A FIRE TRUCK NAMED RED: Blog Tour!

De Sève, Randall. A Fire Truck Named Red. Illus. by Bob Staake. New York: MacMillan Children's, 2016. Print. 

Rowan has picked out his birthday present: a toy fire truck with all the bells (sirens!) and whistles. But instead of the smooth spinning wheels and a working siren, Rowan receives Red, the less-than-luster, worn-with-time firetruck his grandfather played with as a child. Disappointed, Rowan watches and listens as his grandfather fix up the toy and recounts exciting tales of their adventures together. With each anecdote, Rowan becomes more interested in the truck, while also connecting with his grandfather. 

Written by Randall de Sève (author of Toy Boat and The Duchess of Whimsy), this newly released picture book conveys two major themes: old vs. new, (Is the new shiny thing always better?) and the power of story to bridge gaps. At first, that huge gorgeous new truck (featured gloriously by Bob Staake in the second opening) is all that Rowan thought he wanted. But with his grandfather's stories attached, the possibilities for Red suddenly open up to Rowan. Told in perfect pace and building with excitement, Papa's stories set the stage for Rowan's own future adventures, and make him forget all about that truck in the window. 

With Red's story (and Papa's) Randall de Sève reminds us of the value in the artifacts of our past, but also alerts us to their possibilities in our present. Which of our treasured momentos (gathering dust somewhere) could bring joy to someone else? 

Illustrator Bob Staake's illustrations masterfully tell two stories at once: Papa's AND Rowan's. Through the use of sepia, Staake (Bluebird, My Pet Book)  transports readers to Papa's childhood. Wise placement of gutters (straight through the middle of Papa's garage, dividing past and present) put readers in the middle of Red's heroics. Notice how Rowan is pulled into the stories as pages are turned: Staake showing us Rowan transformed attitude and outlook. 

In this fire truck named Red, readers have a delightful story showcasing the power of memories to bring joy anew to others. 

To read more about the work of Randall de Sève visit her website here.