About the Author:
Chad Sourbeer graduated from California State University, Northridge and earned an Honors English degree (one of seven earned in 1992). He was published for the first time in the university's fall edition of the Northridge Review. In the spring of 1992, Chad was one of twenty-eight students accepted to the University of Southern California's Peter Stark Motion Picture Producing Program. That summer he was the first student from the program to intern at the famed William Morris Talent Agency in Beverly Hills. Chad graduated in 1994 with Masters of Fine Arts degree and was awarded the Steven Sample Fellowship (considered one of the highest honors bestowed on a USC graduate student) from USC's Leadership Institute. The Fellowship took him to Japan where he studied various leadership and management applications. Chad returned to the United States and entered the fire academy.
In 1996 he became a firefighter for the City of Inglewood. In the department as a firefighter/paramedic, Chad held the positions of Media Liaison Officer and Public Information Officer. When the Inglewood Fire Department was absorbed by the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 2000, Chad became an L.A. County firefighter. His extra-curricular involvement in the fire service continued as a Critical Incident Stress Debriefer, a College Affiliation Program Coordinator, and mentor for "at risk" youth through the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, Rescue Youth Program. Chad married Kris, his high school sweetheart in 1997 and they have two wonderful boys, Brandon age four and Kayden age one. They live in Moorpark, California.
About the Illustrator:
Pepe Melan was born in Brownwood, Texas and at the age of four. He moved to Lancaster, California where he begin his career in art career after graduating from Antelope Valley High School in 1987. That same year he worked on a cartoon called "P.J. Funny Bunny" as a colorist. From 1992 to 1994 he worked for Prince's nightclub, Glam Slam, as a graphic designer. His freelance work has given him experience in logo designs, murals, T-Shirt art and CD covers. He describes his style as a mix of grit, surrealism and urban art, with influences from comic books, fantasy art, and dark sci-fi movies. He is currently expanding his personal company, Unique Realm—one painting at a time.
Proceeds From This Book:
A portion of each book sold will benefit the Alisa Ann Ruch Burn Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1971 dedicated to survivor assistance and burn prevention. AARBF derived its name and inspiration from an eight-year-old child, Alisa Ann, who was fatally burned in a backyard barbecue accident. The foundation works in partnership with firefighters, educators, burn care professionals and community members to develop innovative programs and services and was organized into several local volunteer chapters located throughout California.
An Educator's View
All children need real-life heroes who serve as positive role models and inspire them to become caring, responsible adults. When that hero is a child's parent, the message that responsibility includes giving of ourselves to others is all the more powerful.
Brandon's Day at the Fire Station is a story that illustrates how a father who shares a day on the job with his son can make a lasting, positive impression on a young mind. Author Chad Sourbeer's straightforward approach to recounting a young boy's visit to the fire station clearly delivers the message that respect and admiration are due to those who, like all firefighters, commit themselves selflessly to helping others.
Brandon's Day at the Fire Station does more, however, than simply tell a story. Everyone who picks up this book and shares it with a child also contributes to helping others who have suffered the tragedy of fire.
Chad Sourbeer is to be commended for telling Brandon's story so children everywhere can begin to know some of our real-life heroes.
Kathryn Scroggin, Ed.D.
Superintendent Simi Valley Unified School District Simi Valley, California
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