This book is very special to me. I live in Manhattan and am a volunteer at work parties on the Fireboat Harvey. I don't do much -scrape off old paint, put on new paint. And bake chocolate chip cookies to share at lunch break. There are people who work many hours to keep the boat afloat - all volunteers. I think this charming book captures the spirit of the Harvey community. And it's a wonderful way to introduce children to what happened on 9/11 when the towers went down. This review is becoming very personal. Sorry.
One comment: this is a children's book, but perhaps it is too intense for very small children. Be prepared to answer questions. "Why do people fly a plane into a building?" "How many people were hurt?" The illustrations are childlike, but this is not a book to read to a small child at bedtime. For slightly older children, it is a way to talk about the history of terrorism and answer challenging questions. Be sure to visit the Harvey website, and if you're ever in NYC, you may have a chance to take part in one of the Harvey's educational trips up the Hudson. (free to the public)
One comment: this is a children's book, but perhaps it is too intense for very small children. Be prepared to answer questions. "Why do people fly a plane into a building?" "How many people were hurt?" The illustrations are childlike, but this is not a book to read to a small child at bedtime. For slightly older children, it is a way to talk about the history of terrorism and answer challenging questions. Be sure to visit the Harvey website, and if you're ever in NYC, you may have a chance to take part in one of the Harvey's educational trips up the Hudson. (free to the public)
