• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 4 to 8

In this traditional Ethiopian tale a slave, who has worked tirelessly for many years, asks his master to free him. The master laughingly replies that he will do so once the slave has spent the night all alone and naked on top of a high mountain in the freezing cold. The slave in despair asks the help of a wise old man who, by an act of friendship, helps the slave to fulfill the task and obtain his freedom. While this is an Ethiopian story, it carries universal significance.

Heinz Janisch is the author of many well-known books including Noah's Ark, an American Library Association notable book and Bulletin Blue Ribbon Winner, and The Merry Pranks of Till Eulenspiegel. Illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger, both books have won New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of the Year awards. Heniz was the Austrian Honour Book nominee for IBBY in 2000, and he is a familiar radio host in Austria.

Heinz Janisch's profile page

Fabricio VandenBroeck studied art and design in Mexico and Switzerland. He has illustrated many children's books for publishers in the United States, Japan, Italy and Mexico. He also teaches design. Fabricio's work has been featured in numerous art exhibitions, he was the Mexican Honour Book nominee for IBBY in 2000 and was a winner in the Utopia competition for illustrators at the IBBY Congress in Columbia.

Fabricio Vandenbroek's profile page

Janisch is a wonderful storyteller.

Resource Links

The textured, acrylic, double-paged paintings by Mexican artist VandenBroeck contrast the garish, clown-like grossness of the opulent master with spare, exquisite scenes...

Booklist

The Fire is a story that imparts hope. It is also a story that demonstrates how to give hope...Highly recommended.

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