It's hard to believe, but this iconic children's story has never been published as a book – until now. Flick wants to fight fires more than anything in the world. But the grown-up engines say he isn't big enough or strong enough to help. Poor Flick – he always gets left behind at the station. Will he ever be allowed to help?

From author James Lawrence: Flick the Little Fire Engine was originally written for broadcasting by Robert (Bert) Reisfeld. Born in Vienna, Austria, in 1906, he lived a large part of his working life in Los Angeles and wrote music scores for Hollywood films and musicals. He died in Badenweiler Germany in 1991. Flick was recorded in Hollywood in 1948 on the MGM label on a double 78 RPM album and later on 45 rpm.

Just over 3 years ago I told, my then 3– year-old daughter, the story of Flick by rote. She loved it so much I made up other stories about Flick's adventures. I then decided to locate the book only to find it didn't exist. It was clear to me a book had to be made.