Lester Lion Calls 911

by Donna M. Cramer

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 28, 2024

Reviews

[Genevieve Chinaza.N · Rating 5 out of 5]

This illustrates what the children do after learning new and interesting stuff in school. Lester was very excited about the new lesson that would be taught in school. He looked forward to it just as every other child would, And his enthusiasm showed as the lessons were taught; he participated accurately and also answered questions.

He also showed his mom the new lesson he learned about what to do if your clothes catch fire. But he went overboard as he called the emergency number, 911, when there wasn’t a real emergency. I love this book because it uses practical scenes, and I also learn a new lesson from each and every one of the characters present in the story. It started  from the firefighter that came as a result of the call and how he handled it, to the dad on how he patiently turned the son's mistake into a lesson, and even the mom who stopped what she was doing just to watch him show her what he learned in school for the day, and finally the firefighters that came to the school and how they passed the message so that the children learn it well.

I would recommend this book to everyone in a family because there is always a lesson or two to learn from it.

[Melina Lobo · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Lester Lion Calls 911* is a children's illustrated book by Donna M. Cramer and the second in the series. It’s a fun yet educational story that teaches kids not only who to call during an emergency but, more importantly, what actually constitutes an emergency. The book helps spark a conversation for both parents and teachers about safety and emphasizes the vital role of emergency workers.

I also appreciated the subtle message that it's okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. The book gently guides parents on how to handle such situations without placing blame on the child, turning it into a valuable teaching moment.

Overall, *Lester Lion Calls 911* is a great resource for helping children understand the importance of emergencies and safety, while fostering a supportive learning environment. It’s a must-read for any parent or teacher looking to educate kids on this crucial topic in a gentle and engaging way.

🐾

Rated 5🌟
Melina L.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lester the Lion’s alarm clock goes off, he jumps out of bed and can’t wait to head to school. The school is partaking in Fire Prevention Week and Lester is so excited because he can’t wait to see all the things he’s going to learn this week. One of the events is an assembly with two local firefighters, a cat and a lion, and they will teach the students all different things like Stop, Drop, and Roll if your clothes are on fire, or how to call 911 when you see an emergency situation happening. The firefighters stress that it is important to note that calling 911 is only to be used when a real emergency has occurred.

Lester finishes his school day and can’t wait to get home to play with his toys. He sets them up like they are firefighters tackling a fire and while he’s doing this, he gets an idea. He goes and gets his mom’s cell phone and decides to call the real 911, totally disregarding what he learned in school today with the visiting firefighters. When he hangs up, Lester doesn’t realize just how serious the situation will become for him calling 911 when there truly isn’t an emergency situation happening. What happens after Lester hangs up from speaking to a 911 operator? What does Lester learn from this important situation?

Opinion:
I really loved how author Donna M. Cramer approached this serious topic of teaching children that you only call 911 when there is a serious emergency where people need help immediately. It’s not a number to call when you are playing games with your toys or even when you are playing games with your friends. Calling 911 when there isn’t an emergency wastes the valuable time of emergency crew members, and they could be using that precious time to be answering a true emergency call. I feel her approach to teaching children was fun, while also delivering a serious message without being preachy, so that children will absorb the lesson being taught without feeling overwhelmed by it.

The characters the author created, all wrapped around the feline family, were unique and adorable. I’ve never read a story where all the emergency workers were felines of some sort. So reading this children’s book made me feel as if I was reading something fresh and unique. I feel children will get a kick out of the fact that all the firefighters were different cats!

The illustrations provided by Ann Aubitz were colorful and extremely fun to look at. They encompassed each page and fully illustrated the story being told on that page. I, as an adult, loved stopping and looking at the pictures, so I feel children will equally be enthralled by looking at Lester and the other characters telling the story. Each illustration was the perfect accompaniment to the story the author wanted to tell her readers.

I also loved how the author decided to include a list of 911 Tips for Kids in which she teaches important things such as: “Call if a fire is burning out of control,” or “Call if someone is seriously hurt: if they cannot get up or if they are choking or having trouble breathing.” I especially liked the fact that another one of the tips she told children was: “Be sure to say your name and know your address.” These tips are the perfect way to instill in children the proper scenarios which call upon someone needing to truly call 911 to help someone in an emergency.

Overall, Lester Lion Calls 911 is the perfect children’s book to add to your children’s library. It brings the message across that calling 911 is a serious thing to do and you do it only when it is extremely necessary. Calling 911 just for fun and games is strictly something that should never be done and if you do, you’ll be taking emergency workers away from another call which truly needs their emergency services. This is one book that comes highly recommended by this reviewer!

[Scribble's Worth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester Lion Calls 911 is the perfect book for small children written by Donna M. Cramer. This easy to read picture book is sure to captivate young minds, and teach them a useful lesson concerning the importance of knowing not just how to call 911, but when to call 911.
Lester Lion Calls 911 first captivates interested readers with it’s bright colors splashed all over the cover. Also, there is an adorable picture of Lester Lion himself, and a firefighter standing next to him. From the cover, readers can safely guess that this firefighter is going to making a trip to Lester Lion’s house, and that Lester is going to learn a useful lesson.
Author Cramer writes a simplistic style story that is ideal for young readers, parents, and educators as well to read to small children. Lester Lion Calls 911 is a story written in a simplistic way that utilizes a young lion to help teach the importance of knowing about 911.
Lester Lion gives off the impression of being a young child excited for National Fire Prevention week. Based on the poster of a firefighter on his wall, it’s easy to come to the conclusion that Lester highly admires firefighters. This is sure to resonate with other children who also admire firefighters.
Throughout Lester Lion Calls 911 this story is packed with easy to follow pictures that help detail the story. Each image plays a part in helping small children follow along with what is going on in the story. This includes speech and sound bubbles in specific places that help to emphasis particular moments in this story.
An aspect of this book that parents and educators will appreciate will be the points of reference that author Cramer inserts in specific places. You’re going to get large signs in the images reinforcing that this story is about fire safety. Also, you’re going to notice that one of the lions in the story will depict, more than once, how to properly – stop, drop, and roll.
This particular attention to detail is sure to not only bring a smile to children’s faces, but also encourage them subtly to practice this life saving maneuver themselves.
Of course, there is more to this story than just Lester Lion learning about self-preservation when it comes to fire safety. If that were the case, then were would the tie-in be to the title? Don’t worry, that’s coming. For Lester Lion Calls 911 is packed with more than just one important lesson. Yes, it’s about fire safety, but it’s also about knowing when to call 911.
It’s really nice how author Cramer weaves this into this story so artfully and in a way that is simplistic enough for children to learn and understand. Author Cramer adeptly highlights the importance of knowing how to call 911, and when to call 911. Of course, there is a good lesson for Lester Lion to learn, and it allows children to learn it for themselves without getting into trouble.
Lester Lion Calls 911 is a story that is absolutely perfect for younger aged children, and a perfect story to be read at storytime with it’s well detailed pictures and engaging characters. The information is easy to digest and understand, which makes it a good book to be used for little reminders when it comes to 911.
While Lester Lion Calls 911 focuses mostly on fire safety, and how and when to call 911, the author tucks in some little tips at the end of the book for other emergencies as well. Lester Lion Calls 911 is a quick read, but it’s absolutely one worth having and reading more than once.

Pros:

Easy to understand story
Good moral
Educational but still fun
Ideal for young children

Cons:

None of merit

Cover Score: 9.2
Overall Book Score: 9.5

[Caroline D’cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester is a cute lion who wakes up in the morning and is thrilled to get ready for school. When at breakfast, his mother reminds him that it’s Fire Prevention Week at school. Lester is overjoyed to be a part of it and meet real firefighters. At school, Lester is met by two firefighters who at assembly teach the students to use safety measures during an emergency like stop, drop, and roll. The firefighters then teach the students the use of calling 911 in an emergency and that everyone from children to adults can use 911 if in an emergency situation. They also put special emphasis on the fact that 911 shouldn’t be used if there is no emergency situation.

With all this in mind, Lester gets home that day and is excited to recreate an emergency kind of situation with toys, setting them up like firefighters. But soon Lester realizes that he has made a mistake while recreating this pretend emergency situation and has ignored the most valuable information he had learned at school that day. What has Lester done and will he learn from his mistake? Come find out in this beautiful book by Donna M. Cramer.

Lester Lion Calls 911 is a beautiful and well-illustrated children’s book by Donna M. Cramer. This book is easy for children learning to read, and it also serves as a great learning tool to learn about services like 911 and how and when to dial it.

I like the fact that the author has used animals as the characters rather than human figures as this helps attract a child’s mind and also helps inculcate reading habits. The author places emphasis on the value of owning up to one’s mistakes and learning valuable lessons from them. This book also teaches parents how to be understanding and helpful toward their children rather than being resentful when their child has made a mistake and done something wrong.

The illustrations of this book are beautiful with large attractive figures and bright bold colors. A child just learning to flip the pages of a book will also stop to look at these well-illustrated pictures.

Additionally, this book also serves as a great teaching resource for teachers looking to teach their children about fire prevention emergencies. When to use 911 is a very unique topic which not many authors write about. I liked that the author not only emphasized when to dial 911 but also when not the dial 911. The helpful tips at the end of the book also add value to this book.

A great book for children looking to learn while reading and for parents and teachers looking to teach their class, this book serves as a great resource and will make a good addition to your children's library.

[Prerna Lakhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna M Cramer's "Lester Lion Calls 911" is a great addition to the beloved Lester Lion series, offering young readers an entertaining and educational adventure in fire safety.

In this second installment, we follow Lester, a curious and spirited young lion, as he eagerly awaits Fire Prevention Week and the chance to meet real firefighters. However, when Lester misunderstands the proper use of 911, believing it can be dialed for any reason, he finds himself in a sticky situation after accidentally calling the emergency number during playtime.

Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, Cramer skillfully imparts important lessons about responsibility and emergency preparedness. As Lester navigates the aftermath of his mistake, young readers learn alongside him the crucial distinction between playtime antics and true emergencies. The book effectively teaches the invaluable safety technique of stop, drop, and roll, empowering children with practical knowledge to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire.

What sets "Lester Lion Calls 911" apart is its ability to tackle serious topics with warmth and humor. While addressing the seriousness of emergency situations, Cramer maintains a lighthearted tone that keeps readers entertained and engaged throughout. The book's gentle approach to teaching fire safety ensures that children absorb the important lessons without feeling overwhelmed or frightened.

Ideal for story-time sessions or classroom discussions, "Lester Lion Calls 911" is not only an entertaining read but also a valuable tool for parents and educators. Its relatable characters and relatable situations make it easy for children to connect with the story while learning essential life skills.

In conclusion, "Lester Lion Calls 911" is a heartwarming tale that combines fun and education seamlessly. With its endearing characters, vibrant illustrations, and important message about responsibility and safety, this book is sure to become a favorite among young readers and caregivers alike.

[Shubham Lakhina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester Lion Calls 911" by Donna M Cramer is a charming and educational children's book that takes young readers on a delightful journey through the importance of emergency preparedness and fire safety. The story follows Lester, a young lion filled with excitement about Fire Prevention Week and his desire to meet real firefighters. However, when he mistakenly believes it's acceptable to dial 911 while playing, Lester learns a valuable lesson about the significance of discerning when to call for help.

Cramer's book is not only entertaining but also educational, as it seamlessly weaves essential safety techniques such as stop, drop, and roll into the narrative. Through colorful illustrations and engaging storytelling, young readers are introduced to the fundamental concept of 911 and the responsibility that comes with it. The book serves as an excellent tool for parents and educators to teach children about emergency protocols in a fun and accessible way.

One of the strengths of "Lester Lion Calls 911" lies in its ability to address serious topics such as emergency situations with sensitivity and age-appropriate language. By depicting Lester's innocent mistake and subsequent learning journey, the book instills valuable lessons about accountability and quick thinking in times of need. It empowers children with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions in potentially dangerous situations.

Overall, "Lester Lion Calls 911" is a heartwarming tale that combines important life lessons with entertaining storytelling. It serves as an invaluable resource for teaching children about fire safety and emergency preparedness, making it a must-have addition to any home or classroom library. With its relatable characters and engaging narrative, this book is sure to spark meaningful conversations and inspire young readers to stay safe and vigilant.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was a quick yet powerful children’s book. The author does an incredible job of crafting a narrative filled with fun yet relatable characters, each providing an important role that helps drive the themes of this book home. The vibrancy of the illustrations and the thoughtful dialogue between the characters help emphasize the importance of this book’s message greatly.

The lessons taught in this book really helped elevate the overall story. The need to instill the importance of emergencies and what 911 is for children in the United States was greatly explored here, showcasing the harm that can come from not utilizing this service properly and how children should take this 911 service seriously in case real dangers or emergencies pop up.

The Verdict

Thoughtfully crafted, engaging, and memorable, author Donna M. Cramer’s “Lester Lion Calls 911” is a must-read children’s book. The fast pace and depth of the themes allow for a great bonding experience between parent and child and will keep parents coming back to this book time and time again.

[Danielle Urban · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lester Lion Calls 911 by Donna M. Cramer is a fabulous children's book. It clearly illustrates the emergency of a fire or other cause that would require help. Also, it makes the reader aware of the importance of dialing 911. Dialing 911 should only happen if and when there is an emergency. Never ever use it for a game or false alarm. Otherwise, those who need the help may not get it when they need it. Great moral lesson inside a fun interactive book. The illustrations were perfect!

I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.