Children's Book Author Dayna Hilton: Hard to Say Goodbye to the Bay State

Monday, March 10, 2008

Hard to Say Goodbye to the Bay State

As always, it was really hard saying goodbye and leaving my good friends. It was an extremely productive trip and I'd like to thank Jim and Karen, along with their children, Sara, Steven and Shawn for their incredible hospitality and for helping me promote fire safety.

Karen, thank you for all of the laughs. I don't know when I have ever laughed so hard!

A really big thank you goes to Sue Peltier for her incredible pictures, and to Jack. Thank you for all of your help with the project!

PJ, Penguin, Father Craig, and Tom, it was great seeing you. I will miss you all!

Closed out the trip with what has become the traditional picture; that of Jim, myself and Jack.

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About Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

Firefighter and nationally recognized fire safety expert Dayna Hilton, known as “Firefighter Dayna” to millions of children and their caregivers, is the author of the critically acclaimed award-winning children’s book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.

The children's fire safety picture book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, has been credited with saving several lives. Inspired by her work as a firefighter and her four-legged friend, Sparkles, Firefighter Dayna created a heart-warming story about Sparkles.

As children learn of the adventures of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, they learn valuable fire safety tips enabling them and their families to keep fire safe. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog has received national press coverage, including the Chicago Tribune newspaper and webpage, the Baltimore Sun webpage, Firehouse.com, FIDO Friendly Magazine, DogSport Magazine, and many more.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is not only fun, but educational and based on the latest research. This book is fun and educationally sound, based on the latest fire safety research for young children by Oklahoma State University's Fire Protection Publications.

"Two paws up!" Jenni Glenn, PBS KIDS Sprout

"Sparkles the Dalmatian has her paw on the pulse of fire safety as she helps teach children how to prevent and escape a house fire." Michael Tercha, Chicago Tribune webpage

"They [the class] LOVED the book!! They were so impressed with Sparkles, she is all they talked about! They all want a fire dog now!!I think the book looks great!!!! I love the real pictures, that really made it believable!!" Mrs. Kelli Grigsby, Kindergarten Teacher

"My 3 year old daughter loves this book and CD. In a matter of 2 readings, she knows the theme song, what a smoke alarm does, and how to stay low and go like Sparkles! We saw Sparkles and Spanner at FDIC in Indy. What great dogs." Lesa, a mom and former firefighter-10 yrs.

"Each night that we have read Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, Cole continues to tell ME how HE will get out of the house in case of fire." Carrie, mother of Cole, age three

"This book may be used as a guide to educators, parents, other family members and as a colorful means of learning to the children themselves. "

John M. Malecky, 1st Responder Newspaper

"Written by firefighter Dayna Hilton, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is a wonderful, flat-spined children's picturebook about the basics of fire safety - as taught with assistance from Sparkles, a friendly female dalmatian. Illustrated with full-color photographs of the real Sparkles and her friends on virtually every page, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog tells young readers what to do if they hear the noise from a smoke alarm: "In case of fire, be sure to crawl low under the smoke on your hands and knees. The air is cleaner and cooler there. Get low and go to your outside meeting place." A great way for parents to introduce their children to doing fire drills, especially sure to appeal to young dog lovers." The Midwest Book Review / Children's Bookwatch (Reviewer's Choice Review)