The Firehouse Light

K-Gr 2—The history of firefighting is told through the story of a four-watt electric lightbulb that was installed in a wooden shack in Livermore, CA, more than 100 years ago. The bulb remained continuously lit as the shack became a fire station and the equipment progressed from horse-drawn carriages and water buckets to the fire engines and hoses of today. Nolan's unassuming storytelling is perfect for reading aloud. The line "Day after day, year after year, the lightbulb did not burn out" introduces each decade and the inventions it brought. Lafrances's acrylic paintings have a traditional, folk-art feeling as rural and small-town scenes evolve into modern cityscapes. An afterword and a photo of the lightbulb still burning today are included. This is a fascinating story that will appeal to those looking for a unique perspective on American cultural history.—Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY