Mama is cooking soup as Maria and Pepito watch, when Maria sees a tendril of smoke seeping under the kitchen door. Mama discovers the house is on fire and they all escape. The firefighters battle the blaze but the house is a complete loss except for a family picture and Maria's beloved teddy bear. "The fire came and took our home but it didn't take everything," Maria concludes. A compassionate, not-too-scary treatment of a very scary event. Good for generating discussion and empathy.

I chose this book because my dad is a retired firefighter. The story emphasized the calm needed to safely vacate a burning building, and the composure and bravery shown by firemen.
Curricular connections may be made with Kindergarten-3rd grade to help students understand fire safety. Read the book with students then discuss what exit procedures the students have in their houses; have students draw fire safety routes and perform fire drills at home with their parents; and arrange for a firefighter to come in and discuss fire safety with the students. ( )