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Fire! ¡Fuego! Brave bomberos
Book
2012
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Publishers Weekly Review
With more than 20 picture books to her name, Elya has built her career on stories that deftly incorporate Spanish vocabulary words into English verse. Her latest salutes a team of firefighters-among them, Juan, Jose, Carlota, and Hector-who race into action. " 'House fire!' says el capitan./ 'Fuego! Get your helmets on!'/ Down the pole they grab their gear./ 'Rapido! We're out of here!' " Elya's verse never falters, and it fuels the story's tension and drama. The text provides ample fodder for Santat's colored pencil illustrations, which incorporate digital elements, as well as the thematically appropriate use of fire and water. Certain pages are singed during the height of the fire, others are stained with water after the bomberos break out their hose. "Aim el agua, hear the sizzle-/ soon they make las flamas fizzle." The meanings of most of the Spanish words can be inferred from context, and a glossary is also included. The firefighters' determination, grit, and camaraderie-all fully evident in Santat's cinematically action-packed scenes-are sure to bolster childhood ambitions of joining their ranks. Ages 3-6. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
At the station, sirens sound. / Corazones start to pound. So begins this race to save a burning casa from roaring flames. Like No More, Por Favor (2010), also by Elya, this story meshes English and Spanish in verse to express the courage and dedication of bomberos Juan, Jose, Carlota, and Hector as they rush out of the station to do their jobs. Elya's fiery pace and rhythm Aim el agua, hear the sizzle / Soon they make las flamas fizzle are matched by Santat's masterfully designed illustrations. His colored-pencil and mixed-media spreads suggest movement across the page, and the brave bomberos' carefully crafted expressions provide deeper understandings of the heroism and devotion they encounter with each run. Elya's lines are often layered into the illustrations as characters' speech bubbles, making each turn of the page feel like a scene cut from an action film. All those young bomberos in the making will want to read this one again and again.--Zapata, Angie Copyright 2010 Booklist
Kirkus Review
bomberos and el capitn race to gear up and get to the fire after the alarm sounds. As humo fills the sky, they work together to aim the hose and douse las flamas. Firefighting is a perennially popular topic, and while the actual story here is rather unexceptional, Elya makes this book stand out in other ways. Yes, there are Dalmatians in the station and a fire pole to slide down. There is danger and the rescue of a cat. But there is also a woman on this firefighting team, and as always, Elya's rhyming couplets are a joy to read aloud. Context clues as well as words that are close to English make most of the Spanish vocabulary easy to decode. A glossary helps readers with any they may be unsure of and provides pronunciation help. Santat's illustrations also help to set this firefighter book apart. From the first page, he thrusts readers into the action with up-close views created with colored pencil, water on ink print, fire and Photoshop. His firefighters are real people with needs, interests and fears, who sweat and get dirty. This winner is sure to find a spot on shelves, although it won't stay there long. (Picture book. 3-7)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Summary

From Susan Elya and #1 NYT bestselling and Caldecott-winning illustrator Dan Santat comes a spirited, fast-paced picture book that captures the excitement and importance of firefighters' jobs.

At the station, sirens sound.
Corazones start to pound.
"House fire!" says el capitán.
"¡Fuego! Get your helmets on!"

So begins a rollicking race to save a burning casa from the roaring flames, and these bomberos are up to the task, with hoses ready and sirens blaring.

Susan Elya's melodic, bilingual verse pairs beautifully with bestseller Dan Santat's bold illustrations, telling an action-packed story of firefighters and the dangers they overcome.

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