FIRE ENGINE NO. 9
From the No. 9 series
by Mike Austin ; illustrated by Mike Austin
It’s firefighters to the rescue in this action-packed homage to both the heroes and their truck.
Under a calm, blue sky, firefighters wash Engine No. 9. But then, an alarm! Crew members whoosh down the pole and dash for their gear. Horns blast and sirens wail as cleverly designed onomatopoeic text creates an urgent, dynamic energy. The actual meaning of the text, composed almost entirely of repeated sounds (“BRRRRRIIING!”; “WEOOO!”) and verbs (“HURRY!”; “CLIMB!”), is almost ancillary to its prominence as a design element, the large, blocky, sans serif words placed within illustrations for maximum effect. The firefighters follow the billowing black cloud to the blaze. With ladders, hoses, tools, and teamwork, they save a baby and extinguish the fire. The digital illustrations, with their strong color blocking and left-to-right drive, also play with format, as several vertical spreads thoughtfully emphasize the heights of the ladder and fire pole. A vivid, primary palette bursts from the page, as the Jolly Rancher–red engine sizzles with heat.
Bold and energetic, and complete with fire-safety tips and fire-gear endpapers, this is one surefire win for the firefighter fan
. (Picture book. 3-6)