Firefighters A To Z - Hardcover

Demarest, Chris L.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0689837984 ISBN 13: 9780689837982

Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2000

Synopsis

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.

About this title

About the Author

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

Kindergarten-Grade 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 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Children fascinated by fire fighters will find plenty to please them in this large-format picture book, in part, because Demarest knows the subject firsthand: he's a member of a volunteer fire department. As the title suggests, the text is arranged alphabetically, beginning with "A is for Alarm that rings loud and clear. / B is for Boots stowed in our bunker gear." Though the rhyming verse is less satisfying than the dramatic artwork, the simplicity of the text makes this picture book accessible to kids young enough to be excited about fire engines. The large-scale, deeply colored pictures, ablaze with yellows and orange-reds, show broad scenes, such as two firefighters knocking down a wall and closer views, such as a firefighter's hand using a "kool-tool" to open a door. In three appended pages of notes, he discusses fire fighting and explains some aspects of the text. A colorful, dramatic introduction that future firefighters will adore. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0689837984
• ISBN 13: 9780689837982
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Demarest Chris L.
• Number of pages: 40