Herbert I Am—I Can
Think Safety First
Sam Brown
Outskirts Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-4327-4842-5 46 pages
The children who read Herbert I am—I Can by
Sam Brown will enjoy the storyline which is entertaining and portrays
reality when it comes to children teasing and making fun of other
children. In this story Herbert is victimized by fourteen-year-old
Roscoe and other neighborhood boys who are determined to make Herbert
miserable. Roscoe is two years older than Herbert but in the same grade
since he had been held back. To make matters worse, the two boys live in
the same apartment building, two floors apart.
Readers will immediately identify with Herbert who
is a great kid with much ambition. His father had been a fireman who
died when saving the lives of an entire family while fighting an
apartment fire. Yes, his father was a hero, and Herbert was very proud
of him. Until he was old enough to become a firefighter himself, he
decided it would be cool to be a Boy Scout. Ultimately, this goal
becomes a reality, and he joins the scouts, attending meetings at a
church a mile away. He had to walk to the meetings and would do his
best to ignore Roscoe and the other boys who made fun of him and his
uniform.
Being in the Boy Scouts was exciting; Herbert
learned the meaning of the motto, “Be prepared.” They cooked over open
flames and were taught how to tie special knots. Though typing knots
was difficult for him, he kept practicing. He and the other scouts
learned how to give first aid and the importance of fire safety.
Readers will learn how an old oak tree that shaded
the front of Herbert’s apartment building, his scouting skills, and his
bravery all helped him become a hero just like his father. He saved
another child’s life which earned him respect from the boys who had
previously given him such a difficult time. Can you guess the name
of the boy he saved?
This story is excellently paced with a climatic
ending. The story itself is educational; in addition the latter section
entitled “Fire Safety Tips” provides life-saving information. It is my
opinion that parents, caregivers, and libraries should have this book
available for children to read. I know I learned and relearned many
safety tips that will help me prevent accidents that could be
devastating. I give this book my highest recommendation and thank the
author for writing it.
Bettie
Corbin Tucker
For Independent Professional Book Reviewers
www.bookreviewers.org
February 27, 2010
