FIREBOY TO THE RESCUE!
by Edward Miller and illustrated by Edward Miller
Fear not! Fireboy is here! And in his tight red suit with emblazoned FB, yellow cape, rakish mask with feathery flame and, of course, black boots trimmed with yellow, Fireboy is sure to keep readers’ attention. Covering the basics of reporting a fire, how to get out, how to prevent fires and what safety devices every home should have, Miller addresses the important points in a way that instructs but is unlikely to instill fear in his audience. Also addressed are the importance of having fire drills at home and what to do in case of a fire in a high-rise building. Filled with asides that give often-overlooked tips, this stands out among other fire-safety texts. Apropos to the superhero theme, the graphic artwork relies on comic-book style—bright colors, blocky shapes, dotted backgrounds, speech bubbles and several typefaces in many sizes. Into this he also tosses a few collaged items—some artwork, fire hydrants, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and smoke alarms. A little late for Fire Safety Week, but surely one to keep in mind for next October. (Informational picture book. 4-9)