Teaching fire safety in the primary grades can feel overwhelming. You want to make sure your students understand what to do in an emergency, but without scaring them. One of the best ways to do this is through picture books. Stories introduce big topics in a safe, relatable way, giving children the language and confidence to talk about fire safety in everyday life. Below, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite fire safety picture books along with discussion ideas and simple classroom activities to help students learn, reflect, and practice what to do if there’s ever an emergency.
Why Fire Safety Books Work So Well
Children learn best through stories. A good book helps them connect fire safety to real life, builds understanding of community helpers, and reminds them that preparation (not fear) is what keeps us safe. Paired with interactive activities, these books can anchor your Fire Safety Week lesson plans in a way that feels calm, memorable, and empowering for young learners!
1. Let’s Meet a Firefighter by Gina Bellisario
This book is part of the Cloverleaf Community Helpers series and gives a clear, age-appropriate look into the daily life of a firefighter. This is a great one to start with!
Students learn about the tools, equipment, and routines firefighters rely on to do their jobs. The colorful illustrations and straightforward storytelling make it a great choice for younger grades, including preschool and kindergarten. It helps children understand that firefighters aren’t just people who show up during an emergency; they work hard every day to keep the community safe! Because of its simple explanations, this book makes a wonderful anchor text for introducing the bigger theme of community helpers.
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- What tools do firefighters use?
- How are their clothes and gear different from ours?
- What kind of jobs do firefighters have?
After your class discussion, create a “firefighter toolkit” with this freebie! This free resource includes lots of fun community helper activities that you can use during Fire Safety Week and beyond. Inside, you will find math and literacy centers, tracing activities, and writing crafts. One of the activities included is a Community Helper’s Toolkit Writing Craft I mentioned. Students will love cutting and pasting the correct tools to the firefighters’ kit and writing a sentence or two about their jobs.
2. Doggy Defenders: Dolley the Fire Dog (National Geographic)
Kids are naturally drawn to animals, and this nonfiction book introduces them to Dolley, a real-life fire dog who helps firefighters. The stunning photographs and fun facts make it especially captivating, keeping even your most reluctant readers engaged.
Students will learn how Dolley trains, what her job looks like, and why dogs can be so helpful in fire situations. It’s also a great book to introduce nonfiction text features while still keeping the focus on fire safety. Children often find Dolley inspiring, and it sparks fun conversations about pets and working animals!
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- Why do firefighters sometimes use dogs?
- How does Dolley help keep people safe?
- What kind of special skills does Dolley have?
During your discussion, make an anchor chart of Dolley’s “fire dog jobs” vs. “firefighter jobs.” Students can help illustrate Dolley’s important tasks and firefighter tasks.
3. My Mom Is a Firefighter by Lois G. Grambling
This story gives students a unique perspective into what it’s like to have a parent who works as a firefighter. The book shows how firefighters juggle bravery, family life, and responsibility, helping children see them as real people, not just uniforms. It emphasizes the important work firefighters do while also highlighting the strong bond between parent and child.
This book is a great way to talk about the people in our community who keep us safe, and it opens the door for students to share about their own families. Students love connecting the personal story to the larger idea of community helpers.
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- Does anyone in the class have a firefighter in their family?
- What would it feel like to have a firefighter in your family?
Consider having your students write letters of appreciation to a local fire station. If a child in the class has a firefighter in the family, consider writing letters to their station. Younger children can draw pictures and write words or short sentences. Include a photo of you and your students with the letters, if possible, for an extra personal touch!
4. No Dragons for Tea: Fire Safety for Kids (and Dragons) by Jean E. Pendziwol
This silly story uses a dragon character to introduce serious fire safety lessons in a non-threatening way. Children laugh at the dragon’s clumsy mistake but quickly see the importance of knowing what to do when a fire starts. The book introduces real strategies like “stop, drop, and roll” and making an escape plan, which are essential lessons during Fire Safety Week. Because it’s told through the lens of a playful story, children absorb the safety tips without fear or anxiety. This is a favorite because it blends fun with practical learning in a way students remember.
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- What mistake did the dragon make?
- What did the girl do to stay safe?
- What does “stop, drop, and roll” mean?
After chatting with your students about this book, role-play “stop, drop, and roll” as a class, then have students illustrate the three steps in order on a piece of paper.
5. Plan and Prepare! (Fire Safety) by Charles Ghigna
This book uses rhyme and rhythm to teach children about fire safety in a simple and memorable way. The text focuses on important safety tips like having a family plan, practicing drills, and knowing when to call for help. Because of the predictable patterns and bright illustrations, students can easily join in on repeated lines or remember key phrases.
This makes it a perfect read-aloud for circle time during Fire Safety Week. The book also helps children understand that preparing ahead of time is the best way to stay safe in an emergency.
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- What does “plan and prepare” mean?
- Why is it important to practice?
- What could happen if we aren’t prepared?
After reading, work on a class anchor chart that shows an illustration of your classroom and hallway areas. Work with students to identify exits and mark them on the map. Next, have students draw a map of their own home and identify two possible exits.
6. Miss Mingo and the Fire Drill by Jamie Harper
Miss Mingo is back, and this time she’s guiding her class through an unexpected fire drill! With her classroom full of unique animal students, each with different needs and personalities, the story captures both the chaos and the importance of practicing safety. Kids relate to the animal characters who feel nervous, curious, or even silly during the drill, just like real students often do.
The story models what a fire drill looks like step by step, helping children understand why we practice and how everyone has to follow the same safety rules. This book is a fantastic way to prepare students for actual drills in your school, making the experience less stressful and more predictable.
Discussion Ideas & Activity:
- Why do schools have fire drills?
- How did Miss Mingo help her students stay calm and safe?
- Which animal student reminded you most of yourself?
After reading this book, consider practicing a classroom fire drill together. With the rules and procedures fresh in your students’ minds, this is a great opportunity to do so! Just be sure to walk through the steps slowly and pause if needed to redirect. Focus on walking calmly and responsibly, just as Miss Mingo talks about!
More Fun for Fire Safety Week and Beyond
Keep in mind, these books are just a few of my favorites! If you’re looking for more, be sure to check out my full list of fire safety books over on Amazon! And if you want to continue to expand on these books with more activities, make sure to grab my Free Community Helpers Resource right here! This freebie is jam-packed with:
- Toolbox Writing Crafts
- Number Match Games
- Read and Write the Room
- Non-Fiction Readers
- Roll and Cover Games
- Book List and more!
You’ll be able to continue to explore fire safety themes, while also weaving in some other community helper activities, too! I know you and your students will love this freebie, so be sure to snag it!
Have Fun Teaching Fire Safety In Your Room!
Fire Safety Week doesn’t have to be scary. With the right books and activities, you can empower your students with knowledge, confidence, and respect for the important work firefighters do. These stories open the door for conversations and practice that help children feel prepared and safe, skills they’ll carry with them beyond the classroom!
Looking for More?
Check out these picture book blog posts next for more fun resources!
- Picture Books About Patriot Day: Remembering September 11th
- Picture Books About Feelings and Emotions
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