Firehorse Max - Hardcover

London, Sara

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 006205094X ISBN 13: 9780062050946

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1997

Synopsis

Grandpa Lev buys Firehorse Max from the firehouse after the fire company replaces all the horses with brand-new engines, but no one had explained to Firehorse Max that his job was done, so when the fire bell rings, Firehorse Max breaks away and runs off to help.

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 3. When Grandpa Lev's horse becomes too old to pull his peddler's wagon, the elderly man purchases Max, a music-loving creature, since the fire department's acquisition of two new engines has made his job as a fire horse obsolete. It seems like a perfect plan, except that every time the fire bells sound, Max takes off, scattering Grandpa Lev's goods all over town. Lev, once a musician in a famous orchestra in the old country, finally solves the problem by playing his violin to soothe the horse whenever he is tempted to run to a fire. Arnold's watercolor, cartoon-style illustrations evoke life in a small Vermont town at the turn of the century. The dress of its inhabitants (long gowns, hats, parasols, cutaway coats, suspenders, middie-blouses, and high-buttoned shoes); the peddler's wagon stuffed with goods; the unpaved streets; and the small shops all contribute to the sense of place and time. The text, too, presents a small, close-knit community where neighbors know and support one another. However, although Lev has to make more than one attempt to solve his problem with his new horse, the solution seems to come too quickly, and the story suffers a bit from a lack of tension. A surprisingly quiet tale, given the plot elements, without much suspense or action.?Marianne Saccardi, Norwalk Community-Technical College, CT
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

When Grandpa Lev's horse, Bubba, gets too old to pull his wagon, the elderly peddler has a problem. Luckily, the fire department has modernized with the purchase of two new engines and all the firehorses are to be auctioned off. Grandpa Lev and his grandchildren, Simon and Yetty, bid on Maximilian, a handsome black horse with a white star on his forehead, because Max seems to enjoy the fiddle music he hears at the auction. Grandpa Lev loves music, too, and was a violinist in the old country. All goes well on Max's first day until a fire bell clangs; the horse is off like a shot, with all Grandpa Lev's wares strewn across town. With his violin, Grandpa Lev changes the firehorse's old habits to those of a peddler's best friend. Although it's wordy, newcomer London's tale, based on family stories, has the ring of authenticity. It's well- paced and mostly smooth, with gentle touches of humor and an original resolution. Fluid line-and-watercolor illustrations complement the story by conjuring up the entire community and depicting Max in action in the old-fashioned streets. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 006205094X
• ISBN 13: 9780062050946
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Arnold Ann