Kirkus calls FIRE PUPS TO THE RESCUE! by Lisa Desimini “an engaging tale that sheds light on the efforts of community helpers”
Dogs get fired up about their jobs.
Children interested in the vital work that firefighters do will be fascinated by this easy-to-understand book that offers a reassuring perspective. Created with paper collage and paint and finished digitally, the illustrations provide insight into the work of four adorable, eager, helmeted Dalmatian puppies named Spot, Zippy, Wink, and Pip as they use their remarkable sensory skills to aid their human partners. Readers will learn how the highly efficient two-legged firefighters and the fire pups help humans and nonhumans alike at the scene of a fire: The firefighters expertly battle a blaze and evacuate human residents, while the pups do equally crucial work bringing family pets to safety. The fire pups receive special training to learn to carry out their tasks and offer friendly cheer to their firehouse partners. Readers will especially appreciate the onomatopoeic sound effects incorporated into the text, representing, among other things, firehouse-bell clangs and blaring sirens. The firefighters are racially diverse. Backmatter offers information on the history of fire dogs and notes that while Dalmatians no longer run along horse-drawn fire brigades as they once did, they “still have a place of honor at the firehouse.”
An engaging tale that sheds light on the efforts of community helpers.