Days before the year 3000, a group of super fire hydrants named FancyCrazyHydrants became alive and saved Guerlin City (a.k.a. New York City) from catastrophe. The group is led by two leading fire hydrants characters--Hydra and Pluggo.
About The Author
Baltazar Ray, a practicing architect in New York City, was inspired to write this book from his collection of fire hydrant photo series, a small part of street photographs he takes as a hobby. His portfolio on this subject is also being exhibited around town and can also be viewed in his website--www.FancyCrazyHydrants.com. He plans to continue writing the series and write other books about fire hydrants to serve other age group.
Reviews
The newest superhero on the block may be as close as your curb!
Super Fire Hydrants may look ordinary, but they are highly intelligent and programmed with special abilities. They were installed in average neighborhoods, and could put out fires by themselves. Unfortunately, it's now the year 2999, and the law required them to be destroyed. Dr. Woolf disagreed with this law and began designing fire hydrants using antique bodies. He called his project Fancy Crazy Hydrants. With the help of super computers, these hydrants once again regained their superhero status.
Yet, if there is a need for superheroes, it's because there are super villains. Hydra and Pluggo, recently awakened hydrants, set off on a mission to battle evil and clean up the world.
Young readers will find this unique story amusing and interesting. The concept of hero hydrants is tangible, because of the presence of fire plugs throughout everyone's neighborhoods. Since fire hydrants are already accepted as necessary to put out fires, the idea of them expanding their rescuer roles is somehow fitting. The chapters are short, and would make a good read-aloud book.
The author has a nice touch of humor and this reviewer had to laugh at the dog and fire hydrant jokes. There was also plenty of action to keep young readers turning the pages. This book is the first in a series, and those magic words "to be continued" will certainly have readers wondering what happens next.
The story maintains a fast pace and introduces a variety of secondary characters. Young readers will be able to relate to the technological aspects, thanks to the abundance of electronic toys for this age group, and they will delight in the clever theme.
FancyCrazyHydrants: The Mission is a fun read with a new kind of hero.
--Reviewer: Joyce Handzo
Recommended--FIVE STARS!
A sweet and enjoyable children’s tale, Fancy Crazy Hydrants by Baltazar Ray begins in the year 2999, in a time where fire hydrants are no longer as important as once was the case. The thinking is that these hydrants serve little purpose and only remain for the case of city income. When two older hydrants, unaware of the belief that their purposes are no longer needed, are removed from their positions, an adventure begins. The two, along with many other hydrants from the city, begin a journey in the back of a truck that would lead to new ideals and freedoms.
Hydra and Pluggo, soon thereafter, become the recipients of a message coming from a strange voice. This voice informs the pair that they are unique and blessed with special functions. Soon, Hydra and Pluggo are confused about what those functions might be, but feel destined to uncover them as they begin their trek toward Guerlin City. Though unaware of their surroundings or the force that is guiding them, both Hydra and Pluggo long to discover what their adventure will ultimately have in store.
Fancy Crazy Hydrants is written for children, aged six to eleven years old and is an enjoyable read for children and adults alike. This reviewer found the book to be well-written, though the language structure is probably somewhat beyond the grasp of a six-year-old’s comprehension. This fact aside, however, Fancy Crazy Hydrants would be a welcomed addition to any school or child’s personal library.
Reviewed by Jill Eisnaugle, Author of Coastal Whispers
Interesting read Recommended 4 stars
The Review
The year is 2999 and fire hydrants no longer serve the purpose they once did. Many today are old and outdated and stand only to provide revenue when motorists park in front of them. When two unsuspecting older hydrants are toppled from their posts and are tossed into the back of a truck loaded with other hydrants an escapade is about to begin. Hydra and Pluggo feel the magic in the air, they hear a voice telling them ‘I will be watching.’ And the pair are told they have heretofore unknown powers. Soon Hydra and Pluggo are puzzling over what those powers might be as they set out for Guerlin City. They are not sure just what is drawing them there, but they do mean to find out. A bridge, a dog who has been turned into a hydrant, Ben and Guido the collectors of the old hydrants, a child in a burning building and the adventure has just begun. Meet Five Feet, the Mohegan River, kidnappers and children rescued, Fred the Baker and Veeda the duck continue the narrative. When Pluggo decides to stay with the ducks; Hydra knows he must press on alone. Before long Hydra is reunited with Pluggo, the exploit takes new turns and a near disaster is averted.
Fancy Crazy Hydrants is meant for target audience six to eleven years old. I believe the reading vocabulary used by the author is beyond the scope of most six and seven year olds, however the book does lend itself nicely as a ‘read to me’ type chapter book for use by parents and teachers alike. Some twenty chapters spanning 161 pages and the words ‘to be continued’ will no doubt captivate young readers. The notion that hydrants can come to life and perform heroic feats is sure to tickle the fancy of the middle grades portion of the target audience. Fancy Crazy Hydrants is a good choice for the ‘quiet reading time’ following the tumult of noon recess for middle grade youngsters when teacher reads a chapter a day.
Writer Baltazar Ray presents a novel notion with his initial offering. He says he plans to continue the hydrant series. I was sent an uncorrected ARC for review, it has some glitches of syntax which no doubt will be corrected when the final product is produced in November 2004.
Fun names, lots of adventure, fast pace, Fancy Crazy Hydrants is a merry read.
Reviewed by: molly martin
