A Firetruck Named Just Red

Reviewed by: Melissa Madigan MB - Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 6, 2017

Review

Rowan wants a shiny new toy firetruck for his birthday - but instead receives a (visibly) vintage version that belonged to his grandfather when he was young. His grandfather, whom he calls Papa, assures Rowan that the two of them can fix it up even better than it used to be, then recounts all of the times he played with it as a boy. The tales are realistic at first - like when the firetruck, dubbed "Red," helped him rescue his pet cat from a tree - but quickly become much more imaginative! Papa paints a very vivid picture of when he and Red helped water elephants at a circus, and put out a blaze at their local library, sparking the boy's imagination as he listens. All of the sudden, Rowan is able to "hear Red's siren" and "see his lights through the fog," and before he knows it, Papa has introduced a new version of Red with brand new paint, wheels, and a ladder. "Red," Rowan thinks, "will never be new...but we could be a great team." The story ends with an elated Rowan riding on the back of spiffed-up Red, undoubtedly anticipating creating his own new adventures. The story is simple but charming. Young readers will delight in the fantastical storytelling while adults are sure to appreciate the overall message of gratitude and giving.

Overall Book Score: good