In honor of 9/11, today we’re reviewing a book called Fireman Small by Wong Herbert Yee. I came across this book at Half Price Books and couldn’t not bring it home with us, especially with the anniversary of the tragedy coming up, giving all of us another chance to remember the great sacrifice made by so many first responders 12 years ago.
Fireman Small is about a fireman in a small town who comes to the rescue for everything from a cat up a tree, to a child down a well, to a fire at the bakery. Like the first responders at the Twin Towers, Fireman Small is brave and true of heart. He puts his own needs (like safety and sleep) aside to help others. The book tells the story of so many courageous firefighters all over the country and shares wonderful values that I want my son to embody.
My favorite part of the book [spoiler alert!] is when several people in town whose lives have been touched by Fireman Small gather at the firehouse to display their gratitude. This, to me, is the greatest value of the book and is what 9/11 will always be for the United States of America. Through the conversation started with this book, Max will grow up knowing that we owe a debt to not only the firefighters but also the police officers, EMTs, and other emergency officials all over the country who help us when we are in trouble.
Besides the subject matter, Fireman Small is a great bedtime book because of the rhythm of the rhyme. After each emergency, Fireman Small closes the shade, climbs into bed, and pulls up the covers.
My uncle was a firefighter for many years in Kokomo, Indiana, and I have always admired his courage. He has a new grandson and a five-year-old granddaughter who will be receiving a copy of this book for Christmas!
Because of the subject matter, the values, and the rhythm, Fireman Small deserves 5 snacks:
Snacks for Max 
What a nice review about a cute book! Thank you for remembering our heroes!
Thank you for stopping by!
This looks adorable – personally, I love all picture books that end with the characters going to bed to sleep sweetly. Great book idea!
Haha we moms and our love of sleep 😉
Thank you for introducing me to this book! My father, uncle, and great uncle were all firefighters, too in New York, so this book has special meaning. Can’t wait to purchase this for some future firefighters.
Excellent! That’s the power of blog hops 🙂
You can never have too many real life hero books. Thanks.
You are right! Thanks for visiting 🙂
I adore this book! I’ve read it to my three girls and am excited to read it to my first boy soon! Somehow I think he’ll love it even more than the girls did (which was a ton!) Thanks for sharing this great review at Booknificent Thursday!
Oh, what a sweet book! Perfect choice in memory of the lives lost on 9/11. I’ve added it to the Kid Lit Blog Hop for you. 😉
Lovely book and great idea to make kids appreciate so many brave firefighters – especially those who lost their lives in 9/11
Wonderful find Jaymie! More books like these need to find their way into schools! I am definitely suggesting this for the little kids class rooms! Thanks for sharing!
-Reshama @StackingBooks.com
This sounds like a total hit and the illustrations are lovely. We are quite Fireman Sam obsessed in our house at the moment, so we would love this book. Thanks for hosting the Kid Lit Blog Hop
I like what the core embodies too, and what a perfect time for you to share it. I’m visiting today from the hop, thank you for hosting.
Thank you for visiting, Rosey!
My little brother is a fireman. Love this book! Thanks for sharing on the Kid Lit Blog Hop!
Fantastic! Funny how they’ll always be our ‘little’ brothers, isn’t it? 🙂