The Good Fire Helmet

The Good Fire Helmet is a story about being brave in everyday life and believing in yourself.

Ten-year-old Tommy and six-year-old Christian treasure the firefighter's helmet that once belonged to their dad. The chaplain had told the boys, "If you just touch your fingers to this fire helmet, its courage can be given to you. A good fire helmet has been known to do that."

Christian believes the helmet makes him brave when he gets a shot at the doctor's office and wards off scary shadows at night, but his big brother isn't so sure.

Tommy's real test of courage comes the day Christian falls into the creek and is swept downstream, along with the helmet. Tommy draws on memories of his dad--and the courage he finds inside himself--to rescue his brother.

“…a touching story about what it means to be brave. … McElrath-Eslick adds to the story with her paintings of warm tones and lush brush strokes that capture the boys’ emotions, taking young readers on a journey of loss and growing up.” —Gina Gilligan, The Grand Rapids Press

Mom's Choice Awards Gold Recipient

TIM HOPPEY worked as a New York City firefighter stationed in Spanish Harlem for 27 years. In addition to fighting fires, he ran summer rafting trips on the Delaware River for inner city boys.

Tim is the author of several children’s books. He was inspired to write The Good Fire Helmet after witnessing the courage of two young sons of a fallen firefighter and realizing the courage all kids need in their everyday life.

An All-America lacrosse player, Tim still enjoys throwing the ball around with his three adult children. He lives with his wife, Ellen, on Long Island.

An award-winning illustrator, LORI McELRATH-ESLICK has illustrated many children’s books. She used oils to create the rich, emotional scenes in The Good Fire Helmet.

Her work has also appeared in magazines, including Highlights for Children, Ladybug, and National Wildlife. Her many awards include multiple Magazine Merit Awards from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the International Reading Association’s Storyteller Award, Parent’s Choice Award, and the 2009 Bank Street College’s list of Best Children’s Books of the Year.

Lori’s paintings appear in university and public library exhibits and collections around the country. She lives with her family in Michigan, where she enjoys painting, camping, swimming, and cross-country skiing.