Ambulances on the Move

By: Laura Hamilton Waxman
Publisher: Lerner Classroom
Publication Date: January 2011
ISBN: 978-0761371106
Reviewed by: Deb Fowler
Review Date: March 2011

Whenever there is an emergency you’d better look out because an ambulance is on the way. They move fast though the streets to “take sick or hurt people to the hospital.” Their sirens make a lot of noise and their lights flash as they warn people they are coming. “WHEE-OOO!” If you are driving in a car you must pull over to the side to let the ambulance pass. You can easily see what an ambulance looks like on the outside, but in this book you will be able to take a look on the inside. In the front is where the driver sits. He can talk on the radio and push buttons which “turn the ambulance’s lights and sirens on or off.”

An EMT, or emergency medical technician, is in the back of the ambulance. They use “special equipment to help sick or hurt people.” You can actually see someone being helped and you’ll be able to see cabinets where they store their medical equipment. There are also doors on the outside of the ambulance. One of them is where a long stretcher is stored. If you always wondered what goes on once someone is in the ambulance you’ll be able to see them load an injured person, you’ll see photographs of the layout of the back where the EMTs sit, and then you’ll find out what happens when they arrive at the hospital. Finally, you’ll be able to find out where some ambulances stay when they are not on the road.

The vibrant, high impact photographs and text will keep even the most reluctant reader poring over this book’s pages until the very end. Interspersed throughout the book there are informative captions that point to something in the photograph that the text is emphasizing. For example, one captions states, “These chairs fold down so EMTs have a place to sit during the ride.” One bullet line points to folded up chairs while the second points to an open one. The visuals are excellent and help the less confident reader to readily navigate the book. In the back of the book is an “Ambulance Diagram,” some “Fun Facts,” an index, a glossary, and additional recommended books and a website to explore.

Quill says: This is an interesting glimpse at ambulances and how they are set up to save lives.