Flash, the Little Fire Engine

by Pam Calvert, Jen Taylor (Illustrator)

Overview

It’s Flash’s first day on the job as a little fire engine—and it’s going to be a busy one! But Flash is ready to jump into action and save the day. The only problem is, every time Flash tries to pitch in, he is either too little or too late to help out. What if no one needs him? When a fire erupts in the middle of town, it looks like Flash might be the only one available to help. Does he have what it takes to save the day?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781542041782
Publisher:	Two Lions
Publication date:	11/05/2019
Pages:	40
Sales rank:	929,399
Product dimensions:	8.70(w) x 11.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	AD440L (what's this?)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Pam Calvert is an award-winning children’s book author. Her books include the Princess Peepers series, illustrated by Tuesday Mourning; more recently, Brianna Bright, Ballerina Knight, illustrated by Liana Hee; and other titles. Formerly a science teacher as well as a writing instructor and coach, she speaks to thousands of children every year. When she’s not speaking or writing, you can find her having fun with her family in Texas. Learn more about her online at www.pamcalvert.com.

About the Illustrator

Jen Taylor is an illustrator and arts-and-crafts enthusiast born and raised in New Jersey. She attended the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where she majored in illustration and animation. She is the illustrator of the Brave Little Camper series as well as the picture book Ninja Camp, written by Sue Fliess. She previously worked in animation on such shows as Sid the Science Kid and MAD. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and their corgi, Rocket. Learn more about her online at www.jentaylor.net.

Editorial Reviews

Calvert deftly finds a new way to introduce kids to different kinds of firefighting vehicles…sure to slip in effortlessly with other firetruck books.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Children will enjoy guessing where Flash is headed next, pointing out each type of vehicle, and discussing how the little engine feels. A story about never giving up, Calvert’s latest is well-suited for large picture book collections.” —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

11/01/2019

PreS-Gr 1—New to the job, fire engine Flash might just be the smallest rescue vehicle in town, but he's also one of the most ambitious. Every time the alarm sounds at the fire station, Flash is eager to get to the scene, but by the time he arrives, the fire is always too big or too tall. Other times, Flash just can't get there fast enough. When there's a fire at the local animal shelter, Flash finally gets to prove himself. The variety of vehicles and story line make this book a great choice for preschoolers. Children will enjoy guessing where Flash is headed next, pointing out each type of vehicle, and discussing how the little engine feels. Rendered in digital media, the illustrations don't bring anything new to the table, but they use perspective to effectively convey tone and emotion. As the other vehicles complete their rescues, Flash sits off to the side. Each time he sets out for a new location, his determined face and sound effects have a full page. Fans of Kate McMullan and Stephen Savage will love Flash. VERDICT A story about never giving up, Calvert's latest is well-suited for large picture book collections.—Liz Anderson, DC Public Library

School Library Journal

2019-08-12
A little fire engine discovers what it's good at by eliminating what it is not.

Who knew disappointment could be such a keen teaching tool? Narrator Flash is eager to demonstrate firefighting prowess, but every attempt to "save the day" yields bubkes. First Flash is too little to handle a fire at the airport (Crash, an airport crash tender, handles that one). Next Flash is too short to help a tall building that's on fire (that honor goes to Laddie, a turntable ladder). Finally, an airplane and a foam tender together solve a forest-fire problem. Only when a bridge is suddenly blocked by snow, with all the other trucks on the wrong side of it, does Flash have the opportunity to save a pet shelter that's ablaze. (Readers will note characters in shirtsleeves at the beginning of the book, so this is a very unexpected snowstorm.) Calvert deftly finds a new way to introduce kids to different kinds of firefighting vehicles by setting up Flash in opposition to situations where it's just not the best truck for the job. The anthropomorphized engines and planes irritatingly include unnecessary eyelashes on trucks with feminine pronouns, but this is mitigated by the fact that the girls get cool names like "Crash" and save the day first. Enthusiastic if unremarkable digital art presents both firefighters and citizens in an array of genders and races.

An innocuous telling, sure to slip in effortlessly with other firetruck books. (Picture book. 3-6)

Kirkus Reviews