etc.), a volunteer firefighter himself, pays tribute to the intrepid men and women who do it professionally. Matching big, boldface captions to boldly brushed scenes of yellow-suited, heroically posed figures in action, he focuses less on truck and gear than on the dangerous work itself: "I is for Inside. Start the primary search. / J is for Jump if you feel the floor lurch ." The author opens with a labeled sketch of a firefighter in full battle array, explains special terms in an afterword, and in between sends a company zooming through busy city streets to face a raging house fire. Parts of this will be new even to avid young fans of the occupation and its trappings; and though there are no specific cautions, the underlying message about the importance of fire safety will not go astray. (author's note) (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-7)