Firefighter Flo! - (Big Jobs, Bold Women) by Andrea Zimmerman

About the Book

"This inaugural entry in a series focused on women workers opens and closes with a cheer that should rev up young audiences: "Hey, yo!/ Firefighter Flo!/ You're a hero!/ You're a pro!" Zimmerman's rhyming narration remains at a fever pitch as Flo, a firefighter portrayed with brown skin, rouses the firehouse crew, portrayed with varying skin tones, in the middle of the night: "The smoke is thick!/ Flames have spread!/ Come on, crew. Out of bed!" With percussive onomatopoeia pumping up the action, Flo drives the team to a burning house, and leads their response efforts ("The water rushed. The hoses gushed. SSSSHHHHH!"). When Flo spots a frantic dog still trapped inside the building, she breaks through the door with an axe, and as the fire roars around her and the building starts to collapse, she gets the pooch to safety. Yaccarino's punchy graphics are in full force, employing lots of eye-catching red and black as well as some terrific visual winks (the firefighters wear matching red plaid pajamas in the firehouse, and their dalmatian's spots are Ben-Day dots). The story ends with a good night wind-down, but Flo's bravery is served up with five-alarm excitement."--

Book Synopsis

Ring! Clang! Firefighter Flo and her team race to stop a fire in this picture book filled with bold art and fun onomatopoeia.

Last night at the Fire Station...
With a jingly-jang, the telephone rang.
RING-RING! RING-RING!


Firefighter Flo jumps out of bed! There's a fire and only a pro like Flo and her team can help. Read along as the firefighters put on their fireproof suits, rush off in their truck, douse the fire with the big hose, and rescue the family pet. The CLANG of the siren and WHOOSH of the fire will have parents and kids reading aloud together.

The Big Jobs, Bold Women series introduces even the youngest readers to strong women in tough hands-on jobs. Don't miss out on Crane Jane! and Plumber Pearl!

With dynamic artwork from Dan Yaccarino, Nickelodeon character designer for The Backyardians, and energetic verse from Andrea Zimmerman, best-selling author of Trashy Town, Firefighter Flo is the perfect read for kids who love to watch the big red fire trucks rush by.

Review Quotes

★ "Zimmerman's rhyming narration remains at a fever pitch. . . . Yaccarino's punchy graphics are in full force. . . . Flo's bravery is served up with five-alarm excitement."--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

"This high-energy, heart-pounding tribute to firefighters, with its bold visuals and enthusiastic text, would make an especially lively pick for a group setting like storytime, even for the youngest listeners--invite a local firefighter to share in the fun."--The Horn Book

"A quick and effervescent tribute to every city's bravest. . . ."--School Library Journal

"It's an exciting story, and one that's chock-full of descriptive words that will help build young readers' vocabularies. Aiding that goal are the bold and bright digital illustrations, which have a sleek, classic vibe and make use of pops of red to keep young (and older) eyes dancing around the page. This one will be a popular choice among librarians, caregivers, and readers for years to come. Readers will be happy to have Flo in their homes day or night! This book's on fire!"--Kirkus Reviews

"An exciting book for all readers, especially empowering for girls."--Booklist

About the Author

ANDREA ZIMMERMAN is the author of many beloved series including Trashy Town and Smashy Town, illustrated by Dan Yaccarino; the bestselling truck series Bulldozer Friends, Digger Man, Fire Engine Man, and Train Man; All Buckled Up and All Dressed Up (S&S/Little Simon); and Dig! illustrated by Marc Rosenthal. Andrea grew up in Ohio, Utah, New York, and California. She enjoys gardening, going for walks, and visiting museums.

DAN YACCARINO is an author-illustrator who been named to the Texas Bluebonnet list for The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, Kirkus' Best Children's Book List for All the Way To America, The New York Times 10 Best Illustrated List and the Bologna Ragazzi for Every Friday. His picture book I Am a Story is a Junior Library Guild Selection and a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2016. He's also the creator and producer of several animated series based on his books, Doug Unplugs (AppleTV), Oswald (Nickelodeon), Willa's Wild Life (NBC and Qubo), as well as the character designer behind The Backyardigans (Nickelodeon).