Parents' Guide to

Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey

By Patricia Tauzer, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

An old New York fireboat offers heroic help on 9/11.

Book Maira Kalman Picture Book 2005
Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of John J. Harvey Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 1 parent review

zelita
zelita Parent of 7-year-old
December 18, 2011
age 10+

Not appropriate for young children

Families can discuss brushstrokes and colors under a theme more suited for kids at this age. Exposing kids at young age to this tragedy can only damage their much needed sense of security. Emotionally and intellectually, they are not mature enough to process it. My star rating is more related to age appropriateness than to how good or bad the book is. I think the story is laudable but deserves a proper audience.

This title has:

Too much violence
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

The story is simply told, and it is a touching one. The first few pages set the time and place (1931, New York City) and introduce the John J. Harvey as the best of the fireboats. After serving for 60 years, the won-out fireboat is docked, waiting to be scrapped. Then, his ex-captain and a group of friends decide to bring him out of mothballs. When the 9/11 terrorist attack happens, he is ready and able to help. At first he is going to ferry people out of danger, but when the water pipes break, he gets an even more important role. He works right alongside the more modern fireboats and helps save the day.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

If parents and their children are ready to hear a bit about the 9/11 attacks, this book is a good way to start. Though the focus is on the fireboat finding a useful purpose, and on the heroism of the people around him, one section discusses the 9/11 attacks. The bright primary colors and bold illustrations turn to a solid black page that sets a somber tone. Next, against the bright blue sky, two tall buildings are approached by two dark planes that "CRASHED, CRASHED, CRASHED into the two strong buildings." During the next few pages the illustrations turn dark and chaotic until order is restored.

The story is plainly told, and full of information about the parts of the boat, things that were restored, and the people who helped. The gracefully expressive artwork, done in gouache, grabs both the eye and the heart, and definitely adds a strong emotional tone to the story.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the illustrations in the book. How did the colors and brush strokes change to show the explosion, and then afterwards as the fire fighters, and other heroes, tried to deal with the chaos?

  • What was the illustrator trying to show? When that time was over, how did the illustrations change again?

Book Details

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