"STOP, DROP, AND ROLL"

In 100th Day Worries (2000), Jessica was introduced as a bright, focused, well-loved worrier in both text and illustration. Howard continues this portrayal with his adept line drawings and watercolors, drawing his humor from the text, and depicting Jessica's face in a perpetual state of wide-eyed concern. This time she is almost pathologically worried about fire safety thanks to her teacher's efforts during Fire Prevention Week. Since she's in a supportive nuclear family, Jessica shares her concerns with her parents, who then check the batteries in their smoke alarms and inspect their fireplace for safety, etc. Jessica can't sleep at night until she has inspected the house for the various potential problems her teacher has warned of. Worse, Jessica simply cannot get the important words "Stop, Drop, and Roll" straight. This makes a hilarious read aloud as she repeatedly murders the words in her frantic attempt to remember them. Finally, in her most embarrassing moment, she gets them right; unfortunately, it's the flames of birthday candles that set her in motion. Still, as they're falling down laughing, readers will pick up a few important safety tips, too. Stop, sit, and read. (Picture book. 4-7)