Breezy Valley at Work

“Another exciting visit to the adorable town of Breezy Valley, where friendly and highly competent animals are getting to build a new library.
The books in this excellent high-interest series strongly recall the work of Richard Scarry: busy artwork, adorable, clothed animal actors, an overarching storyline told in text blocks supplemented with talk bubbles, and returning characters from the other books. However, those clinging to dog-eared editions of What Do People Do All Day will cheer for the updated take presented in Construction Crews.
Highly recommended for preschools, elementary schools, and public libraries. (Kids ages 4-8)”
– Youth Services Book Review / Starred review

“In previous books, readers visited a hospital and joined a crew of firefighters—potentially scary situations made more manageable by a reassuring, all-animal cast. Now, we learn of a purely positive project: a new library. As in earlier Breezy Valley visits, technical details—like a clearly labeled drafting table and blueprints, tools, and construction vehicles—can be studied for information or just regarded as part of the unfolding narrative [that] brims with subplots and jokes.
Fact-filled and fun—sure to keep attentive visitors as busy as its industrious cast. (Picture book. 3-6)”
– Kirkus Reviews

“The spirit of Richard Scarry lives on in Alley’s latest return to the all-animal town of Breezy Valley, where a construction project—specifically, a new library to replace an overcrowded old one—brings the community together.
Taking the enterprise stage by stage, the populous cartoon illustrations zoom back for broader views and zero in on the experienced builders’ specialized gear and vehicles—all bristling with labels and shown in diagrammatic display views and in actual use. The author has plainly done his homework about what a well designed library should have, too.
Riveting fare for both younger sidewalk superintendents and detail-oriented, hands-on builders. (Gr 1-3)”
– School Library Journal 

This book is dedicated to construction and library professionals
everywhere who build the spaces we inhabit and provide the
knowledge we depend on to live our lives to the fullest.

With special thanks to Scott Weymouth of Scott Weymouth Architect,
Inc., and to Jim Deslandes, Sr. of Deslandes Construction, Inc. for their
help in overseeing the construction process.

With special thanks, too, to Cheryl Space, Library Director, Community
Libraries of Providence, and to Lisa Lesinski, Head of Children’s Services,
Barrington Public Library for their insights into making the perfect library.

“Gentle and reassuring, this introduction of hospital work is thorough and appropriate for young readers … this book will have wide appeal.” – School Library Journal

“Famously, when Fred Rogers was a kid confronted with upsetting scenes in the news, his mother told him to look for the helpers. In that spirit, R.W. Alley presents his Breezy Valley at Work picture-book series… Alley whittles down a hospital’s countless moving parts to manageable bite-size bursts of information. As a bonus, Hospital Heroes Save the Day! rewards sharp-eyed readers with gags, as when atop a hospital refrigerator sits a cookie jar alongside the question, “Best medicine?” –Shelf Awareness / Starred review

“Young readers will feel instantly at home in Breezy Valley… the precise drawings (done with pencil and digital tools) make everything in the hospital look real but friendly… this would be a great one-to-one read aloud for kids who are curious about what goes on inside a hospital.” – Youth Services Book Review

“As this fast-paced book unfolds, readers follow the activities of numerous hospital heroes as well as an especially important patient. …Alley explains virtually everything that curious kids might want to know about hospitals… delivered in a matter-of-fact, upbeat tone will allay reader apprehension… The all-animal cast exude sunny professionalism… A fact-filled, candid and reassuring introduction to the ins and outs of hospitals.” – Kirkus Reviews

WHAT MEDICAL PROS SAY ABOUT THE BOOK:

“What a terrific book for preschool and elementary school children and their parents as well! The hospital can be a scary place for both children and their parents. Hospital Heroes Save the Day! shows its inner workings in an easily understood and entertaining format.” – Carrie Streim, MD, Pediatrician

“As a child life specialist, I highly recommend this heartwarming picture book. Bob gives realistic and developmentally appropriate explanations of what every piece of equipment does. With his delightful illustrations and gentle narrative he skillfully addresses common fears and concerns.” – Kelly Foy, Certified Child Life Specialist, Connecticut Children’s

“A wonderfully engaging story! Children will love getting to know the friendly medical staff at Breezy Valley Hospital. As a pediatrician, I recommend this book to my patients.” – Angela Grenander, MD, Pediatrician at East Bay Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine

“What a terrific book! Full of life, humor and real information. The perfect combination. I had a smile on my face from the very beginning.”
—Caldecott Medalist David Macaulay, author of The Way Things Work, Cathedral, Pyramid, Castle, and Mosque.

“The characters are funny and engaging individuals, a group you want to hang out with – and to have come to your rescue!” – Caldecott Medalist David Wiesner, author of Tuesday, Flotsam and Robobaby.

“This is a book that definitely rewards repeated readings.” – Eric Fan, co-creator of the award-winning Barnabus Project, Ocean Meets the Sky and Lizzy and the Cloud.

“Young readers will love experiencing a day in the life of Breezy Valley’s brave firefighters.” – Jamie Michalak, author of Come On In: There’s a Party in This Book! and the Frank and Bean and Dakota Crumb series.

“Fans of classic Richard Scarry scenes will be thrilled with all that the town of Breezy Valley offers in Firefighters to the Rescue!:   action-filled pages, tons of details, and quirky characters.” – Caldecott Honoree Brian Lies, author of The Rough Patch, Bats at the Library and the Little Bat series.