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I'm Brave!: Kate & Jim McMullan

Book: I'm Brave!
Author: Kate and Jim McMullan
Pages: 40
Age Range: 3-7

I'm Brave! is the latest in a transportation-themed series by Kate & Jim McMullan. I remember I Stink! being a hit when it came out in 2002, but I have had only a passing familiarity with the books in between. I'm Brave! is the autobiographical story of a "big, red fire engine", full of tidbits about fire engines and their accessories, as well as many dramatic sound effects. Like this:

"FIREFIGHTERS?
I got your vests, masks, air tanks.
Let's ROLL!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Blinkers?
BLINK!
Flashers?
FLASH!
Light bar?
STROBE IT!"

All of the sound effects (shown in various size fonts and colors) make this a fun book to read aloud with preschoolers. There's also some matching, where the engine lists accessories, and the child is supposed to match each item with its picture ("Shovels, mauls, ropes, flashlights, Halligan tools", etc.). There's not glossary, so parents may have to do a bit of research to help with these sections. 

The brave firetruck's enthusiasm is contagious, and there are enough facts here to keep young firefighter buffs occupied for some time. I'm Brave! isn't my personal favorite type of picutre book (without much narrative structure, and the need to make lots of engine sounds), but I can see it delighting lots of kids. I'm Brave! is a sure-fire addition to any library's picture book collection, and a great gift idea for a child who has recently visited the fire station. 

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (@HarperChildrens)
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher

© 2014 by Jennifer Robinson of Jen Robinson's Book Page. All rights reserved. You can also follow me @JensBookPage or at my Growing Bookworms page on Facebook. This site is an Amazon and iBooks affiliate, and purchases made through affiliate links (including linked book covers) may result in my receiving a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

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