New York's Bravest

Rating:
Summary: A superbly illustrated heroic tale
Review: "New York's Bravest" combines text by Mary Pope Osborne with paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher. The book begins with a historical note in which Osborne describes the background of her tale. In 1848, a heroic firefighter character first began appearing in stage productions. This character was based on a real-life New York City firefighter named Mose Humphreys. In 1915, historian Herbert Asbury included some Mose stories in two collections of stories about old New York. As Osborne observes, firefighter Mose is "America's first urban folk hero."

Osborne's story takes place in a past era where newsboys sold papers for a penny each. The story's hero is Mose, an eight foot tall firefighter with superhuman strength. Sample text: "'Come on boys!' said Mose. Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City."

The story is well enhanced by colorful illustrations that are full of great details. There are some exciting firefighting scenes, as well as some nice pictures of Mose engaged in less dangerous pursuits (such as eating a hearty meal).

The book has the following dedication: "To the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." It's a beautiful tribute that I recommend to readers of all ages.

Rating:
Summary: In Honor of Firefighters Everywhere.....
Review: "...Mose was the most famous firefighter in New York City. Eight feet tall, Mose had hands as big as Virginia hams. His arms were so strong he could swim the Hudson River in two strokes. When others ran away from danger, Mose ran toward it." Mary Pope Osborne brings the fantastic, and ever-growing legend of 1840s firefighter, Mose Humphreys to life, in this picture book dedicated "to the memory of the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001." Mose was a larger than life hero and "...everyone knew if they ever needed help, they could count on Mose." One night, a hotel fire near the Hudson River raged out of control, and Mose spent hours running in and out of the building saving everyone. But as the sun came up, and the firefighters packed their equipment, no one could find Mose. Hopefully, they waited, but Mose never returned..... Ms Osborne's engaging text is both exciting and touching. Illustrators, Steve Johnson's and Lou Fancher's lush and bold artwork captures the text beautifully, and is rich in expressive, eye-catching detail. Together, word and art paint a marvelously entertaining tall tale that is relevant to the events of the past year. And as the weeks and months passed, finally an old timer "put the matter to rest." "...Mose is right here. He's marchin' with us in our parades. He's kickin' up his heels at our fancy dances. He's skating by moonlight on the ice pond in the park. And whenever we climb our ladders toward a blazing sky, he climbs with us. Whenever we save folks, he saves them, too. You see, that firefighter-he'll never leave us. He's the very spirit of New York City." Perfect for youngsters 4-8, New York's Bravest is an inspiring tribute, not just to the firefighters of 9/11, but to all the men and women who put their lives on the line daily, to ensure the safety of others, and is sure to open interesting and important discussions.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully illustrated, warmly written ...
Review: I found this book at my 9 year old daughter's school bookfare. While she no longer reads picture books, I am enthralled by them and this one caught my eye. Like another reviewer, I had trouble choking back tears as I read the tale of Mose Humphrey's firefighting in the late 1800's of NYC. I bought the book and passed it on to a gentleman who is a volunteer firefighter, ems worker and full time police officer for his two young sons. A work of art, both with its sparse, yet moving prose, and beautiful paintings. Recommended highly for ages 4-7.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully illustrated, warmly written ...
Review: I found this book at my 9 year old daughter's school bookfare. While she no longer reads picture books, I am enthralled by them and this one caught my eye. Like another reviewer, I had trouble choking back tears as I read the tale of Mose Humphrey's firefighting in the late 1800's of NYC. I bought the book and passed it on to a gentleman who is a volunteer firefighter, ems worker and full time police officer for his two young sons. A work of art, both with its sparse, yet moving prose, and beautiful paintings. Recommended highly for ages 4-7.

Rating:
Summary: New York's Folk-Hero Firefighter
Review: Move over, Paul Bunyan, there's a new tall-tale hero in town.

Well, not exactly a new hero.

In the New York City of the 1840s lived a legendary firefighter named Mose Humphreys. Standing eight feet tall, with "hands as big as Virginia hams," he fought fires all around the great city, striding towards danger with his flaming red hair under his stovepipe hat. Whether rescuing babies from flaming tenements or bankers from burning hotels, Mose was beloved by all New Yorkers for his bravery and selflessness.

Mary Pope Osborne's story, in true American folktale tradition, renders a loving portrait of a man who symbolizes all that we respect and admire in firefighters: courage, willing sacrifice, tireless service to others. These traits were never so dramatically demonstrated as they were on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the story is a fitting tribute to the 343 New York City firefighters lost on that tragic day.

Though dedicated to the memory of modern firefighters, the gritty tones of Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's illustrations remind us that this is also a tale about firefighting in a city overcrowded with wood-framed buildings and illuminated by oil lamps, when water had to be physically pumped out of tank trucks with enough force to reach the upper floors of very modest buildings, and when firemen needed the strength to carry grown adults rung by rung down wooden ladders. The nineteenth century was a time when fire was a very real possibility, not an unfortunate occurrence that happens to others and played out on our TV screens.

Together, the text and illustrations bring Mose Humphreys to life brilliantly, and make him a potent symbol of the strength, valor, and sacrifice of all firefighters--in New York City and around the world...

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful story!
Review: My students were completely enthralled by this story of bravery and sacrifice. This book touched all our hearts this week. Mary Pope Osborne's retelling of the Mose story evokes humor and empathy. There is a little bit of Mose in every firefighter who climbs a ladder "toward a blazing sky." My students are clamoring for this book. I am going to have to add another copy to our collection.

Rating:
Summary: An exploration of a well-known American tall tale
Review: This isn't a focus on 9/11 but a survey of firefighting in the 1840s and the heroism of one of the bravest, Mose Humphreys. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher's paintings of old New York bring this biography to life in this exploration of a well-known American tall tale.