THE RED FIRE BOOK

Roger's school report on how fires can be prevented and what to do when fire starts -- along with the local fire chief's reminder that ""This book shouldn't be just read. It should be used"" -- could come in handy for a primary grade safety lesson, but the story of how he smells smoke (just as he is writing the report) and calls the fire department and is later surprised with a ""happy birthday fire fighter"" cake and candles is so peremptory as to be downright insulting. An ounce of prevention, a pound of bore.