Little Smokey

PreS-Gr 1--When a forest fire strikes, it's comforting to know there's a great team of brave planes at the Nif-C (National Interagency Fire Center) to put it out. Each plane has an important job and has earned a specific name. Bruno, the water scooper, dives down and scoops up water to pour on the flames. The Air Tanker is Buster; he flies fast and sprays water to douse the fire. Bertha, the biggest plane, is a V.L.A.T. (Very Large Air Tanker). She carries tons of red fire retardant to fight the big fires. There's one plane that wants to help the others but she's just too small. She practices and practices but the people in the tower still dismiss her. The little plane knows she can help the others so she waits for the perfect chance to show what she can do. This is an excellent story about bravery, patience, determination, and teamwork. The illustrations are beautifully drawn with bold colors and interesting perspectives. The planes have great facial expressions that make them come alive, while conveying information about how the planes are used to help put out the fires. Back matter provides more detail for children who want to know about wildfires and the crews who do so much to help. VERDICT This book will become a favorite for those who enjoy planes, firefighters, and more.--Barbara Spiri, Southborough Library, MA

The little spotter plane that could.Channeling old Disney shorts, Neubecker sets his tale among the aerial firefighters of the National Interagency Fire Center. When it comes to forest fires, the water-scooper and air-tanker planes have clearly defined jobs to do. One little plane, who hasn't even "earned her name" yet, yearns to help her companions, but her every attempt is denied. Then one day, a fire starts that can only be reached by someone small, fast, and brave, and the rest is history. The story of a little vehicle that could has been done before, but this book stands apart. Fully half the emergency planes featured are identified as female (including the biggest tanker and the titular heroine). Meanwhile, watercolor, pencil, and computer illustrations create thick evergreens engulfed in swirls of orange and red flames as white and gray smoke permeates the space that is left. So enthralling are these landscape scenes that they feel positively cinematic. Angled views often present the planes with just one eyeball instead of the two that are clearly present when seen face on, but this inconsistency is only mildly unnerving. Copious backmatter discusses how wildfires start, who fights them, who the crews are, what aerial firefighting is, what readers can do, and where readers can go for more wildfire information. This book may look like a classic, but with forest fires ever more frequent and intense, it's truly timely. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.