The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine or the Hithering Thithering Djinn

work by Barthelme

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 15, 2026

Quick Summary

The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine or the Hithering Thithering Djinn is a children's book by Donald Barthelme. Published in 1971, it received the National Book Award in 1972. Barthelme was an American short-story writer known for his experimental and often melancholic modernist works. While he is primarily recognized for his adult fiction, including novels like Snow White and collections such as Sixty Stories, this book showcases his versatility in writing for a younger audience.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Donald Barthelme
His children’s book, The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine or the Hithering Thithering Djinn (1971), won the National Book Award in 1972. He was distinguished visiting professor of English (1974–75) at the City College of the City University of New York. Flying to America: 45 More Stories, a posthumous…
Read More
His children’s book, The Slightly Irregular Fire Engine or the Hithering Thithering Djinn (1971), won the National Book Award in 1972. He was distinguished visiting professor of English (1974–75) at the City College of the City University of New York. Flying to America: 45 More Stories, a posthumous…
Read More