When the educational magazines, the children's libraries, the literary critics, thousands of children and their parents, to say nothing of such experts as William McFee, Gordon Grant, and Joseph C. Lincoln, all agree that a book is a sheer delight, history has been made. And it was when Little Toot was published. Little Toot, the tugboat, was irresistible. Now the imaginative young creator of Little Toot presents a rival—Hercules, a little old-fashioned, horse-drawn, fire engine, and Hercules' story is presented with all the verve and dashing brilliant color that made Little Toot such a success a year ago.

Hercules in his younger days was the pride of his city. His gleaming red paint and shining brass were an inspiring sight as he dashed to every fire, with his friend the spotted coach dog beneath his axles and Hokey, Pokey, and Smokey, his three firemen, hanging on for dear life. But times change, and before Hercules had really had a chance to prove his mettle, he found himself replaced by a smelly, ungainly motor-driven engine. Gone were his horses. His brassy cheeks grew dull. Only his pride remained, as he gathered dust in the back of the firehouse.

Finally his big chance came. Hercules, like Little Toot, was of the stuff of which heroes are made. One after another the motor-driven engines broke down (as automobiles so frequently did in the old days), and Hercules with the help of Hokey, Pokey, and Smokey saved the day.

From the dust jacket