As a kindergarten teacher, one of the first characteristics I look for in a well-written children’s book is the illustrations, and I loved the illustrations in this book. They are easy to follow while still being detailed, and I especially loved the watercolor-like style. I also really enjoyed the way the illustrations portrayed the emotions and personality of the red fire engine.

Another element I pay attention to is how the text is presented on the page, including the font and placement of the words. Unfortunately, I felt the text design was a stark contrast to the beautifully illustrated pictures. The font felt a little too much like a standard Microsoft Word font and didn’t have the same whimsical quality as the artwork. I also wasn’t a big fan of how much the text moved around from page to page. Unless the fire engines are speaking, I think having the narration appear in a more consistent location would make the book easier for young children to follow. Similarly, the speech bubbles felt more like clip art than part of the illustrations and occasionally distracted from the beautiful artwork rather than complementing it.

Of course, the last major element I look for in a children’s book is the plot. I really enjoyed how the story began, but it started to lose me after the fire engine retired along with the fireman. I do think a 3- to 5-year-old with a particular interest in fire engines would be captivated by everything that happens, and I can absolutely see young children finding the idea of a retired fire engine becoming an ice cream truck hilarious. However, for children who don’t already have that special interest, I think the second half of the story may feel confusing or disjointed. There is quite a bit of dialogue between the fire engine and the fireman, and I think replacing some of that dialogue with more narration and description could help connect the events and strengthen the overall plot.

I was also confused by the title and the name “Snout.” I never felt that the story clearly established who Snout was or why that name was significant enough to become the title of the book. If Snout is based on a real fire engine that the author drove or worked with before retiring, for example, I actually think including that connection somewhere in the book would add a really charming and meaningful element. As it currently stands, though, I finished the book still wondering what the title had to do with the story as a whole.

If I picked this book up in a bookstore, I probably wouldn’t purchase it after evaluating the plot. However, if I were the parent or teacher of a child whose special interest was fire engines and firefighters, I could absolutely see myself considering it. The illustrations are wonderful and there are some genuinely fun ideas here. With a stronger, more cohesive plot and text design that better complements the illustrations, I could easily see this being a four-star book for me. As it currently stands, I would give it three stars.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Snout is the best fire engine until a newer model comes to town and he is no longer needed. With quick thinking those around him help think of a new way to stay relevant.

Fun little picture book, where a fire engine (and his solitary human staff) are retired, what with the arrival of a newer, faster and much more powerful model. Unfortunately the two characters have very differing ideas about what happens next – but while the fire engine just dreams of more of the same glory of old, the human is going to win the battle and get his way. What could possibly be on the cards for the engine?

You get nothing else – just the delayed sight of the revamped fire truck, and the optimism the two characters have in quite different ways about the future and how they both see it. But for all that simplicity this isn't too bad a read – it has some charm, once again this illustrator serves this author really quite well, and it might even raise a classroom discussion about what happens when a working life ends, or when our dreams differ. Certainly worth a look.

So cute!! I love this idea that reinvention is something we all have to go through and that it is easier when you have a friend by your side. And who doesn't like having ice cream out of a fire truck?! Such a unique and lovely idea:) The illustrations are gorgeous and when there is a fire, the haunting "Help" written out in smoke gave such a spooky element to the book that you knew how important the fire engine was to the town. The illustration was able to show the emotional depth one can feel when thinking about the importance of a fire truck or anyone who helps save lives. Can't wait to read this to my niece. The only note that I have is that I wish Snout's friend who have told him its a surprise or reassured him a little when he was getting worried about being embarrassed. But maybe I'm just too in love with Snout lol.

A cute story about a fire engine who starts to get outdated, and adapts into an ice cream truck!
I loved the illustrations, they were very relaxing.
Kids love fire trucks so I know a lot of my library kiddos would enjoy this one.

My firefighter obsessed 5 year old and I read this book together. The plot starts out describing various tasks that the firefighter/fire truck perform but then the plot changed into another fire truck suddenly performing tasks first which meant that they needed to retire?

I will say that I somewhat enjoyed the illustrations and how calming they were, but I thought the choice of font and how text bubbles were featured was extremely strange and didn't fit the whimsical nature of the story. I found myself even a little confused at the flow of some of the text bubbles and found that they could have been better suited by explaining as "regular" text instead of using speech bubbles. Most of the story was just dialogue between the firetrucks and not telling a story which definitely made me lose interest.

At the end of the book, my son thought it was very clever that the fire truck was turned into another purpose.

Others may enjoy this one, but I feel like it missed the mark for us.

Snout and Captain Paulie make a wonderful team. After 35 years of saving lives, rescuing cats and even helping with parades, Snout is devastated when a newer, faster and more efficient fire engine arrives and retirement beckons. Reinvention does not come easily; Snout only ever wanted to be a fire engine. Yet Captain Paulie finds a delightful second act for them as an ice-cream truck, complete with fire-engine flavours and appreciative customers. The illustrations are gorgeous and really enhance the story: expressive faces, lovely detail and even smoky night time emergency scenes. A warm, reassuring tale about change, purpose and finding a new way to feel valued.

I think this would be a hit with anyone who enjoys fire engines, colourful illustrations and gentle stories about change, resilience and finding a new purpose.

Snout may be retiring as a fire engine, but his most delightful work is just beginning.

For thirty-five years, the classic red fire truck and Captain Paulie have put out fires, rescued cats, and led parades together. When a shiny green Fire Engine 75 arrives, however, Snout fears his days of helping the community are over. Captain Paulie has other ideas. With a new coat of paint, some unusual equipment, and a creative plan, he begins transforming Snout for a surprising new purpose.

Ninnani’s adorable, expressive illustrations capture Snout’s uncertainty as he contemplates a future beyond the fire station. Children already fascinated by fire trucks will be drawn to the lovable main character, while the truck’s unexpected new role (and the cleverly themed flavors he creates) may expand the book’s appeal to an even wider audience.

Beyond its entertaining premise, Snout offers a reassuring message about change. Retirement does not have to mean that the best adventures are over; sometimes it creates an opportunity to contribute in a completely new and equally wonderful way. This is a cheerful, imaginative story for young readers navigating transitions or discovering that purpose can take many different forms.

Thank you to NetGalley and Likes Publishing for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Very cute illustrations and I liked the "twist" at the end! I think it'll be a fun surprise for younger readers. The premise of a firetruck looking for a new identity is sure to appeal to the 3/4 year old readers and their adults alike.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. These thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
This book is about a firetruck and captain who become outdated and must find new purpose.
When my 3-year-old was asked what he thought of the book, he said "Me like the firetruck"
This was a cute story that also had a deeper message that could be taken away from it by older readers. After the truck and captain become old, outdated, and obsolete, instead of moping around and thinking Wo is Me, they pivot, and find new purpose and do something they never thought of doing before. It goes to show that when one dream ends, it isn't the end.
No language. No spice, obviously.

Snout by Kelley M Likes, illustrated by Ninnani, is a sweet and aesthetically charming story about Snout, a much-loved fire engine who fears his days are over when a shiny new engine arrives in the city, only to discover that there may still be a place for him. Aimed at KS2, although I would personally suggest it may be better suited to EYFS or KS1, the story touches on friendship, self-worth, change and finding a new sense of purpose. The writing is simple, gentle and accessible, making the central message easy for younger or less experienced readers to understand, although I felt it lacked enough depth and substance for its intended KS2 audience.

The illustrations were, in all honesty, what carried the story for me, giving it a lovely visual warmth and bringing a sweetness to Snout's journey that the words did not always achieve. I also found the presentation slightly distracting, as the written text and speech bubbles sometimes felt like separate elements placed alongside the illustrations rather than fully integrated. I would also have liked to see more of a friendship develop between Snout and the new engine, rather than focusing so heavily on Snout feeling inferior and waiting for someone else to find him a new purpose.

Despite this, something genuinely lovely lies at the heart of the story, and for younger children it could offer a gentle introduction to conversations about change, confidence, and discovering that our value does not disappear simply because circumstances change. For its younger audience, Snout offers a comforting reminder that when one chapter ends, our story doesn't have to end.

Thank you to NetGalley for this e-copy of Snout by Kelly Likes in exchange for a honest review.This is a great early elementary book about second chances.This book is about Snout the fire engine who always gets to the fire first but when a new green fire engine is faster and more powerful , it is time for Snout to retire.What can he do now? Read the book and find out how resourceful Snout is.