Review by Booklist Review
Decidedly less flat-footed than most introductions to the police, this picture book uses a bit of story to show what officers do and amiable artwork to make them seem more approachable. Four people arrive at the police station one morning, change into their uniforms, and get to work. When a broken traffic light is reported, Sergeant Santole dispatches Officer Mike. A lost child who uses a police call box is rescued by Officer Jan, while Officer Carl apprehends two robbers fleeing on foot! The cheerful, rhyming text concludes: Situation? Under control! / When people need help, we rock and roll!' Alley's colorful illustrations will engage children with intriguing details of life in this bustling town. The use of animated facial expressions and body language even for peripheral characters contributes to the sense that this town is full of stories stories with happy endings for almost everyone. A nice read-aloud pick for community-helper units.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Sergeant Santole dispatches Officers Mike, Jan, and Carl to spots around town that require their expertise. Mike in his police car attends to a broken traffic light, Jan on horseback reconnects a small child with his mom, and Carl runs to a crime scene where robbers are not only stealing money, but are also taking off with the ATM machine. Each scenario ends with the refrain, "When people need help,/we rock and roll." The hilarious cartoon illustrations effectively convey excitement and brisk movement, as each conscientious worker launches into action with "Uniform! Badge! Radio!" and brings the situation under control. Though the story is slight and the rhyme scheme forced, preschoolers will be reassured that special people are there to assist in a variety of circumstances and see that their jobs require all kinds of cool tools.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Dispatched by Sergeant Santole, Officer Mike fixes a traffic problem, Officer Jan reunites a mother and child, and Officer Carl thwarts a robbery. Their (annoying) motto: "When people need help / we rock and roll!" Bustling illustrations chock full of extra plot details bolster the repetitive text. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
After a previous title celebrating firefighters (Firefighters to the Rescue, illustrated by Rich Davis, 2005), Hamilton addresses another civil servantpolice officers. Calls come in to the squad room, where Sergeant Santole dispatches officers to take care of each problem. A broken traffic light? That's Officer Mike's job on traffic patrol in Car 3. He leaves the turtles he is helping across the road and rushes to direct traffic. A lost little boy in the park? Officer Jan on mounted patrol leaves the tourists she is helping with directions and gallops to help. Bank robbers? Officer Carl on crime patrol leaves the peanut-thieving squirrels to save the day. "Situation? / Under control! / 'When people need help, / we rock and roll.' " While the rhymes don't always scan well, the repetition and catchy rhythm will have kids chiming in. Charming details and expressive faces abound in Alley's illustrations, which reassuringly reinforce the message that police officers can handle any emergency. A good introduction for the youngest audiences. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
