What do you think?
Rate this book
Magnus at the Fire
Magnus lives and works at the Broadway Firehouse. He knows that when the fire alarm clangs, he and his partners, Billy and Sparks, are supposed to spring into action. Without them the firemen would never be able to move the gigantic steam pumper. And without a pumper the crew wouldn't be able to put out fires.
Then one day the captain drives into the firehouse on a loud, newfangled contraption called a motorized fire truck. It doesn't need horses to pull it to a fire. So just like that, Magnus, Sparks, and Billy are out of a job.
A little history, a little humor, and a whole lot of heart are artfully blended in this rousing tale of one high-spirited horse who can't accept being put out to pasture. And thank goodness! Because it's this steadfast sense of duty that ultimately saves the day.
Then one day the captain drives into the firehouse on a loud, newfangled contraption called a motorized fire truck. It doesn't need horses to pull it to a fire. So just like that, Magnus, Sparks, and Billy are out of a job.
A little history, a little humor, and a whole lot of heart are artfully blended in this rousing tale of one high-spirited horse who can't accept being put out to pasture. And thank goodness! Because it's this steadfast sense of duty that ultimately saves the day.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 26, 2005
39 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Armstrong
96 books71 followersJennifer Armstrong learned to read and write in Switzerland, in a small school for English speaking children on the shores of Lake Zurich. The school library had no librarian and no catalog – just shelves of interesting books. She selected books on her own, read what she could, and made up the rest. It was perfect. As a result, she made her career choice – to become an author – in first grade. When she and her family returned to the U.S. she discovered that not all children wrote stories and read books, and that not all teachers thought reading real books was important. Nevertheless, she was undaunted. Within a year of leaving college she was a free-lance ghost writer for a popular juvenile book series, and before long published her first trade novel, Steal Away, which won her a Golden Kite Honor for fiction.
More than fifty additional novels and picture books followed, and before long she also tried her hand at nonfiction, winning an Orbis Pictus Award and a Horn Book Honor for her first nonfiction book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. In late 2003 she will travel to the South Pole with the National Science Foundation to do research for a book on ice.
More than fifty additional novels and picture books followed, and before long she also tried her hand at nonfiction, winning an Orbis Pictus Award and a Horn Book Honor for her first nonfiction book, Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World. In late 2003 she will travel to the South Pole with the National Science Foundation to do research for a book on ice.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 12, 2020
Excellent glimpse into that part of history! Back when horses were trained to run toward a fire pulling the water to put it out. We loved the beautiful illustrations & the facts at the end, what a change the invention of the motor brought!
January 22, 2008
This book explores a piece of history that many children will be unfamiliar with. Before there were modern firetrucks, the engines were pulled by horses. This is the story of a fire horse who is being replaced by an automated truck. The illustrations are beautiful and this will be a hit with boys, and all those who are fascinated by firefighters. However, since this is a longer picture book I don't think it would work well for storytime.
June 23, 2010
Who doesn't love a little history and horses? :) A wonderful story about a fire horse named Magnus who isn't too pleased when he finds himself put out to pasture and replaced by a motorized fire engine.
Stunningly beautiful illustrations done with oil paint make this a very visually appealing story! Lovely note to the reader at the end about the use of horses in firefighting back in the 1800s.
Stunningly beautiful illustrations done with oil paint make this a very visually appealing story! Lovely note to the reader at the end about the use of horses in firefighting back in the 1800s.
December 19, 2020
Magnus is a powerful horse, one of a team of three that live at the firehouse and when the fire alarm sounds, are quickly hitched to pull the steam pumper to the fire. They are fleet and fearless, standing steady amid the chaos around the fire. Once the fire is out, they calmly pull the pumper back to the station.
One day, a mechanical fire engine arrives at the station and the team of three are literally put out to pasture. Still believing in his usefulness, when Magnus hears the fire alarm go off, he jumps the fence and races after the fire engine until it arrives at the fire. The firefighters do all they can to discourage Magnus, but he persists.
One day the alarm sounds and while it is on the way to the fire, the motor on the fire truck quits. The firefighters and many men nearby try to push it the rest of the way, but they can’t move it. Thinking quickly, one of the firefighters runs to Magnus and brings him to the engine. Creating a makeshift harness out of a hose, Magnus is hooked to the fire truck. Despite the heavy weight, with the assistance of the human pushers, Magnus is able to pull the truck close enough to the fire.
This is a great story about animals and their sense of loyalty to the tasks they know. While Magnus has been replaced by advancing technology, he still wants to do what he has been trained for. At the end, he is retired to a happy life of eating well and pulling children in a wagon.
One day, a mechanical fire engine arrives at the station and the team of three are literally put out to pasture. Still believing in his usefulness, when Magnus hears the fire alarm go off, he jumps the fence and races after the fire engine until it arrives at the fire. The firefighters do all they can to discourage Magnus, but he persists.
One day the alarm sounds and while it is on the way to the fire, the motor on the fire truck quits. The firefighters and many men nearby try to push it the rest of the way, but they can’t move it. Thinking quickly, one of the firefighters runs to Magnus and brings him to the engine. Creating a makeshift harness out of a hose, Magnus is hooked to the fire truck. Despite the heavy weight, with the assistance of the human pushers, Magnus is able to pull the truck close enough to the fire.
This is a great story about animals and their sense of loyalty to the tasks they know. While Magnus has been replaced by advancing technology, he still wants to do what he has been trained for. At the end, he is retired to a happy life of eating well and pulling children in a wagon.
September 30, 2018
story of Magnus, a fire horse who, like his companions, are replaced by the industrial age of vehicles.
However, when the firemen need him most, Magnus helps.
Based of historical facts about the fire horses, would be a great history/read aloud for firefighters; probably best for a 2nd or 3rd Grade reading level; stellar illustrations;
Show-Me winner
However, when the firemen need him most, Magnus helps.
Based of historical facts about the fire horses, would be a great history/read aloud for firefighters; probably best for a 2nd or 3rd Grade reading level; stellar illustrations;
Show-Me winner
July 28, 2021
This is a wonderful historical fiction picture book for older elementary children and horse lovers of all ages.
January 10, 2017
Good story. Great bold illustrations and beautiful horses!
December 29, 2011
This book is really a nice piece of work. The illustrations are just fantastic, and what a story! It is exciting, it's emotional, and it's educational. My niece and nephew were so quiet while we read this story (that's *very* rare) that you could have heard a pin drop. I was really surprised that Magnus at the Fire held their interest so completely, because the story is fairly long for a picture book. It's just action packed, and full of ups and downs, and the kids were just glued to it.
As for me, there were points in this book where I could feel myself choking up. I just don't like to *do* that, so if a book can get that kind of emotional response out of me, it's impressive. If you want a movie made out of a picture book, this should be the picture book chosen. Magnus at the Fire has "A Steven Spielberg Film" written all over it. Great job to Jennifer Armstrong and Owen Smith!
As for me, there were points in this book where I could feel myself choking up. I just don't like to *do* that, so if a book can get that kind of emotional response out of me, it's impressive. If you want a movie made out of a picture book, this should be the picture book chosen. Magnus at the Fire has "A Steven Spielberg Film" written all over it. Great job to Jennifer Armstrong and Owen Smith!
January 17, 2013
the paintings! wow! I picked this up at the library because I thought Miles might enjoy a story involving fire fighting before there were self-propelled fire engines. He really loved it, the part about fire fighting and the horses! Magnus isnt' needed to pull the steam powered pump anymore after the fire station buys a fancy new fire engine. But he can't stop him self from responding to the call of duty whenever the fire bell rings. I appreciated the writing style as not at all dumbed down, while at the same time tight and simple. Love it
March 12, 2016
My boys aren't really into horses, but this book caught my eye at the library. It's a sweet, exciting story, and the artwork is gorgeous. Magnus is quite magnificent. :)
I loved learning about the fire horses and how they lived at the fire houses, 100 plus years ago, then were eventually fazed out due to the invention of steam locomotives.
A fascinating look at history and animals for ages 5-10.
I loved learning about the fire horses and how they lived at the fire houses, 100 plus years ago, then were eventually fazed out due to the invention of steam locomotives.
A fascinating look at history and animals for ages 5-10.
September 3, 2013
A beautiful book with magnificent illustrations that make the book what it is. A wonderful story about a firehorse who is put out of work due to the upcoming technology of fire trucks and how reliable the horse really is in comparison. Again, the illustrations are a must-see and the book would be a fantastic introduction to the industrial age.
July 22, 2014
My five-year-old son wanted red books when he went to the library last week, so he picked out this one.
Holy Cow -- What a gorgeous book! The text was a bit long and advanced for my little boy, but the illustrations were staggeringly gorgeous and majestic. We'll have to check this book out again in a year or so.
Holy Cow -- What a gorgeous book! The text was a bit long and advanced for my little boy, but the illustrations were staggeringly gorgeous and majestic. We'll have to check this book out again in a year or so.
December 4, 2014
4.25 Stars A really cool story about a fire horse and the transition from Horse Drawn Fire Wagon to Engine.
The illustrations are great! I also like the authors note in the back.
It said NYC Fire department in 1910 that a team of horses cost $660 but an engine cost $85 a year.
Interesting story of days gone by!
The illustrations are great! I also like the authors note in the back.
It said NYC Fire department in 1910 that a team of horses cost $660 but an engine cost $85 a year.
Interesting story of days gone by!
September 8, 2008
A stirring tale of historical fiction recalling the days when horses pulled the fire engines - my father (who would have been in his eighties now) used to tell me he remembered the day when the horses left the fire station and they brought in the trucks. Interesting then, interesting now.
September 3, 2013
The illustrations in this book are incredible! Great color and painting! Very life-like! The story was also very adventurous. Overall theme of (bravery, and the era of new technologies). Surely children in elementary will love the story of Magnus at the Broadway Firehouse! Text: (3rd grade level)
September 28, 2008
A lot of text, but really nice illustrations and I love the history of the horses pulling the fire engine. Great for girls that love horses or boys who love fire trucks.
April 24, 2010
Grade 1-4 SLJ/ Ages 5-8 BK
Story of how horses used to pull fire trucks until the motorized fire truck was invented. educational non-fiction note at the end. Vibrant/ great illustrations
Story of how horses used to pull fire trucks until the motorized fire truck was invented. educational non-fiction note at the end. Vibrant/ great illustrations
April 21, 2012
This was about a fire horse that could not stand retiring. Good for talking about making people feel needed and loved.
August 5, 2016
Work. But really of course the horse will come running when he hears the bell. That's what he's been trained to do.
Read
January 28, 2013Horses
December 17, 2014
Good Book.
November 12, 2013
What an amazing kids book! I loved reading it and I think the storyline is very creative. I have never seen a book on this subject before.
April 15, 2014
Great read, horses and history. Powerful illustrations.
May 4, 2014
This is a wonderful horse book about a faithful horse working at a fire house. Great book for boys who love horses!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews