In the 1840s, there was a real vounteer firefighter named Mose Humphreys whose bravery was reknown throughout New York City. Plays about him began being performed on Broadway in 1848 and over the years his strength and heroics took on larger-than-life proportions, much like those of Paul Bunyan. Mary Pope Osborne has honed down the legends about him to a brief, dramatic, sometimes comical, but ultimately moving text of picture book length. Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher’s stunning paintings capture this 8-foot-tall superhero rushing into burning buildings, saving babies and bankers, and wolfing down the feasts bestowed upon him by the grateful citizens of old New York-until the one big hotel fire after which he was never seen again. The author has included a historical note about the origins of this tall tale, and the book is dedicated to the 343 New York City firefighters who gave their lives to save others on September 11, 2001. Mary Pope Osborne included a longer, different version of this legend in her distinguished collection American Tall Tales.
Mary Pope Osborne is the award-winning author of many distinguished books for children and young adults, including the bestselling Magic Treehouse series; Favorite Medieval Tales, illustrated by Troy Howell; American Tall Tales, illustrated by Michael McCurdy; Rocking Horse Christmas, illustrated by Ned Bittinger; and Adaline Falling Star. The former president of the Author’s Guild, she lives in New York City with her husband, Will.
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson began working together as a creative team in 1986 and have collaborated on more than 50 picture books, including the New York Times bestseller My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. They are recipients of the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Visit them online at www.johnsonandfancher.com.
Lou Fancher and Steve Johnson began working together as a creative team in 1986 and have collaborated on more than 50 picture books, including the New York Times bestseller My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss. They are recipients of the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. Visit them online at johnsonandfancher.com.
Nothing yet! Let Mary Pope Osborne know that you want to hear from them about their book.
Nothing yet! Let Steve Johnson know that you want to hear from them about their book.
Nothing yet! Let Lou Fancher know that you want to hear from them about their book.
More than halfway there—keep going!
Just the barebones.
Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.