A Fire Truck Named Red

Starred review from February 15, 2016
It’s Rowan’s birthday, and he yearns for a shiny new toy fire truck. Instead, he gets Red, a worse-for-wear truck that belonged to his grandfather. “Trust me, Ro,” Papa says. “We’ll fix up Red better than new.” As Papa starts on the Red rehab, he tells Rowan stories of his pretend adventures with the truck. These escapades—rendered in sepia tones and operatic emotions, and “projected” like a silent film—are so vivid that during the final story, Rowan imagines being pulled into the action, riding along with a young Papa to save the town library. Even though “Red would never be new,” what kid wouldn’t want a truck with as many accomplishments as Red? De Sève (Peanut and Fifi Have a Ball) and Staake (My Pet Book) are an inspired pairing, and the brisk storytelling and funny segues (“That cat was nearly as strong as the elephants,” says Papa, effortlessly launching into another tale) give the graphic, posterlike images a deep warmth and narrative energy. Clearly Rowan isn’t the only one swept away by Papa’s tale. Ages 5–7. Author’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. Illustrator’s agent: Gillian MacKenzie, Gillian MacKenzie Agency.

Starred review from March 1, 2016
When Rowan receives his grandfather's toy fire truck, he learns to see beauty--and adventure--in the old. It's Rowan's birthday, and the red-haired white boy knows exactly which fire truck he wants. From the store window it beckons, with larger-than-life features and dazzling red paint. But instead, he gets Papa's rusty old truck. Disappointment and tears brew, but it's apparent Papa loves the old toy, and as he repairs Red, he recounts their daring deeds. A skeptical Rowan politely listens, until the stories become so interesting, so real, they fill the page, and Rowan is swept up in them, becoming part of Red's history, seeing Red's possibilities. Even before the fresh paint dries, Rowan realizes the beauty of Red--and of Papa. Staake's signature style is as appealing as ever, but it's his brilliant use of contrasting styles that gives Red its soul. Here, the new, modern toys are rendered in his typical, flat style, whereas Red is depicted with photorealism and loaded with texture, giving the old fire truck life, character, and depth. Papa's memories of Red are done in an evocative sepia tone. As the adventures become more engrossing, Rowan is literally pulled into them until he is fully immersed, deepening his bond to his Papa. Staake and de Seve are a perfect match in this intergenerational tale that puts value on experience, memories, and time spent together. An absolute delight. (Picture book. 3-7)

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April 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 2-Everyone has experienced the disappointment of a well-meant gift that misses the mark. On Rowan's birthday, his grandfather gives him Red, his own well-loved fire truck-not the shiny new one the boy coveted from the toy store. But as Papa shares his experiences of childhood imaginative play, Rowan is drawn into the adventure and realizes that no other fire truck can take the place of Red. Computer-generated geometric illustrations, both bulbous and angular (with remarkably expressive faces), set the scene. Red shows up as a photograph of an ancient and worn toy truck, collaged into the narrative. Papa's memories, in a sepia-tone page-within-a-page format, allow for visual differentiation of setting. And there is a charming illustration of Rowan leaping into a memory to share the fun. Even small children know the magic of a special toy, however drawn they are to the new, and who doesn't like a fire truck story? VERDICT A warm addition to transportation shelves.-Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence, RI

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