Meet Sparky. This adorable Dalmatian puppy is an important member of the team at the fire station. But he's more than just a cute character in a book: Sparky is the official spokesdog for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and what he has to say can actually save lives. This canine hero rescued a little girl and her family, and now he's helping kids become junior fire inspectors right in their own homes. In colorful, appealing illustrations, Sparky takes a group of young animals through the neighborhood, pointing out hazards, giving basic fire prevention and safety tips, and showing them how to be prepared in case of an emergency. From having a working smoke alarm to being careful with candles and knowing where your exits are, Sparky's advice may be the most important thing children--and their parents--ever learn.

Best-selling author Frank Viscuso (Step Up and Lead) and renowned artist and author Paul Combs (Drawn by Fire) have teamed up again to bring you Sprinkles the Fire Dog 2: Making a Difference, the second book of the popular series about the little puppy from a big city who achieved his dream of becoming a fire dog. Ever since becoming a fire dog, Sprinkles has enjoyed helping others. In part 2 of his journey, Sprinkles heads back into the dark, lonely city to find and help another dog in need. This entertaining story will inspire children to pursue their dreams, overcome adversity, fight for what they believe in, be kind, and help others along the way.

"Children will love the story for its charm and rollicking fun, and the salient points will make a lasting impression. A top choice for Fire Prevention Week." — School Library Journal Stop! Drop! Roll! Learning the rules of fire safety is a lot more fun (and less scary) when demonstrated by a charming and diverse group of animals. Alligator, Panda, Octopus, and the others work hard to master the rules of fire safety and perform the perfect fire drill, but thinking about fire is a bit nerve-wracking, and each of them reacts differently — often with hilarious results. Sprinkled with fascinating facts about animal behavior, this second story about the characters in Miss Mingo’s one-of-a-kind class is sure to appeal to readers of all stripes.

Lucille is jealous of her little sister, Margaret.

A little girl wants a pet. She's not fussy, any will do. Her mother said no to a bird and bunny and trained seal. Then she agrees to the sloth, Sparky! Sloths don't know how to fetch. Or roll over. But they sure know how to play dead. What's an eager pet owner to do?

“The most important book on cooking over live fire in decades. Life of Fire illuminates it all, from coal beds, to home-built pits (in minutes!) to simple, delicious, recipes and enough whole hog know-how to impress the weekend warriors without intimidating newcomers.”—Andrew Zimmern ONE OF THE BEST COOKBOOKS OF THE YEAR: Saveur One of the few pitmasters still carrying the torch of West Tennessee whole-hog barbecue, Nashville’s Pat Martin has studied and taught this craft for years. Now he reveals all he knows about the art of barbecue and live fire cooking. Through beautiful photography and detailed instruction, the lessons start with how to prepare and feed a fire—what wood to use, how to build a pit or a grill, how to position it to account for the weather—then move into cooking through all the stages of that fire’s life. You’ll sear tomatoes for sandwiches and infuse creamed corn with the flavor of char from the temperamental, adolescent fire. Next, you’ll grill chicken with Alabama white sauce over the grown-up fire, and, of course, you’ll master pit-cooked whole hog, barbecue ribs, turkey, pork belly, and pork shoulder over the smoldering heat of mature coals. Finally, you’ll roast vegetables buried in white ash, and you’ll smoke bacon and country hams in the dying embers of the winter fire. For Pat Martin, grilling, barbecuing, and smoking is a whole lifetime’s worth of practice and pleasure—a life of fire that will transform the way you cook.

Dot the fire dog accompanies the firefighters from the fire station as they respond to a call.

..".It is the music that makes the difference in the read-aloud version...The wonderful jazzy introductory music matches the loose, easy-going illustrations and sets the tone...Tom Chapin's friendly, relaxed voice invites us along...[his] alligator voices are excellent...This delightful audiobook takes its story beyond what reading alone can do." - AudioFile Magazine

Sparky is a spunky Fire Dog. His friend Rich also aspires to someday be a fire dog; however he has many fears that he has to overcome. This book is about facing challenges and ultimately reaching a goal through teamwork.