Flick the Little Fire Engine
By Christy Matte,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Classic story and coloring book is sweet, not spectacular.
Add rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this app.
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Flick the Little Fire Engine
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
FLICK THE LITTLE FIRE ENGINE just wants to help fight fires with the other trucks. He can ring his bell. He can blow his siren. He can spray his water. So why isn't he allowed to help? When Flick is left alone at the fire station when a fire breaks out, he discovers that size isn't always what's important. Kids can listen to the story or record themselves or their parents reading it out loud. There are digital coloring pages to paint as well.
Is It Any Good?
This sweet story is best for truck-lovers and fire engine enthusiasts but might not thrill other kids. If you remember Golden Books from your childhood, this tale of a tiny fire engine who feels left out will immediately make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. Indeed, Flick The Little Fire Engine is a classic audio tale from the mid 1900's that has more recently been put into print. The artwork captures the original era of the story via the colors and style, but the effect feels a bit dated, especially when presented on modern-day technology. There's almost no interactivity in the pages as most kids will have come to expect. The coloring pages are taken directly from the artwork in the story, and the small open spaces make them very difficult to work with. Moreover, the coloring tools are tucked in the side menu, so each time kids want to change the color or size of their paint brush they have to open and close a separate menu. However, the recording feature is a nice touch and allows for some personalization. Overall, Flick The Little Fire Engine is a feel-good story and will have appeal for kids who love trucks, but it's just lacking many of the features that make it worth porting to a digital device in the first place.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being little like the fire engine in Flick the Little Fire Engine. Are there times when you feel left out because you're "too little?" Are there any special experiences or treats you get for the same reason?
Talk about fire engines. What do fire engines do? Why are they important? Visit your local firehouse to see real fire engines up close.
Families can talk about learning with apps. Do you think this is a good app for learning? Why or why not? What can you learn?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects: Language & Reading : letter or word recognition, reading, storytelling
- Skills: Creativity : making new creations, Emotional Development : moving beyond obstacles, Communication : listening
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: June 21, 2019
- Category: Books
- Topics: Cars and Trucks , Adventures
- Publisher: Kiwa Digital Limited
- Version: 3.1.3
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 9.1 or later
- Last updated: July 29, 2019
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Download
Our Editors Recommend
Books About Cars, Trucks, and Trains
Best Preschool Apps
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate