(2) PS Dalmatians have long been associated with fire trucks and stations. In this preschooler-pitched book about canine fire rescue, we meet four endearing pups: Spot, Zippy, Pip, and Wink. At the firehouse, they are trained to listen, use their sense of smell, check for movement in the dark, and gently carry things in their mouths -- all skills they will use in a real fire. When the alarm rings with a "CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!" the firefighters and dogs jump into action. Once they arrive at a burning house, the drama builds as each dog makes a rescue: Pip sees movement through smoke and brings a hamster to safety, Spot opens a birdcage door and leads a parrot outside, and so forth. Desimini (Dot the Fire Dog, rev. 11/01) presents information simply for young listeners. The illustrations, in collage and paint and finished digitally, use strong, bold colors and depict adorable pups that are eager and attentive. An enjoyable story that successfully introduces firefighters and their firehouse to a young audience from an angle appealing to animal lovers. Back matter includes safety tips and a historical note about Dalmatians' role as fire dogs.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 2025

(4) K-3 After a flea family auditions and wins a spot in the acrobatic troupe The Fleatastics, young daughter Sarafleana, a "born jumper," itches to go solo. The book contains winning wordplay ("The greatest show on dogs!"; "grand fleanale") and applause-worthy artistic detail, but the layouts are so chaotic--there's running text, dialogue balloons, and micro-size asides--that it's hard to know what to read when.

Reviewer: Nell Beram

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Matt Mahurin. Different parents enumerate the many things they long to share with their children. The list includes such intimacies as "how soft a blanket can be" to the enormity of "how much I love you." Desimini's spare poetic text is paired with dramatic illustrations, which help make concrete the abstract concepts of the text. Even so, both art and text feel stiff and distant.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(3) PS Police partners Lou and Sue guide schoolchildren safely across the street, write a parking ticket, and apprehend a purse snatcher during their day. This friendly and informative look at the responsibilities of police officers will be a welcome addition to elementary classroom community-helper studies. Desimini's straightforward illustrations are just right for the clear, direct story.

Reviewer: Maeve Visser Knoth

(2) PS This is a bold, engaging outlet for preschoolers' perennial fascination with firefighters. Dalmatian Dot plays a central role in the firehouse and on an emergency call where the company successfully rescues an old man and his cat and puts out the fire. Throughout the story, both text and art highlight the details of greatest interest to children. The final page offers fire safety tips for adults and children to talk about together.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: November, 2001

(4) K-3 A sun-loving boy giant and moony girl giant live their solitary lives on opposite ends of the planet, not realizing there is anyone else in the world as mammoth as themselves, until an eclipse brings them together. The story won't have a lot of child-appeal; however, the surreal mixed-media illustrations incorporate photographs to create arresting images, such as the boy sleeping on a tree-dotted plain, covered with a blanket of birds.

Reviewer: Christine M. Heppermann