Brightly colored, bold illustrations accompany a basic text detailing a day in the life of Firefighter Frank. Readers follow Frank and his company as they clean and check their equipment, cook dinner, talk with visiting schoolchildren, and put out a fire. This effective introduction to the fire department includes a list of fire-prevention and safety tips.

While waiting for the alarm to sound, Firefight Frank finds many things to do around the firehouse, but he must drop everything when the bell begins to signal that his help is needed. Cleaning and maintaining the equipment is a priority to make sure that everything is in working order when it's needed. The firefighters give tours and lessons on fire safety to visiting schoolchildren. They even go grocery shopping and cook together to ensure that they are ready at a moment's notice. The beeping alarm spurs them into their equipment and into the waiting trucks. Once at the scene of the fire, the firefighters must use their knowledge and training to put it out and ensure that everyone reaches safety. Wellington's ( Apple Farmer Annie , 2001, etc.) trademark illustrations—flat, simple, and brightly crayon colored—introduce readers to the world and professions of firefighters. Full-page paintings feature the firefighters at work while opposing pages include the text surrounded by the equipment and tools that firefighters use. Fire-prevention and safety tips round out the informative package. Dedicated to the firefighters of New York City, this tribute to this challenging profession is sure to inspire children who dream of one day wearing the uniform. (Picture book. 3-6)

PreS-Gr 1-This story takes readers through a day in the life of a firefighter, which includes mundane grocery shopping, equipment maintenance, and racing to the call of a fire. The descriptive and instructive tone makes for a story that is best shared one-on-one instead of with a group. A list of fire safety tips from Firefighter Frank is appended. The illustrations are trademark Wellington-full, round, pleasant faces amid brilliant colors. Text sits on the left surrounded by simple images depicted in the scene on the right. For example, on the page that describes the firefighters quickly leaving for the emergency, the boxed text is surrounded by their boots, hats, gloves, oxygen, and so on, opposite a full illustration of the scene. This is a good introduction to the subject, especially if a trip to a firehouse is imminent.-Linda M. Kenton, San Rafael Public Library, CA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.