Policeman Small

Mr. Small #10

by Lois Lenski

Policeman Small gets to see a lot of what goes on in town. He's at his post, directing traffic, by six o'clock in the morning. On one busy day, Policeman Small makes sure the town's kids get to school safely. He also helps an ambulance and fire truck get through the intersection, and even leads a parade on his motorcycle. During the rush, Policeman Small spreads his cheer by saying hello to all the people passing in cars.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

56 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Lois Lenore Lenski Covey was an influential American author and illustrator whose work reshaped twentieth-century children’s literature through its combination of artistic skill, documentary realism, and deep empathy for childhood experience. Beginning her publishing career in the late 1920s, she went on to write and illustrate nearly one hundred books, ranging from picture books and historical novels to regional fiction, poetry, songbooks, and literary essays. She is best known for the Mr. Small picture book series, her meticulously researched historical novels, and her groundbreaking Regional books, which portrayed the everyday lives of children across diverse American communities.
Born in Ohio and trained formally as both an educator and an artist, Lenski studied at Ohio State University, the Art Students League of New York, and the Westminster School of Art in London. Although she initially aspired to be a painter, exhibiting work in New York galleries, she gradually turned to illustration and then to writing, encouraged by pioneering children’s editor Helen Dean Fish. Her early books drew heavily on her Midwestern childhood, while later works reflected extensive travel, field research, and close observation of family and community life.
Lenski achieved major critical recognition with her historical novels Phebe Fairchild: Her Book and Indian Captive, and with her Regional novel Strawberry Girl, which won the Newbery Medal. These works were notable for their commitment to authenticity, incorporating dialect, material culture, and social realities often avoided in children’s books of the era. She believed that literature for young readers should neither sentimentalize nor sanitize life, but instead foster understanding, tolerance, and empathy.
Alongside her own writing, Lenski illustrated works by other major authors, including Watty Piper’s The Little Engine That Could and the early volumes of Maud Hart Lovelace’s Betsy-Tacy series. Her influence extended beyond publishing through lectures, teaching, and advocacy. In 1967 she established the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, dedicated to providing books to children facing social and economic disadvantage.
In her later years, Lenski continued writing while living in Florida, publishing her autobiography Journey into Childhood shortly before her death. Her legacy endures through her books, her educational philosophy, and ongoing efforts to expand access to literature for children.

Reviews

[Ammie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My toddler gathers her Lenski books up daily. She asked me to buy more today. 💕

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, originally from 1962, definitely does not accurately describe the duties of today's police officers. But it is so cute and friendly and charming. My four-year-old son and I both loved it. His favorite part was the cats lapping up spilled milk in the street while the policeman stops traffic for them.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nephew and I did like Policeman Small, but it seemed longer than The Little Auto and Cowboy Small. The story was full of variety and action, but, well, it ended just before my nephew's attention span bottomed out.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Policeman Small gets to see a lot of what goes on in town. He's at his post, directing traffic, by six o'clock in the morning. On one busy day, Policeman Small makes sure the town's kids get to school safely. He also helps an ambulance and fire truck get through the intersection, and even leads a parade on his motorcycle. During the rush, Policeman Small spreads his cheer by saying hello to all the people passing in cars.

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life is a little nicer in this world. There are definitely fewer tickets issued than in today's world.

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Lenski's "Small" books (Farmer, Cowboy, Fireman) when I was in elementary school. I checked them out over & over!

[Brian Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

adorable and timeless little Lois classic we enjoy again and again.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Community Helpers preschool book.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute book. I love the illustrations, and there's even a song inside the front cover, about Policeman Small, with lyrics written by Lois Lenski.

[Raraanir · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely amazing.

[Daniel Barrows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small is a traffic cop. There's no crime or arrests here. We are shown a typical day in simple sentences, with some minor excitements requiring swift action by our protagonist. Everyone is friendly. The reader empathizes as Small gets tired and goes home.

This is an all-white town. There is no variety in skin colors here.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think police officers really do many of the things Policeman Small does anymore. I certainly don't know of any officer who stands in the same intersection all day. Still, this book is charming and my three-year-old was thoroughly engrossed.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy all of Lois Lenski's "Mr. Small" books. They are simple for young children and the artwork is detailed and fun to look at. I love how Policeman Small makes the traffic stop so the cats can drink the milk that spilled out of the dairy truck. Lenski pays little attention to rules of perspective but rather makes the people she wants the viewer to focus on larger than everyone else, even if it makes no logical sense, it somehow makes sense visually. It's all very playful and good fun.

[Liane Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Category: Boardbook

Age: 0-3+ years

Synopsis: In this sturdy boardbook filled with old-timey charm and illustrations, Policeman Small conducts traffic in a small town in America. This book is by the author of “Cowboy Small,” which received a 5 star rating on this blog.

Bilingual benefit: This book introduces simple sentences that are useful in English to describe daily life. The book also features onomatopoeic expressions that are unique to English. While some of the scenes may seem outdated for children (and parents) who have never encountered a “stop and go” sign, this book is a great source of a bygone era of America. There is even a scene in the soda shop that resembles the policeman in Normal Rockwell’s painting, “The Runaway,” that graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in 1958.

Availability in Israel: While this book is not available in Israel, it can be ordered on Amazon USA.

Previewing the book: This book is available for preview on Amazon USA. (last checked 7/10/2014)

Lil guy: A regular read.

Mama: I would buy this again and for a friend.

[Millie Simonds · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good beginning book for Pre-K or Kindergarten. There were a few more words on the pages than most beginning books but the words were simple and there wasn't an intricate plot or story line. I thought that the pictures were simple enough for beginning readers also. It also makes police officers seem friendly to children which is great.

[Jasmine Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good beginning book for Pre-K or Kindergarten. There were a few more words on the pages than most beginning books but the words were simple and there wasn't an intricate plot or story line. I thought that the pictures were simple enough for beginning readers also. It also makes police officers seem friendly to children which is great.

[Partridge Public]

Lenski, Lois K-1st

[Misha · Rating 1 out of 5]

Incredibly repetitious and boring, including gender stereotypes, but my son is too young to care.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids LOVED this book!

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

little out of date

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver loved this book

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 2 out of 5]

3* art
2* story

Squirt likes the Cowboy better, I'm afraid.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lenski is a timeless joy for me and my boy. Perfect marriage of text and art. Lots of visual details and small dramas to drink in.