Firefighters’ Handbook
by Meghan McCarthy; illus. by the author
Primary    Wiseman/Simon    48 pp.
9/19    978-1-5344-1733-5    $17.99
e-book ed.  978-1-5344-1734-2    $10.99

McCarthy (Astronaut Handbook, rev. 7/08; All That Trash, rev. 5/18) brings her recognizable illustration style (bug-eyed humans with sideways grins) to the kid-captivating topic of firefighting. Friendly, direct-address text covers firefighter training (our first in-the-know terminology comes on the second spread, with preparations for the CPAT—that’s Candidate Physical Ability Test); detailed information about the many types of equipment and their uses; daily tasks; helpful skills to have or cultivate (physical strength; no fear of heights; good memory, there’s a quiz). The writing is clear and specific, and the expansive, colorful acrylic illustrations, including labeled diagrams, are themselves quite informative, showing, for example, the difference between a fire truck and a fire engine and including everything down to WD-40 and baby wipes. Firefighters’ camaraderie comes through clearly (“Your firefighter team will become your second family”), and while the disaster-scenario scenes aren’t frantic, neither are they unrealistically downplayed. Children-as-firefighters occasionally appear in the pictures (in small print: “WARNING: This child is too little and young to be on a fire scene! Do not imitate, please”), drawing readers in and allowing them to visualize this aspirational career. Back matter includes an interview with a retired fire department battalion chief, including questions both from McCarthy and from children (Sadie: “Have you ever saved a baby from a fire?”).

From the November/December 2019 Horn Book Magazine.