New Photo

Just had to share this new photo taken of children with their copies of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Finalist in Two Categories in National 2008 Best Book Awards

USA Book News announced that Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog by Firehouse Dog Publishing, LLC was a finalist in two categories for the National Best Books 2008 Awards.

The book was a finalist in the Children's Non-Fiction and Children's Picture Book Softcover Non-Fiction categories.

The 5th Annual Natinal Best Book Awards features winners from Simon & Schuster, Tarcher/Penguin, HarperCollins, Hyperion, St. Martin’s Press, McGraw- Hill, John Wiley & Sons & Hundreds of Independent Titles Score Top Honors.

Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in over 140 categories covering print and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2008 and late 2007.

Jeff Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, said this year’s contest yielded an unprecedented number of entries, which were then narrowed down to over 500 winners and finalists.

USABookNews.com is an online publication providing coverage for books from mainstream and independent publishers to the world online community. USABN Magazine Online is the monthly electronic magazine e-mailed free to a large cross-section of the book buying public. JPX Media, in Los Angeles, California, is the parent company of USABookNews.com.

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the USABookNews.com National “Best Books” 2008 Awards are available online at http://www.USABookNews.com.

Author Dayna Hilton on Radio Disney

Johnson County RFD #1 Donates Over 500 Copies of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog to Clarksville Primary School

Students at Clarksville Primary School in Clarksville, Arkansas were each asked to go home and work on their escape map after a fire safety presentation at their school. Each child that made a plan and practiced their escape drill (351 students!), had a special picture made. All children were given a copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog compliments of Johnson County RFD #1.



If your child received a copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and would like to write a review, please see below. Sparkles would love to hear from you!



Kid's Book Reviews



Kids, tell us what you think of Sparkles' book! Write a review for our page, or send us your video link.

FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
Our guidelines are simple! We would love to hear from your children (students). Read their published review online on our webpage.

Please help them send us the following:
First Name
Age and grade level
City and Country
Review of the book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

Email to: sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com
Please put "Kids Review" in the subject heading.

We can't wait to read all of the reviews that come our way!
Teachers and parents, we would love to have your review too!

Firefighter Sam

As a fire safety educator, it is not often that you hear of the impact that your efforts have made. A couple of weeks ago, I received a note from Todd, father of four year old Sam.

"Firefighter Sam" loves all things firefighting and he is a huge fan of PBS KIDS Sprout's Fireman Sam. At the end of each Fireman Sam segment, PBS KIDS Sprout airs fire safety tips with Sparkles, Spanner and myself on Sprout on Demand. It turns out that Firefighter Sam's dad found us on the web one day and we have been corresponding ever since.

Sam and his family are helping us with an exciting project that we can't wait to reveal very soon. They are excited about assisting us promote fire safety, and for that, we are very grateful!

In return for our gratitude, Sparkles, Spanner and I sent Sam a token of our appreciation. You can see more pictures on Sam's blog. I have got to tell you that Sam has one incredible blog!

Thank you to you, Sam, and your family for helping keep everyone fire safe!

New Feature Introduced on Sparkles' Webpage and Blog

New is Sparkles' Coloring Page. Your child or grandchild's coloring page could be featured on Sparkles' blog! Click on the picture of Firefighter Ken to open the coloring page to print and color.

Send your colored version (less than 1 mb) to coloringpage@sparklesthefiresafetydog and we will pick one lucky picture to be featured on Sparkles' blog in October!

Good luck!
Attention kids, parents, teachers and fire departments. Have you checked out Sparkles the Fire Safety Dogs' fun fire safety activity and coloring pages? Check them out! We're adding new ones all of the time! Just click on the picture of Sparkles to see more!

Please feel free to add this button to help spread the fire safety message. Together, we can help keep children and their caregivers fire safe!

Ask a Firefighter

Brand New!

Ask a Firefighter

Sparkles invites children to submit their questions that they have for firefighters and a real live firefighter will answer their questions! Click on the button below to learn more.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog BookReaches Landmark

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book selected as Reviewer's Choice Review by Midwest Book Review / Children's Bookwatch

The Midwest Book Review / Children's Bookwatch selected Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog for its Reviewer's Choice Review this month. Its reviews are highly respected and are specifically designed for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and the general reading public. The review is quoted below.

"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 erfriends 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."

Chief John Mauro on Safety Talk Radio

Today Chief John Mauro was on Safety Talk Radio, sharing information about the Southborough Fire Department and the department's fire safety efforts. Chief Mauro also shared information about the upcoming book, Sparkles Goes to Boston.

Nice Note from a Sproutlet

Yesterday we received this nice note from Todd, the father of four year old Sam, a fan of all things firefighting, Fireman Sam and the fire safety tips on PBS KIDS Sprout.

Photo by Raleigh photographer Gregory Wiggs

Note from Sam's Dad, Todd:

"Sparkles and Spanner!" "Sparkles and Spanner!" Familiar words in my house. I happened upon your site quite by accident, but am glad that I did. My four-year-old son Sam is a huge fan of not only "Fireman Sam," but of you as well. Very few evenings go by that we don't see you, and the dogs on our television. I happened upon your site by accident, but I am glad that I did. It's good to know that you are a 'real person,' :-) who is actively involved in fire safety education. My son is enamored with all things firefighter. I'm not a firefighter, but because of his passion for it, we've gotten involved in our local FF community. Sam has become a regular fixture around several of the stations in our area. He has gotten to do things like riding in an engine, manning a hose at a training fire, and being in parade."

Sam's dad started a blog for him and it is really incredible! Visit Sam's site at http://www.firefightersam.com/ . You will be amazed at Sam's adventures! Kudos to Todd and Sam for becoming involved with their local fire departments!

If you have a story that you would like to share, we would love to hear it! Please send it to sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com

Thank You to First Alert, Janet Wilmoth and Fire Chief Magazine

Thank you to First Alert for providing the participants of the 13th Annual Fire Chief of the Year dinner with a copy of Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog audio book. The folks in attendance were each given a copy of the audio book at the dinner in Denver, Colorado, compliments of First Alert.

First Alert is very pro-active in promoting fire safety and Sparkles and I would like say thank you for letting us work together to keep people fire safe.

Another big thank you goes to Janet Wilmoth, Editorial Director of Fire Chief Magazine, for including the audio book as a special give-away to the participants of the dinner. Janet shared some very kind words about the book and audio book and we are very grateful for all that she does, as well as the folks at Fire Chief Magazine for helping promote fire safety.

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog book and audio book make a great give-away item. By putting your logo on the book or audio book, you will bring recognition to your company or organization as a champion of fire safety. For more information, contact Dayna Hilton at dayna@firehousedogpublishing.com

Dr. Harry Carter Reviews Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

New Book Review by Jack Peltier

Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog Book Review by Jeff Huddleston

Jeff Huddleston, Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Fire Prevention Education Officer, shares how he uses the book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, in his summer reading program.

Sparkles Featured on the Dalmatian Location website

Sparkles and the new book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, are featured on the Dalmatian Location website.

Hilton Re-appointed to Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission

Firefighter Dayna Hilton was re-appointed to the Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission by Governor Mike Beebe. This will be Hilton's second term serving the citizen's of the State of Arkansas.

Johnson County Judge Mike Jacobs conducted the Oath Ceremony at the Johnson County RFD #1 Fire Station in Clarksville.

Tango has First Official Fire Service Photos Made

Sparkles' Mailbag

Sparkles received this wonderful picture from a class that she visited in Massachusetts. Notice the fingerprints as the spots!

Sparkles and Spanner on Cover of Chicago Pets Directory

Sparkles and Spanner are featured on the cover and on the inside of the Chicago Pet Directory . We are really very excited! Thank you to the the directory for helping us promote the children's book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and fire safety!

Sparkles' Mailbag

Today Sparkles was really excited to receive a very sweet note from Sarah, Sierra and Jason in Oklahoma. Thank you so much, Sarah, for the beautiful artwork! Sparkles loved getting your note!

If you would like to send your artwork to Sparkles, please send it to:

Sparkles at 106 East Poplar Street, Clarksville, Arkansas 72830 or email to Sparkles at sparkles@sparklesthefiresafetydog.com

New Book Review from 1st Responder Newspaper

Thank you to John M. Malecky from 1st Responder Newspaper for the review for Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. The review will be in the September issue.

In the meantime, the review may be reviewed online HERE.

Thank You to the Phaneuf Family

Thank you to the Phaneuf Family for the use of Danvers Engine 4 for the cover of Sparkles Goes to Boston.

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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSparkles with Danvers Engine 4

According to Peter (PJ) Phaneuf, "Danvers Engine 4 served Danvers, MA from 1936 until the mid 1960's. It was the first motorized engine that the city owned and was built by Peter Pirsch. It is a 600 gpm pumper with 120 gallon water tank. Following its service in Danvers it was sold to the Town of Moose River, ME and was used as a brush truck. My family has owned the engine since late 80's."

PJ's father, Peter F. Phaneuf is the retired Southborough Fire Chief following 47 years of service. PJ is a firefighter/paramedic and holds the position of Training Coordinator with the Foxborough Fire Department. His brother, Adam E. Phaneuf, is a former call firefighter with the Southborough Fire Department.

PJ's three children are featured in the upcoming book.

New Book Review for Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog

"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 3

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPhoto courtesy of Linda Hubley, Editor, Southboroughnews.com

Thank you so much for your review Carrie! It was so nice meeting you, Cole and Olivia at the book event at the Southborough Fire Department!

Author Dayna Hilton to be on Radio Disney

Radio Disney in Little Rock will air a fire safety segment on July 26th at 6:30 a.m on 99.5 fm. The segment, which is about 20 minutes long, will include safety tips as well as information on the new book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog.

Thanks to Brooke for the great interview and to everyone at Radio Disney for helping promote fire safety!

Sparkles Attends the 75th Anniversary of the IFSTA Conference.

2008 marked the 75th Anniversary of the International Fire Service Training Association. Sparkles and I attended the conference in Tulsa and made a presentation.

We consider the folks at IFSTA like family and congratulate them on 75 wonderful years!

Northeast Book Tour Concludes

Sparkles and I spent 27 days, traveling over 4,000 miles and nine states to promote our new book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. We also spent time with firefighters at the Southborough Fire Department to take photos for our new book, Sparkles Goes to Boston.

Below is a video of highlights from the trip.

Sparkles Visits the National Fire Academy

Today Sparkles visited the National Fire Academy at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxSparkles with Dr. Onieal

New Book Review from Retired Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini

“Dayna Hilton is providing an invaluable service that is as kid safe as it is kid friendly. Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is charming on paper or read aloud and an excellent tool in furthering the hugely important crusade of children’s fire safety.” Retired Phoenix Fire Chief Alan Brunacini

Book Reading at the Southborough Library

This evening Sparkles and I read our book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, at Pajama Time at the Southborough Library. We also gave the children and their caregivers a sneak peak at Sparkles Goes to Boston.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxPhoto courtesy of Linda Hubley, Southboroughnews.com

A special thank you to John Tomanney for his assistance with the fire safety portion of the program. To learn more about the event, visit the Southboroughnews.com website.

Photos for video courtesy of Linda Hubley, Editor, southboroughnews.com. To see more of Linda's pictures of the event, please click HERE.

Photo Shoot for the Cover of Sparkles Goes to Boston

Today was a HUGE day as photos were made for the cover of Sparkles Goes to Boston. The first picture is the picture that stands out above the rest.

It was a really long day for Sparkles!

Book Reading Scheduled July 3rd

Sparkles and I will be at the Southborough Library on July 3rd at 7:00 p.m. to read our book, Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog. More information can be found on the Southborough News website. Firefighter Jim will also be there along with Chief Mauro and we will share information about our new book, Sparkles Goes to Boston.

Hope to see you there!