Fuse 8 n’ Kate: Fireman Small by Wong Herbert Yee

Kate asked me to bring in a fireman/firefighter/firetruck book for us to discuss today as a possible classic. Now if you had to name a 20+ year old picture book featuring that kind of subject matter, what would you choose? Back in the day I read to my kids a veritable plethora of such titles. I became a veritable connoisseur of these books. And the one that rises to the top when I try to think of the older ones? This little number by Wong Herbert Yee. We talk about where Yee went (where did he go?), why parents get really interested in sleep deprived characters, and whether or not Fireman Small needs some additional training.

Listen to the whole show here on Soundcloud or download it through iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, PlayerFM, Audible, Amazon Music, or your preferred method of podcast selection.

Show Notes:

The Goofy/Pluto Conundrum: A situation where some animals are walking around living human lives and some are pets.

“There are certain types of books where a person is prevented from doing one of two essential human activities: either eating or sleeping. This falls into the sleeping category and it makes me tense.”

I don’t know much about this situation, but how BIG an abandoned well is this? And no one has ever bothered to cover it up? It’s like a crater! Like a silo in the ground to get away from the bombs and we’re just calling it a well now.

As Kate, our podcast’s continuity editor, is quick to point out, somehow only a mere 9 minutes have passed since Fireman Small jumped out of bed the first time and the second time. Rescuing cats from trees? Five minute job. Rescuing rabbits from well? An hour and a half.

Is this a multi-story bakery? That seems like a bad idea. And I think I see why on these pages.

Kate Recommends: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

Betsy Recommends: 1776 (but only when it’s done live)

Filed under: Fuse 8 n' Kate