About the Holiday

Job Action Day was created in 2008 as a day for job seekers and employees to assess their career goals and take action to make them a reality. Today, experts across the web and in participating companies offer special seminars and training sessions to provide the latest in career advice. Today’s holiday, which is sponsored by LiveCareer, gives people a chance to reflect on what is most important in their life. Are you doing the job you’re passionate about? Are you bringing your passions to the job you are doing? If you are unhappy or dissatisfied with your position, take another look at your job and where it leads. It’s possible that new opportunities lie within your current job—you never know where a particular job will lead you until you put all your creativity, knowledge, and—most importantly—unique personality—into it. If your current job doesn’t offer these kinds of opportunities, today is a good day to polish that resume and begin a search for a job that you can really be excited about.

Two Lions/Amazon sent me a copy of Flash, the Little Fire Engine for review consideration. All opinions are my own. I’m fired up about teaming with Two Lions in a giveaway of the book! See details below.

Flash, the Little Fire Engine

Written by Pam Calvert | Illustrated by Jen Taylor

Flash, the littlest fire engine in the fire station, is ready for his first day helping the town. He takes a drive through the streets, greeting people who save and smile at him. When he returns to the firehouse, the alarm is blaring and the firefighters are sliding down the pole and pulling on their gear. Flash honks and turns on his siren “Weeoo! Weeoo!” He rolls out of the firehouse thinking, “I’m on my way. I’ll save the day!”

Flash hurries to the airport, but when he gets there, his friend Crash, an airport crash tender, tells him, “‘Too big for you little buddy.’” Disappointed that he can’t help, Flash watches as Crash sprays foam on the blaze and puts the fire out. Flash goes back to the firehouse hopeful that next time he can help. Soon, the alarm rings again. With axes stowed away and plenty of water in the tank, Flash roars to a tall building, where flames shoot from high windows. He approaches Laddie, a “turntable ladder truck, made to reach high places.” Flash is too short to reach this fire, so he sadly returns to the fire station.

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Image copyright Jen Taylor, 2019, text copyright Pam Calvert, 2019. Courtesy of Two Lions.

The alarm rings again! The firefighters need chainsaws and poles. All fitted out, Flash says, “‘I’m on my way! I’ll save the day!” Flash races to the forest, but on the way there he sees “Tank the airplane firefighter up high in the sky. He drops a blanket of fire retardant over the area.” Then Fizz the foam tender puts out the flames. By the time Flash gets there, “the forest is saved!” Once again, Flash is disheartened and feels like he’s not needed.

On his way back home, Flash encounters an unexpected snow storm. The streets are icy and the snow is piling up. Suddenly, the chief calls Flash with an emergency. There’s a fire in the town square, all the other trucks are out of the firehouse, and they can’t get back because the bridge is blocked with snow. Can Flash save the day? “Weeoo! Weeoo! Honk! Honk!” Flash tears to the town square and sees that the animal shelter is on fire. The firefighters aim the hoses and rush into the building to save the animals and people. Flash gives the fire all he’s got—“Whoosh!” Soon the fire is out and the animals and workers rescued.

Flash is tired when he rolls back into the firehouse next door, but “there’s a celebration.” The firefighters and townspeople applaud and cheer Flash for saving the day on his very first day of work. Later, Flash gets ready for bed with his “gear unhooked, hoses stored, chrome polished.” As the lights go out, Flash smiles and his “engine hums itself to sleep.”

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-flash-the-little-fire-engine-airport

Image copyright Jen Taylor, 2019, text copyright Pam Calvert, 2019. Courtesy of Two Lions.

Through the smallest engine in the firehouse and various fires, Pam Calvert introduces readers to a collection of diverse fire-fighting equipment, including assorted trucks and an aircraft. Flash’s enthusiasm for his job and for wanting to help his town will delight children, who will want to chime in on his repeated “I’m on my way! I’ll save the day!” and the frequent Weeoos and Honks. His disappointment will resonate with little ones who sometimes have to wait for a chance to shine among older siblings and friends. As Flash races to the town square fire, kids will share his sense of suspense. They’ll cheer when he and his crew quickly extinguish the fire and save the animal shelter in this high-impact scene. When Flash finishes his first day with a celebration and a sense of pride and accomplishment, readers will appreciate that their own special talents and abilities are needed and important too.

Jen Taylor’s bold and vibrant illustrations put the spotlight on the inner workings of the firehouse as well as on various types of firefighting vehicles, allowing readers to see the different trucks’ designs as well as the equipment they carry. Brick buildings, firetrucks, and fiery blazes are all depicted in vivid reds and yellows, enhancing the urgency of the firefighters’ response as well as Flash’s eagerness to participate. Taylor’s use of perspective gives a broad view of firefighting techniques that will awe readers, especially those fascinated by firetrucks.

Flash, the Little Fire Engine would make an exciting addition to home, school, and public library collections for kids who love vehicles, transportation, and especially firetrucks.

Ages 3 – 6

Two Lions/Amazon, 2019 | ISBN 978-1542041782

Discover more about Pam Calvert and her books on her website.

To learn more about Jen Taylor, her books, and her art, visit her website.

Flash, the Little Fire Engine Giveaway

I’m excited to partner with Two Lions in a Twitter giveaway of:

One (1) copy of Flash, the Little Fire Engine written by Pam Culvert | illustrated by Jen Taylor

To enter:

Follow me @CelebratePicBks on Twitter and Retweet a giveaway tweet.
Bonus: Reply with your child’s favorite truck for an extra entry. Each reply earns one more entry.

This giveaway is open from November 6 through November 12 and ends at 8:00 p.m. EST.

A winner will be chosen on November 13.

Prizing provided by Two Lions/Amazon

Giveaway open to U.S. addresses only. | No Giveaway Accounts