Elephant Joe, Brave Firefighter!

by David Wojtowycz

This Step 2 Step into Reading Comic Reader is full of dragons, firefighting, and birthday cake! In this action-packed early reader, Elephant Joe stars as a brave firefighter with his trusty sidekick, Zebra Pete. While camping, they save a hapless dragon from a tree, then must put out a fire when he sets his birthday cake ablaze! Witty asides and clever dialogue add to the hilarity in this comical adventure from British author-illustrator David Wojtowycz.
 
Step 2 Readers use basic vocabulary and short sentences to tell simple stories, for children who recognize familiar words and can sound out new words with help.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Graphic Novels

32 pages, Paperback

First published May 26, 2015

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo chose to heat things up with a little reading tonight. While Elephant Joe and Zebra Pete are preparing to surprise their friend for his birthday, Dragon is taken aback and gets caught in some tree branches. Joe and Pete must turn themselves into firefighters to save the day, helping their friend untangle himself. As they prepare to deliver the cake, Dragon blows fire, causing an inferno that requires more firefighting help. Joe and Pete work together to find a solution to the blaze and end the evening peacefully. Neo did well reading this book, whose story is easy to comprehend with great pictures to keep the reader engaged. A fiery finish to this cute book.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is Dragon's birthday so his friends decide to surprise him, but in his surprise Dragon gets tangled in the top of the tree and his friends must become firefighters to save him. Then someone roasts the cake instead of blowing out the candles and the firefighters must move into action again to put out the flames.

This is a leveled reader told in graphic novel format introducing how panels flow and speech bubbles. The story is utterly ridiculous in a way that kids will find hilarious. (I mean, they can't call 911 because they don't have a phone but somehow they have a fire truck. Quite silly.)

[Aura Keaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's dragon's birthday and his friends, Zebra and Joe, surprise him. Dragon, frightened, scurries up a tree only to get tangled. Elephant Joe retrieves a fire truck to help his friend. After this ordeal, anther mishap has the friends trying to put out an actual fire!

This is a colorful, unusual tale about three unlikely friends who become heroes. Simple, charming, and odd story for beginner readers.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodreaders, you know how it goes at summer camp. You learn new skills. Maybe basketweaving. Maybe playing the kazoo. Or in the case with this particular picture book adventure....

Absolutely, Elephant Joe and Zebra Pete become firefighters.

Look, they have to. Otherwise, how will they ever manage to rescue Dragon from a tree?

And with a thrilling plot twist, there just might be an urgent birthday cake fire.

FIVE STARS for this vividly illustrated, fantasy adventure.

[Heather Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

megan spring reading 2017, children's book, leveled reader, easy reader, step into reading level 2, animals, fires, firefighters, first grade, second grade,

[Michelle Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

Themes: birthdays, friends

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5 just didn't hit the spot for me.

[kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

okay

[Kate McGinty aka Caryn Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this comic for young readers, it's Dragon's birthday. But the birthday surprise Elephant Joe has planned goes awry when the startled dragon flies into a tree -- and gets stuck there. Elephant Joe knows just what to do: turn into a firefighter to rescue Dragon. He'd better keep his costume close for the candle-blowing afterward, though, because as it turns out surprises aren't the only thing Dragons don't handle well.

This early reader is written in a very basic graphic novel format in order to engage children. The colors are vibrant, and there's plenty of action without any true peril.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elephant Joe and his sidekick Zebra Pete, of picture book fame, star in their first easy reader. When they try to surprise Dragon for his birthday, Dragon flies up into a tree and gets stuck. The friends decide to become firefighters to rescue Dragon. This comes in handy when Dragon sets his birthday cake on fire. Silly mishaps are resolved and the friends are pronounced heroes by the funny little frog who provides commentary like a Greek chorus. Illustrations in digital collage.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A GREAT book in the Step into Reading series. Very funny story and really wonderful illustrations.

[Andrea Labonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Cute