The Little Fire Engine

London: The Bodley Head, 1973. 1st thus. hardback. Very Good, 1st thus edition, missing d/j, landscape 8vo printed boards; text block firm, pages crisp and unmarked. Priace label residue on back.. 8vo (230 x 150 / 9"" x 6""). One day a shiny new fire engine arrives in Little Snoreing and Sam Trolley and the old-fashioned little fire engine are told they're not needed anymore. But one evening a fire breaks out and all the new firemen are busy . . . Will the little fire engine be able to save the day?Between the publication of The Little Train and this sequel, Greene had resigned as director of fiction for Eyre and Spottiswoode after repeatedly falling out with his fellow director Douglas Jerrold. Although Eyre and Spottiswoode had already committed to publishing The Little Fire Engine, and had commissioned Jarrold & Sons of Norwich to prepare for production, it was Max Parrish who eventually published the book. For this little-known publisher, the addition of Graham Greene to his list was a great triumph, particularly since Greene was now prepared to announce his authorship not just of this title but of The Little Train as well.Graham Greene's beloved children's story, a companion to The Little Train, The Little Horse Bus and The Little Steamroller.