Review by Booklist Review
PreS^-K. A little boy pretends to be a firefighter, a police officer, a doctor, and more. He's such a busy boy that every time his mother points out that even police officers, ambulance drivers, and firefighters take time to hug their moms, he pleads work. Not until he's a garbage truck driver and fishes a special item out of the trash does he allow the happy "customer" to hug him. MacLean really captures how single-minded children can sometimes be, and she gets right inside the fantasy world that allows a tower of couch cushions to become a burning building and a laundry basket to become an ambulance. The story goes on a little too long, but children will have fun looking at the detailed pictures that show the busy boy "at work" and charmingly portray the relationship between him and his toddler sister, who is the typical tagalong. It is her pacifier that he picks out of the garbage, making everyone happy. The dappled artwork has a sturdy feeling that adds a realistic look to the world of imagination. --Ilene Cooper
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-In this celebration of the imagination, a busy youngster concocts a series of pretend games, using toys, furniture, household objects, and even his baby sister to complete each scenario. First, as Big Frank, he puts on his protective gear, grabs Firefighter Sally, rushes to a burning building in a hook-and-ladder truck, and uses a long-hosed vacuum to battle a blaze. Next, as Officer Dave, he and Rex the police dog (his sister) place a wagonload of stuffed-animal criminals safely behind bars. As the creative child takes on these and other intriguing roles, his mother asks him repeatedly to pause long enough to give her a hug, but he is always too involved to stop his play. The sought-after squeeze is finally awarded on the last page. The boy narrates his adventures in accessible language that expresses his excitement and provides inventive details. Mom's recurrent request makes a familiar refrain that adds a bit of humor to the story and helps to connect the child's flights of fancy to the everyday world. Mixing realistic images with shimmering textures and soft edges, the artwork extends the text and fleshes out each scene. Golf clubs stuck between an ottoman and an easy chair become the gears of a front loader, a ceiling fan becomes a Coast Guard helicopter, and stacked-up boxes make a perfect rocket. A good pick for sparking pretend play and maybe even an occasional embrace.-Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
When he's pretending to be a firefighter, a police officer, an EMT, a garbage collector, or another worker committed to serving his community, a young boy is too busy to hug his mom. Children will respond to the titular refrain and to the satisfying conclusion, in which the hard-driving little boy shows his soft side. The warm illustrations play a pivotal role in bringing the boy's active imagination to life. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two busy children use their imaginations to become firefighters, EMTs, police officers, and more, but they still take time to give their mother the affection she desires. When couch cushions become ground control for a space shuttle launch and a cage full of stuffed animals becomes a jailhouse full of criminals, it's obvious that some imaginative young people are hard at work. Playing along, their mother repeatedly reminds them that construction workers, helicopter pilots, and "even firefighters hug their moms." Too busy to stop, this little boy and his younger sister seem to fly from one game to the next, but they finally pause to give their mother a reluctant hug. A sheepish grin from the young boy makes it clear that he enjoys the affection as well. Amusing and colorful illustrations feature the creative duos work as they turn every imaginable object into one of their toys. Riding on the wave of stories featuring everyday heroes, this story of imaginative youngsters is appealing if ultimately an extra. (Picture book. 3-6)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
