Harold Whips a Wildfire

A forest fire is simmering when Harold rushes into the trees. He is chasing a squirrel, trying to retrieve roller blades that the squirrel is wearing, which belong to a doll. Bumbling toward the fire, Harold gets some advice from a crow that perches above him. But ultimately the child must wait for fire fighters who arrive, and for his parents who correct him, to learn the appropriate ways to respond to a wildfire.

Colorfully and dynamically illustrated, Harold Whips a Wildfire starts with an ordinary neighborhood activity, two children at play together outdoors. It moves to a lesson in good manners as Harold franticly races to recover his friend's toys. The story quickly turns to the big theme of wildfires and their effects. It gives a lesson in forest-animal habitat and wildfire danger, and it guides a child to the best response to a fire. While pleasing children with a playful, rollicking tale, the book illustrates neighborliness, and it shows responsibility in several ways, including care for the environment and respect for first responders.

Harold Whips a Wildfire is the fourth book of New England outdoor adventures featuring big-hearted but mischievous Harold. Like all Harold books, it is part of the White Mountain Children's Adventure series.