Review by Booklist Review
Simple rhyming text paired with colorful, upbeat art offer children an accessible overview of general fire-drill rules. In a busy classroom, students read and play, but then a fire alarm rings, and the rhythmic lines give instructions: Out the door. Down the stairs. Stay in line. Stay in pairs. After their teacher's OK, the kids return inside for stickers and hugs. The story's realistic elements include the children's diverse responses to the noise hands over ears; running to the teacher and their excitement to be outside, although they are reminded, Stop right there. Find your place. Do not climb. Do not chase. All concludes with, That was fun. What a thrill! Fire drill! Appealing, cheerful illustrations in elemental shapes and colors and vibrant patterns portray the multicultural group and familiar school settings. Although some may object to the view of fire drills as a fun activity, the book does provide a general introduction for adults to help kids understand the importance of the exercise.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
The lively activity of young children comes to a halt when they hear the school fire alarm. Startled faces look to teachers as the direct, rhythmic text introduces the rules and procedures for a fire drill: "Do not run. / Do not talk. / Watch the teacher. / Walk. Walk. Walk." Colorful cut-paper collage fills the pages with texture and movement. (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
"Simple done well" sums up this exploration of a near-universal childhood experience. Avoiding the preponderance of safety-focused fire books that have hit the market lately, the husband-and-wife writing team focuses instead on a fire drill that kindergarteners practice at their school. Rhyming verse gently eases listeners into the rhythm of a typical kindergarten day...until loud bells surprise them all. The two adults calmly lead the children through the drill, the text emphasizing the usual fire-drill rules: "Do not run. / Do not talk. / Watch the teacher. / Walk. Walk. Walk." Lee's cut-paper collages add texture to the illustrations, with vibrant clothing patterns as accents. The multicultural cast of children accurately portrays the activities kindergarteners are involved in, as well as their enthusiasm in doing them. Subtle details gear readers up for the fire alarm: the extinguisher on the wall, the fire truck one group plays with and the book another group is reading. Every classroom should start the year off with this one. (Picture book. 4-6)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
