This was my favorite book when I was about 4. I had it memorized, so when my Mom read it to me, I would say the words with her. I keep this one on the coffee table in my therapy office as a book that is good for beginning readers. When there are behavioral problems with a child, one thing that sometimes suffers is the parent-child bond, because like in a couple relationship, the ratio of positive to negative interactions is critical to developing a stable and satisfying relationship. I emphasize increasing postive interactions, such as one-on-one time, that can include reading, to help balance the positive-to-negative ratio (I recommend 5-to-1, the same ratio that is critical to a marriage surviving, according to John Gottman's research). In therapy, I have the parent and child do some positive reading time together to model what this is like and troubleshoot any issues that can interfere with this relationship-nurturing activity, then have them go home and do it. I recommend at least 30 minutes per day, each day, while behavior problems are still heavy, which can decrease to a few times per week as things improve. This one-on-one time should not be behavior-contingent: the child shouldn't be able to lose it because of misbehavior.
Not a Little Golden Book I ever actually had growing up, but I picked this one up for the kiddo because A.) it looked fun; and B.) it was one of the few on the shelf at Waldenbooks that wasn't a Disney tie-in. I'm glad I did, because this is a really fun little book, and it's easy to see why they chose to label this a "Little Golden Book Classic" and put it up next to the likes of the Poky Little Puppy and Tuffy the Tugboat. A nice, easy-to-read-along-with story, and some of the best illustration I've seen in a kids' book from any era in quite a while - cartoony, but with a real sense of craft, almost New Yorker or Saturday Evening Post worthy, actually. Definitely worth picking up.
Do You like book The Fire Engine Book (2001)?
There are two important elements to any children’s read aloud – the text and the illustrations. Sometimes both are perfect, but more often than not one is more impressive than the other.The Fire Engine Book contained very sweet illustrations, but the accompanying text features no imagination whatsoever. Parents (or readers) will need to be prepared to supply details / create additional content to keep listeners entertained.Visit The Blithering Bookster to read more reviews!www.blitheringbookster.com
—Laura Verret
Personal Response: This book is fairly simple, but if utilized correctly, I see interesting possibilities with it. I see the most possibilities with reading aloud. The pictures take up the majority of the pages and are action-packed. They have lots of details and bright colors that will keep the children interested. Purposes: - ages 3-6 Read Aloud for Enrichment: - this book would be perfect to have children reenact because there is tons of action- can ask children what they know about firefighters (what do they do? would you ever be a firefighter?) Read Aloud for Curricular Purposes: - learn about onomatopoeia (clang, crash, chop)- could be used in a unit about communities
—Megan Mandl
It's nice to see that Little Golden Books continue to be published, especially earlier titles like this one that are so different in style from the picture books that see publication today. The Fire Engine Book allows the youngest children a look into what firemen actually do on a call, but without being at all frightening; no people are seen inside of the burning building, and the personal belongings that the fireman save from inside the place are humorous. I like reading nice, old-fashioned books like this one, books that haven't lost any of their value no matter how long ago they were published. The Fire Engine Book is very simple, without a real narrative, but I enjoyed it. I'd give it one and a half stars.
—Josiah
