What a wonderful book for children, I think every child should have this book in their library, the book shows what humans should strive for in a good way for children, by having animals as characters.

When Debi Simpson took senior English from Weslake High School teacher Bill Csellak last summer, she wasn't expecting to write a children's book and get it into print.

But she and her mother, Diane Simpson have co-written "Lonesome Leo, The Little Lion," and Csellak has turned small-scale publisher. He recruited his nephew, Erik Abel to illustrate the book.

"The reception overall has been uplifting," Csellak said, explaining that he and the creators recently took it to the Burbank Book Fair, and the book sold well.

Csellak, a teacher at Westlake High since it opened in 1978, calls marketing the book "a phenominal learning experience" for all involved.

The United Association of Conejo Teachers has bought copies of the book to give to each Conejo Unified School District elementary school in honor of the Day of the Teacher.

Erik was recruited late in the effort and had to complete the 15 colored illustrations in two weeks.

The books were only delivered at 4 p.m. the day before the book fair. After sweating out that day, Csellak slept fitfully. "I had a nightmare dream - from selling the books hand-over-fist to not selling any."

Csellak is looking forward to the summer break when he can concentrate on promoting the book and not "wish I could be 100 people." He may even consider having it republished by a nationally known publisher.

The book mushroomed out of Debi's request for an extra-credit summer school project. Cse! llak assigned her to write a children's story about an owl and a lion.

"It wasn't supposed to be a book. It was a fluke," Debi marvels.

Her mother got interested and says that she and Debi created the story outline in only about 30 minutes. The story relates a baby lion's problems as he tries to make friends with other jungle animals who are afraid of him. A wise owl intervenes, and then Leo is able to make friends.

Simply put, the books message is not to prejudge. As Debi puts it: "Don't be afraid of something you don't know about."

After the story was turned in, Csellak read it to his class and remarked: "This needs to be published. This is fantastic."

Seventeen-year-old Debi describes the book's creation as "mother-daughter bonding." Her mother has always written for her own pleasure and often writes whimsical poems - for exaple, "A Bug Flew Up My Nose."

"My biggest regret was not being able to draw," Diane Simpson said. She just knew what she wanted but couldn't produce it, so Csellak called in Erik. "He pulled it all out - exactly to a tee - all the illustrations I'd pictured."

Debi is not looking for a literary career. She has worked with handicapped children, loves babies and is considering a career as a physical therapist working with handicapped babies.

Erik, a 16 year-old junior at Camarillo High School, works in a variety of media, but especially likes ! sketching. he adopted a motto: "If you can think it, I can draw it." From early childhood, Erik has impressed relatives at family gatherings by drwaing whatever they suggested, Csellak said.

Members of the "Lonesome Leo" creative team aren't ready to drop their little lion. They are working on "Lonesome Leo and Albino Rhino," which is about half-written.

With Csellak involved, Diane said, the publishing project was done soley by an "oral contract and mutual respect."

-Victoria Giraud Daily News

Well, I'm no book-reviewer, but here goes! This book is really a great way to teach your kids about equality. It teaches that just sometimes people are afraid of difference, and that kids should overcome that and treat others equally. How's that for a review? All I know is that my kids love it, and I love them reading it.

I think Sailor Man (for that is the correct name, not Salior Man) deserves greater notice! The premise is unusual, the writing is accomplished, the characters quirky, and the adventure grand. Jack can become invisible, which he uses to great effect to change the lives of a host of unusual characters who live, work or shop in a mammoth shopping mall/apartment/medical complex. His true love is stolen by his mortal enemy, and a pursuit of mythic proportions ensues. The final tumultuous scenes are astonishing and worthy of the most epic thrillers.