Trucks, Boots, and Bells

The bustling activities of the urban firehouse and on the fire scene come to life with Cronin’s energetic verse. Poems are short, descriptive, and informational, all with deliberate rhyme and prosody. The narrative ­captures the many fascinating moving ­pieces of fighting a fire that will delight young rescue fans. . . . Marin’s folk-style art is boldly colored, dynamic, and textured. . . . These ­exciting, informational ­poems with action-packed illustrations have broad ­appeal. A ­must-purchase for poetry ­collections.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

The text is immediate and exciting, relying on a variety of forms, from acrostics to free verse, as Cronin describes these true heroes in action. . . . [A] pleasing collection of poetry heroics.
—Kirkus Reviews

In Trucks, Boots, and Bells: Firehouse Poems, Mary E. Cronin brings the firehouse to life with musical, detail-rich poems that celebrate the real work of firefighters. From the ‘tough, scuffed’ stomp of fire boots to the swift slide down the pole, each poem moves with energy and fascinating facts seamlessly woven into the rhythm. Children will love the sounds, the movement, and the honest specifics of this world. This is a joyful, action-packed tribute to fire people and the important work they do.
—Georgia Heard, Poet and Author

This book delivers joy and excitement with its clever rhymes ( Expert leapers / Very light sleepers; ladder climbers / just-in-timers), evocative similes ( hoses . . . like a maze of snakes), varied voices (a hook and a ladder that speak), and playful forms (acrostics, etc.). Young fans of firefighters will soak in all that rich language without even noticing, they’ll be so captivated with the firefighting content. Mary E. Cronin takes a familiar topic and makes us look at it in new and accessible ways; and her final poem ‘Firefighters’ is a perfect example of natural rhyme, meaningful repetition, and irresistible rhythm in just seventeen words.
—Janet Wong, Winner of the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award

Trucks, Boots and Bells by Mary E. Cronin is a terrific poetry collection that celebrates every aspect of firefighting. Children will be equally engrossed by Aaron Marin’s vivid illustrations. This book is sure to be a huge favorite of young children.
—Ralph Fletcher, Poet and Author of Writing Workshop: The Essential Guide

These appealing poems are the perfect read-aloud before a visit to the firehouse, and the backmatter is a great entry point to the work of firefighters and all the tools they use to put out fires.
—Patricia Sarles, Library Coordinator, New York City School Library System