That's how many times we've read "Fireman Small," and we simply LOVE it. We first read it in 1996 to our oldest son, now 7, and he reads it to his little brother, now age 2. It's a wonderful, lively story about brave little Fireman Small, which also teaches cooperation, compassion and frienship. What an excellent book!

Loved this book from the first time we read it with my boys...and that was 5 years ago. We all know all the words and love the simple story with its full range of emotions.
This one's a keeper, and I know my kids will one day enjoy reading it to theirs.

Wow, when I bought "Fireman Small" last year for my 5 year old, I knew it would be a hit with him (something about small boys and fire trucks...), and indeed it was. But I was completely unprepared for the ferocity with which his 19-month old sister loves this book as well. We read "Small" (her word for it) several times a day. The beautifully-rhymed text holds her attention and we have a great time chanting it all together. I think she is particularly pleased at the end when poor Fireman Small finally gets his well-deserved rest after a busy day of rescuing cats from trees, baby bunnies from wells, and putting out an actual fire. My 5 year old knows the words by heart, and we often sing a snatch or two of the refrain at odd times during the day (which, of course, prompts the little one to get the book and demand a complete reading). Warning -- this book will get into your skull too! I am looking for more books by Wong Herbert Yee, and I expect them to be just as charming and wonderful.

My 3 ½-year-old son loves Fireman Small. He identifies with the fireman's diminutive stature and is entertained by the shenanigans of the silly animals he rescues. We both think Fireman Small Fire Down Below! is the best book ever. The illustrations are deceptively simple. From my son's point-of-view they are easy to understand and lively. I find them witty, complex, and beautifully composed. The singsong rhythm of the text makes it easy for me to read it over and over--as my son demands. Unlike many children's books, this one rewards multiple readings with new surprises. Don't miss the little mouse who turns up in odd places. While this book definitely charms kids, there are also amusing little vignettes that appeal to a grownup sensibility.

Fireman Small returns in this humorous story with an important message about fire safety. Yee uses a variety of fire safety words and phrases in order to help young children learn what to do during a fire, for example: 'No, no, No, not the elevator!', 'grab a wet towel to cover your head', 'stop, drop, and roll' and others. With the fire on the bottom floor of the hotel, Fireman Small has to help the people get to the roof. In humorous drawings and rhyming text, Yee shows Fireman small feeling the door to see if it is hot, pulling the fire alarm, knocking on doors to get guests out, etc. Great for a read aloud story time, especially during Fire Safety month. Some vocabulary terms (hotel, elevator, stairwell, fire escape) may need to be introduced prior to the reading, particularly in areas where children are not familiar with multi-story buildings.

We bought this book for our son when he was about six months old. Ever since, it's a lock to hold his attention. The text is brief with simple rhyming lines. The illustrations are bright and clear, but not too detailed. It doesn't really tell a story. More accurately, it highlights some key elements of train travel (whistles, the dining car, a caboose). It's a cute book, but frankly, I'm not sure I "get" what is so interesting to my son. Regardless, when I'm putting him to bed and we choose a book to read, he will usually reach for this one. And as any parent knows, when you find something that works, don't question it.

My two toddlers love this colorful rhyming boardbook and its companion masterpiece Hooray For Truckmice. These computer generated illustrations scream with vibrant colors that will inflame the imagination of even the most jaded toddler reader. The simple rhymes are charming. You can't buy a better book for your youngsters for less money than this high quality, small boardbook.

This gentle story is full of catchy lyrics, which I found myself reciting to my infant - "Why do you cry, sweetie pie? A warm bottle will pacify."

Babies and toddlers will love the rhymes and bright watercoloured illustrations.

I also enjoyed this work because the family depicted in the illustrations is Asian Amercian, even though the book has nothing to do with Asian American themes. Coming from a mixed race (Asian-Caucasian) family, I appreciate the true-to-life portrayal, and that my child can see his own reflection in such a book.

Another charming picture book from the creator of "Fireman Small" shows an escalating series of animal hijinx: a mouse is discovered in the house, so in comes the cat to chase that rat, in comes the dog to chase the cat, and so on, all the way up to the elephant. The illustrations are charming and feature visual puns for parents (note, for example, the "duck soup") while kids are sure to love the sweetly humourous animals. The story is told in simple rhyme, with plenty of exclamations and animal absurdity to make your toddler giggle.

We have 2 books by Wong Herbert Yee and my 15-month old loves them. The illustrations are adorable and even after reading it multiple times to him, I still enjoy it.

My 3-year-old girl got this for her birthday, and just loves it. It's a bit scary, as the bear misbehaves, but it's also silly, and she enjoys seeing him get his come-uppance. The rhymes are fun, too. The art is a bit crude, but the story is very enjoyable.

My first graders LOVE this book!
They begged to hear it again and again. It has a fun rhythmic story line that the kids love to repeat, and the pictures are really fun. They also wanted to act out the story.
I'm going to get a few of these books as holiday gifts!
A must-have!

My two daughters (aged 4 and 5) say this is their favorite book. We've been reading it over and over since they were babies. They love the naughty big black bear who turns out to be a child just like them (and is forgiven in the end, of course). The rhyming text is very catchy ("come in, please, wipe your paws on the mat...I'm a big black bear, I don't have to do that"). Don't let your kids grow up without reading this and the other Wong Herbert Yee books!

This is an excellent book for teachers and librarians to share with a group. The pictures are bright and detailed and there is a lot of useful descriptive information. The book could be used to initiate discussion about the natural disasters as well topics in history, geography, and science.

It was very cool! It had lots of information and awesome pictures. I like the part about the black plague. This a very good book about disasters. I wish they had a sequel to it.

This book illustrates and explains very well about cyclones, earhtquakes, floods, etc. that happened in the past.For children it's very important to know what kind of natural disasters (still) can happen, all over the world. Disasters is really a valuable book of reference for all ages.

We have the "original" Fireman Small which is a GREAT book. However this adaptation into a board book makes no sense, the gentle drawings have been blown up, the colors intensified and the chopped "story" does not flow.

It is not worth purchasing. Wait until your little one is old enough to appreciate the original paperback version (our son was 2)and savour that one then.

My husband is a fireman, so my 5 year-old daughter has received many books about firefighters and fire trucks. This book has always been her favorite (so much so that we have had it memorized for years!) Now we have a 1 year-old son and he loves to have it read to him over and over. It's a wonderful book for new readers!

My 20 month old son LOVES this book. I did not understand the complaints parents made about their children wanting to hear books again and again until F.S. entered our library. He loves the illustration of our little hero sliding down his fire pole to the waiting truck, and raises his arms over his head and WHOOSHES when we get to the part where the fire is extinguished. He knows all the words by heart, and practically bounces in his seat as we recite them again and again (and again...). A very simple yet satisfying story with a happy ending.

To be honest, my wife and I disagree on this book. After our 1-year old son took so quickly to "Here come Train Mice!", I was psyched to buy another Wong Herbert Yee book. Though Truckmice has the same look and feel, I think the illustrations and accompanying text aren't as obvious as they should be. And there's no simple storyline (as in Train Mice). But my wife thinks the book teaches him about what some of these commonly seen vehicles are and it is easy to read. So, we split the difference and give it 3 stars. Our son agrees - he never gets tired of Train Mice, but Truckmice is hit or miss. So, if you haven't bought either of these two books, definitely go with Train Mice first.

Truckmice combines two of my 19 month-old son's favorite things: trucks and animals. It has become an instant favorite in our house. Wong Herbert Yee has created a charming book with wonderfully bright illustrations, a simple text and endearing characters. Perhaps my son says it best "Mama, read Truckmice, more!"

I love this little board book! I am always searching for board books with cute, inventive illustrations that will captivate my 6 month old. This book delivered with its adorable, colorful pictures of mice doing interesting things. My daughter loves this book and it is one that will grow with her I am sure. If you are looking for great illustrations and a clever board book that is entertaining, this is a great find. Hooray for Truckmice!