Wildfire!

by Ashley Wolff

With stunning, cinematic art, this fact-based picture book takes readers into the heart of a forest fire and shows how animals survive, how heroic first responders curb the flames, and how life gradually returns to the forest.

There is a flash. Then a crack. Bluejay spreads the “Firefirefire in the forest!”

There’s a wildfire on Spruce Mountain! High up in the Evergreen Tower, dispatcher Maria sees it, too. She calls on expert teams of pilots, smokejumpers, and firefighters to battle the blaze. Meanwhile, the animals of the forest, from bears to deer to turtles, take shelter from the smoke and flames.

Featuring detailed end matter about forest fires and firefighting techniques and tools, this timely picture book is perfect for anyone interested in firefighting and protecting our natural spaces.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Animals, Firefighters, Childrens, Nonfiction, Environment

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 2, 2021

Reviews

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of a wildfire, the creatures whose lives are at stake, and the humans who spot and fight wildfires, the book is vividly illustrated (a spread as the fire dies down is truly gorgeous), and has terrific back matter of fire fighting terms, tools, and the author's connection to the story.

I have to admit this book made me anxious, but I knew this author wouldn't set a fire only to have everything destroyed.

[Lisa Yee Swope · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bambi, "Man is in the forest" means the animals have to be extra alert. But when the forest fire in Wildfire (in this case it starts with a lightning strike) is spotted by park rangers, the animals have their communications to take care of each other and get to safety, and humans must alert the firefighters and emergency crews to work to contain the fire. As wildfires become more frequent and widespread, this is to remind us how much we need to take care of each other and the world around us. I never realized how illustrations could show urgency like this.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Wildfire! by Ashley Wolff, a fascinating look at two sides of a forest fire – the animals escaping it and the humans working to contain it.

A lightning storm strikes in the early morning hours of a dense mountain forest, leaving a spark that causes Jay to chirp out an alert: “FireFireFire in the forest!”. As various animals seek shelter, protect themselves from, and cry warnings of the advancing flames, a team of dedicated humans – from fire lookouts to pilots to smokejumpers – spring into action to contain the fire as quickly as possible. As the night falls, their brave actions and some fortunate weather extinguish the flames, and the humans head home, leaving the forest’s animals to find growth and new life in the aftermath of the wildfire.

Exciting and educational. Wolff provides a brief yet incredibly thorough look at the impact of forest fires: how they’re fought, how they affect wildlife, and even how they can be a beneficial incident in some ecosystems’ life cycles. Switching between human and animal perspectives also gives a real sense of urgency and empathy; readers can feel the danger that an out-of-control fire can present to human and animal life. Rich, textured illustrations give intensity to scenes of sheltering creatures and smoke jumpers battling huge blazes, as well as a sense of calm and and relief when the danger has passed. Backmatter gives important information on the causes of forest fires, as well as firefighting tools and vocabulary. The length is great for a quick storytime, and JJ loved the animal sections especially. This is a gripping tale that fans of firefighting and forestry will love; Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Melissa the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying not to feel triggered after living through several Colorado summers while reading this book!! But it was beautifully done and will appeal to a lot of kids.

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a short narrative, Wolff gives both forest animals and wildfire firefighters a voice in this informative fiction story.
I love that Wolff dedicates this book to her son, who worked as a hotshot (name of a specific wildfire firefighter).

[Hunter Hackett]

Wonderful clear painterly illustrations brimming with texture and purpose. Congratulations to Ashley Wolff.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. A blue jay and Maria, a fire tower scout, are the first to spot the wildfire. Love how the human and animal responses to the fire are both shown. Lots of interesting firefighting equipment. Narrative nonfiction book: there’s a glossary, informative author note, terms & tools, sources, and dedication to her firefighter son. Expert content reviewers are credited. Great illustrations.

[Nichole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will be great for Fire Safety Week!

[Einar Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book to determine its suitability for an educational tool in early childhood classrooms and read-aloud events. It’s excellent! Not only does it incidentally refer to my agency (“Evergreen Dispatch”—I’m the risk reduction coordinator for Evergreen Fire/Rescue in Colorado), but its messaging is perfect.

The author represents firefighting, fire behavior, and biodiversity better than any other children’s book I have encountered. She also includes diversity among the characters. In her acknowledgments, she thanks firefighters from California and Oregon for their assistance. She did her homework and she applied her homework. I can’t ask for anything more, but I will mention the illustrations are amazing.

I look forward to using this book in my risk reduction efforts.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers young readers a look into how animals and people respond when lightning ignites a forest fire. Animals flee and seek shelter while birds call out a warning that there is fire. A ranger in a fire tower spots the fire and mobilizes the firefighters who work tirelessly to turn back the wind-driven blaze. Finally a bulldozer is able to create a fire break, the wind dies down, and a welcome rain comes to help put out the flames.

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

Western wildfires are in the news quite a lot throughout the summer, and this book provides a lot of clear, easy-to-understand information for younger kids who may have questions. The illustrations are bold and eye-catching.

[Clementine · Rating 4 out of 5]

a really nice explanation of wildfires and how people respond to it - the author's note makes mention of the increasing role that humans and climate change play in this.

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about a forest during a forest fire. We see the animals running from the fire and we also see the fire fighters and how they fight the fire. They use rhymes for to tell the story, but mostly the pictures tell the story.

We don't have any character to really ground in, so we as the reader, aren't connected to the story. The animals are cute and we want them to be safe and saved.

The artwork is also very dramatic. The artwork is acrylic gouache on Arches cover paper.

Every summer, we see forest fires on TV now, so kids might be interested how this happens.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

With summer upon the western U.S. this book explains the wildfires in forests and the animals and humans response to the fire. The planes and helicopters that are needed to fight the fires are sent out and parachuting fire fighters. Very colorful illustrations and easy to read explanations of the animals reactions and the humans efforts to put it out. Back matter with fire fighting tools and terms are helpful to understand this event and the aftermath.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning illustrations of forest animals. Their faces are so expressive, as are the "FireFireFire" calls of the different species of birds. The book is sobering, and makes me think that we, as a human people, can do better than letting so many wild animals burn in wildfires that are becoming more frequent and more severe.
We can do better.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book and so did the class!

This is the story of a forest fire. It was super engaging. Every other page spread is about either the animals or the firefighters who help to get the fire out. We learned a lot and the illustrations are beautiful. This is my class’s favorite Monarch book so far!

[Kareena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would be okay for a firefighter storytime to help give more context, but not super engaging to read. Illustrations were beautiful but the story itself was meh. Very informative, would highly recommend to a young child who was interested in firefighters to read at home.

[Erin *BookDragon_Library* · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5
I like how this alternates between the animals view and people view showing bother where animals go in fire and what people do to fight it. The back has some information about forest fires and fighting them.

[Abigail Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my boys (8&9 yrs) this morning. We were all hooked. It’s a beautifully crafted story of wildfires told from both the human and animal perspective. I loved the oscillating points of view and the entrance information in the back. I highly recommend!

[Alexa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a bit of a longer read for a read aloud. The illustrations are gorgeous. I think younger readers who are interested in how disasters are handled will appreciate this. Glossary at the end helps explain firefighting terms.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up. Loved the detailed, lifelike illustrations and notes at the end informing readers why wildfires are helpful for the environment as well as the necessity of humans being careful and responsible.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully rendered book about wildfires. A salute to all who fight them and an informative book for everyone who wants to know more about why they happen and how to reduce them.

Mia’s Year of Books: Day 36 Monarch Nominee 2025

[Reilly K. Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book presents the perspectives of animals, fire fighters, and park employees, which was really effective. This is an important story to tell! (Made me cry a little)

(A 2025 Monarch Award book nominee!)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent illustrations which are integral to understanding.
Gives a good view of how this affects the wildlife and also of how firefighters work to stop the fire from moving further. Ends well by giving readers an idea of how life returns to a burned environment.

[Elizabeth]

I really liked the illustrations.

[Lisa Zinkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved that it shows different animals and what they do when a fire is approaching. Also great appendix.

[SamSamSam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could be abridged for storytime. BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

solid

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork. Love the back matter that explains the official terms used in the book.