Fire Fighters

``When the fire bell r-i-n-g-s, fire fighters stop whatever they are doing.'' And so begins this stripped-down look at the day in the life of fire fighters who, in this case, happen to be a crew of dedicated dalmations. With short, uncomplicated sentences well suited to preschoolers, Simon takes young readers from the fire scene (``Turn on the hoses. Whoosh! Whoosh!'') to the clean-up at the station after the truck returns (``Pants and coats go up on hooks. Boots stand in a straight row.'') However, Paparone's stiff, uninspired gouache paintings add little, offering no more than a strict visual interpretation. Ages 2-4. (Sept.)