October is a great time to discuss and explore fire safety because that’s when Fire Safety Week is, but really you can do this any time of the year. This post shares fire safety children’s books that you can use for this purpose. All of the picture books on this list lend themselves to this topic really well. Take a peek below to learn more about these fire safety children’s books!
3 Fire Safety Children’s Books
Below is a list of some of our favorite fire safety children’s books to share with elementary students. They are part of our Fire Safety Book Companion Bundle. Check them out!
1. Dot the Fire Dog by Lisa Desimini
The story, Dot the Fire Dog, follows Dot and her life at the fire station. When there isn’t a fire, she rests by the big rubber boots, and the fighters might be cooking dinner, reading a book, or playing catch. When the alarm goes off though, everyone drops everything they are doing and they put on their gear and head out to the firetruck!
They all ride in the firetruck to the fire and Dot and another firefighter go into the house to rescue an old sick man and his kitten. The firefighters work hard to put out the fire as they get the man and kitten outside.
When the fire is put out, Dot and the firefighters go back to the station where they check their gear, clean their gear, and wash the truck. When all that is done, they rest until the alarm goes off again.
Check out these Dot the Fire Dog teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
2. Fireboat by Maira Kalman
Maria Kalman’s book, Fireboat, introduces readers to a little known hero of September 11th. The fireboat, The Harvey, played an important role in fighting fires on that day in 2001.
Readers will be introduced to The Harvey and how it’s first job was putting out fires in New York City when the piers were busy. Overtime, the piers were no longer as busy and fireboats were not needed as often. The boat was going to be sold for scrap, but a group of friends decided to buy it! They thought it would be fun to fix up the boat and drive it for enjoyment. No one thought The Harvey would be able to fight fires again.
However, on the day when the planes crashed into the Twin Towers, The Harvey was there to help. Originally, they were going to ferry people to safety. But the fire department needed help because the water pipes were broken and buried. Fireboats like The Harvey were needed to get water and fight the fires. The Harvey’s crew fought the fires for several days until everything was under control. The boat even earned an award for their help that day.
Now The Harvey is back to being used for fun, but it will always be remembered for the way it helped on September 11th, 2001. Check out these Fireboat teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
3. A Chair for My Mother by Vera B. Williams
A Chair For My Mother by Vera Williams is the story of a young girl named Rosa and her mother. Not too long ago, there was a fire in Rosa’s apartment and they lost everything. Their neighbors, friends and family helped by donating many things. However, they did not have a sofa or big chairs. Rosa’s mother worked as a waitress at a diner. Sometimes Rosa helped out at the diner and earned money. Both Rosa and her mother saved their money in a big jar. When the jar was full they planned to buy the chair of their dreams.
One day, the jar was full! Rosa, her mother and grandmother went to the store searching for the perfect chair. When they find it, they take it home right away. Now Rosa’s mother can sit in the chair to rest after a long day.
Check out these A Chair for My Mother teaching resources and activities to help you plan and deliver highly engaging read aloud lessons!
Grab the Free Reading Resources!
In closing, we hope you found this list of fire safety children’s books helpful! They are part of our Starts With a Story collection. If you want to get more book ideas to read aloud to your elementary students, then grab this reading freebie. It includes read aloud books lists, reading logs, and reading challenges for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classroom teachers. It will have you covered for the entire school year, as well as the summer months! Grab this free elementary reading packet now!
