The Fire Station (Munsch for Kids)

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful tale for any child!
Review: Every child will love this book even if they are not particularly interested in fire stations. This is the story of a little boy who is convinced by a mischevious friend to stowaway aboard a firetruck and follow the firemen to a fire at a paint factory. There are wonderful, colorful illustrations of the little boy and girl getting so covered with paint that their parents don't recognize them, and then taking big sudsy baths with huge bubble and splashes of paint when they get home. The children I know who love this book enjoy both the adventure of the plot and the vivid illustrations.

Rating:
Summary: Great story about a very forward girl
Review: This is a great story for kids who love fire engines, kids who are irrepressible, or kids who know another kid who just won't take no for an answer.

Michael's friend Sheila won't let the word "no" stop her; not from Michael, and not from any of the adults. She wants to see the fire station so she takes Michael in with her and asks for a tour. The friendly fireman agrees, but then Sheila wants a ride in the fire engine and is told "of course not." So, Sheila gets in the engine anyway (dragging Michael along despite his protests), and wouldn't you know it, the alarm goes off, and the two of them are part of a huge downtown fire detail.

Martchenko's vibrant pictures, as in so many books he does with Munsch, are glorious. And the ending can lead to a great discussion with your child about learning a lesson, and how some people have more trouble doing so than others. The two children have such definite personalities, Michael the insecure worrier and Sheila clearly on her way to thrill-seeking sports such as glacier skating.

This is one my kids asked me to read them many times over.

Rating:
Summary: The Fire Station
Review: We love the books by this pair (Munsch and Martchenko). The Fire Station was an immediate hit with my soon to be four year old. Not only does it have the requisite fire engine, but the kid characters are curious, smart, adventurous and have relate-to personalities. The writing is inventive and colorful, is great for read-aloud, and doesn't talk down to kid readers. Martchenko's illustrations are great.