Kai to the Rescue!: Kai to the Rescue

by Audrey Penn, Mike Yamada (Illustrator)

Will the red fire trucks accept the new green-and-white fire trucks at Firehouse #10? Kai is a small green-and-white pumper truck who moves into Firehouse #10. Firehouse #10 has some of the biggest, reddest fire trucks around. So how can Kai fit in with the other fire trucks? When a big fire breaks out, it's Kai who saves the day!From the New York Times bestselling author of The Kissing Hand , Audrey Penn, Kai to the Rescue! is a delightful story that celebrates the differences that make every one of us special. The trucks come to life with the exciting, kid-friendly art of up-and-coming animator and illustrator Mike Yamada! Kai to the Rescue! is perfect for National Fire Prevention Month (October) and Fire Prevention Week (the second week of October). Confidence comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Trucks, Fiction, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey Penn has written another great book. This one reminds me of a Thomas the Tank Engine book with its illustration of Kai and the other fire trucks. Once again it is the little one who saves the day and becomes part of the group. The test is lyrical and when Kai is to arrive the captain of the crew expresses his dismay with these words,: Oh, no,no,no!" wailed the captain. This will not do! I'm very happy with my crew, crew, crew." Kai is even the wrong color to make matters worse. In the end because of his size Kai is able to help his team and earn their respect. Kids will love the fire truck characters and laugh as he tries to use crayons to change his color to fit it. Good book to discuss how we all are important no matter our size or color.

[AMY · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a story about a little firetruck with the wrong colors (green and white) trying to make a difference even though he's small and looked down on by others. He uses red crayons to color himself red so he will blend in with the others. He is still not accepted because the other truck says he's really still green and white underneath (can't change). Then a forest fire requires a machine that can go low down through the area and Kai is perfect for the job. Rhyming is not that great. The story is just so so. It shows you must be yourself and find your own way to contribute in the world and others will finally appreciate you. I would skip this one. It is too long for a read-aloud. Maybe grades 2-3 would like it but I wouldn't buy it for my library.

[Serenity · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free review copy of this book from the publisher through my district library services*

This will go over well with younger kiddos who love fire trucks. The cover is very eye-catching. The rhyming dialogue of just one character is a bit awkward, but makes the character distinctive. This should be a fun readaloud for younger children and might spark some good discussions about teamwork and how important different roles can be.

[Aragon Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ☆s rounded up to a 4 because a 3 is too low...

I picked this book out primarily because my oldest child's nickname is "Ky" and he did enjoy that about this book... It is a cute story about how everyone has their strengths and can make a difference.

Illustration : Nothing special in my opinion but my kids liked it because it was similar style to "Tayo The Little Bus", "Titipo" etc which they love.

Story : Cute, purposeful but predictable

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Size and color matter for fire trucks...or so the fire trucks think when they get a new pumper named Kai. Kai is small and green, and he's not so sure he'll fit in with the big engines. But when a fire comes along, will he be able to prove his worth to the other engines.

Oz said he liked the book. It's in a similar style to the Stinky and Dirty show so he was familiar with the art style.

[Orion Kopf · Rating 2 out of 5]

Orion: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN BECAUSE IT HAS FIRE TRUCKS

Mom: This book is kinda racist. Why does one character speak in rhyme but not the others? Why do anthropomorphized fire trucks need ladders, masks or axes? Who is using them? Sigh

[Beck Kapellas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kai was turning himself red by crayons. He learned how to fight fire & it was ok to be any color.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly longer than I would read to a group, but good for families to share, a story about a firefighting team of vehicles, and their newest member. Not only is Kai the smallest, he is green, where the other vehicles at the firehouse are red. The story goes as you would expect, with little Kai saving the day and proving his worth. Highlights are the bright illustrations, the way some of the other trucks were accepting of little Kai, while only the biggest, the captain, was hesitant. I liked how the other trucks didn't just follow what the biggest truck said, but had their own personalities.

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kai, a brand new pumper truck goes to work at Firehouse #10. The captain and crew complain about Kai's color (green), his size (small), and age (young). Finally, Kai is able to perform a task that the other fire trucks are unable to do - fit into the underbrush and put out a fire. All the trucks admit that Kai is a good fire fighting truck. Rhyming text from the fire engines is mixed with regular narrative.

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

The message of being yourself and using your own talents to make friends and succeed can't be used too many times for kids. This one had cute illustrations and I always love a personified service vehicle tale. The narrative got a little clashy at times with the mix between normal text and the odd rhyming and repetitive speech of the head fire engine. Sticking to one or the other probably would have been more successful. Ultimately a fun read, especially for little rescue or car enthusiasts.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

my children really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure at first but the message it told eventually came across by the end. I would recommend this book to others.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Adorably illustrated story of perseverance and proving one's worth. The narrative stumbles in that it can't decide if it's a story in rhyme and the rhymes don't always work.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, just a little on the long side.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Digital illustrations complement a story of acceptance featuring a small green fire truck named Kai. The other larger trucks aren't all that welcoming to the little guy. Captain Chuck even makes fun of his color--green instead of red! But Kai proves himself when the trucks have to go to work, and it seems that he has gained the respect of even his toughest critic by the time the fire is put out. This one is a good read aloud for sharing with students as a reminder that size doesn't always matter, especially if someone has a big heart.