Did you know? October is Fire Safety Month!

See my new book and DVD?

 Just in time, my fire-fighting lovin' 4 year old received a great package from Marshall Publishing and the TOS Crew. The LOTS and LOTS of FIRE TRUCKS and FIREFIGHTERS Book and LOTS and LOTS of FIRE SAFETY SONGS DVD set.  He was so very excited to open this up when it came in the mail, and couldn't wait to watch the DVD. 

There are 8 chapters on the DVD:

• Opening Theme which shows a lot of fire trucks in action~ flashing lights and more
• 911~ "Call 911 and Help Will Come" with many safety tips included
• Safety Tips~ with Fireman Jim. The only negative I have to offer is that there are few short segments in this section as well as in a couple others that are fuzzy and not in focus. This didn't appear to affect my 4 yo but it was bothersome to my middlest, eldest, and myself. I think it is unfortunate with such a well thought out production that the videography was not of consistently clear and in-focus  quality. However, as I mentioned, these are short segments, and they don't bother my youngest at all.
• Emergency~ This segment is also filled with lots of flashing lights, flames, and water. I appreciate this one because it shows some emergency situations without sensationalizing  them, or being too scary for the littlest.
• Heroes Brave and Tall~ this is one of MY favorite segments on the DVD~ includes forest-fire fighting, in addition to some of the more typical scenes, and the Heros theme is appreciated
• Build a Fire Truck~ visiting a factory to see a fire truck built high-speed from beginning to end~ Pretty cool! 
• Fire Trucks in Action~ audio from the dispatchers, and more flashing lights~ what little boy doesn't find that exciting??? Again, the short Fireman Jim segment in this "Chapter" wasn't extremely clear
• Great Big Fire Trucks~Another catchy theme song with lots of fire trucks trucking along and some "Working" clips
• Closing Theme (Same as the opening theme, but with the credits...)

The book is jam-packed with photos of fire engines, and related fire-fighting equipment. I definitely recommend pre-reading sections to be certain that they are appropriate for your children's maturity level. There are a few sections that discuss fire-fighter deaths, injuries, and events that might be inappropriate for very young or sensitive children. Nothing graphic, I'm not concerned with my pre-reader browsing through the book (As he has done numerous times....). Just be aware that there is information that is appropriate for a wide age range, not just the littlest~ 

LOTS and LOTS of Firetrucks!

The topics covered range from lots and lots of photographs to Fire Science Basics, Fire Prevention and Safety Tips, and a very detailed Fire History timeline (Starting with the burning of Rome in 64AD, and ending in 2006 with an entry on some of the worst Forest Fires the US has seen).

Other chapters include things I had never seen/heard before~ 

Chapter 10 Words of the Firefighter includes:

• The Fireman's Prayer
• The Fireman's Wife's Prayer
• Ten Commandments for Firefighters
• The Firefighter's Committment
• A Firefighter's Pledge

And Chapter 11 is Old Time Firefighter's Alphabet.
I must also add that there is an extensive Directory of close to 300 Fire-fighting museums across the country, listed by state. We are fortunate to have one in our own town, and when I visited them shortly after receiving this package, they were interested to hear about this book and DVD set. I plan to bring them to the museum for the volunteers to preview, as I think the video would be a perfect item for them to use during field trip classes!

My Littlest is very pleased that this isn't a book that has to be returned to the Library! :) If you have a child who is interested in fire engines, firemen and firefighting, this could be a great present! And if your child's thing isn't Fire Engines, but Trains or Planes, well, Marshall Publishing has offerings with those and more!  They even have a number of Historical DVDs to check out, including George Washington Carver, His Life and His Work (Grade 4-adult), which other TOS Crew Members received for review.

Nitty Gritty

DVD~ Best for Early Elementary to Middle Elementary Ages(With the book being appropriate for older ages as well)

Regular price: $49.90

WEB SALE PRICE: $29.95 but you can get an additional $10 off that price by entering the code TOSF1 at checkout. 

Be sure to visit the TOS Crew Blog and see what other folks had to say about  Lots and Lots of Fire Songs and Safety Tips, as well as George Washington Carver, His Life and His Work.

As always, I hope that this review helps you as you determine where best to spend your homeschooling budget. 

Blessings~

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this/these item(s)/service for free as part of the TOS Crew Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."