First Steps has just been named a Best Book for 2001, for babies and toddlers, by the Bank Street College/Children's Book Council. -Lee Wardlaw, author

This charmning book will encourage little ones as they learn to take those first important steps. They will recognize themselves and the "work" they are doing. Parents and children will enjoy "lap time" together -- sharing a hug and a story.

As a first-time grandparent I was thrilled to discover FIRST STEPS, a delightful "giggle wiggle waggle" of a story. Together my grandson and I chuckle over the lively and engaging text -- perfectly blended with child-friendly art. FIRST STEPS is the perfect gift for a baby shower or a new grandparent.

I found this book at our local library and just loved the illustrations- my one year old took to them as well, so we bought our own copy- the pages are sturdy so he can turn them with minor wear-as we read it every morning with our breakfast- the book has such clean vibrant pictures of things we use every morning and my son has already learned what all the items are in the book and where we have them in our house. Such a joy to read with your child!

Children can't resist this one! I gave a copy of The Chair Where Bear Sits to my neighbor's little girl and watched her eyes widen. She loved it. The flat screen just doesn't do this book justice. It's breathtaking.

THE CHAIR WHERE BEAR SITS is an innovative variation on the well-loved "House that Jack Built," with its same catchy rhythms leading to a rambunctuous climax. It's also a rebus, cleverly concocted by Russell Benfanti's playful, eye-catching illustrations. Children will love the rhymes and the chance to fill in the rebus words. They will be learning to read - without the struggle. This book is lively and fun - exactly what Lee Wardlaw's fans expect.

I was astonished to discover how many interesting and amazing facts Lee Wardlaw came up with in her history of ice cream. This carefully researched book is written with style and humor -- just like all her books. It's full of amusing stories and reads almost like a novel. Kids will love telling their friends what they've learned about this delicious subject. An excellent book for kids -- and their parents too.

Lee Wardlaw, the fun food expert who also wrote BUBBLEMANIA: THE CHEWY HISTORY OF BUBBLE GUM, has topped that smackin' good read with one about the number-1-greatest-dessert-on-earth...ice cream. You might ask me why I would read about ice cream when I could just eat ice cream, and I would say you have a pretty good question. But I have ten great answers. (By the way, I could think of 101 reasons why you should read this book, but Lee Wardlaw already wrote 101 WAYS TO BUG YOUR PARENTS, and I don't want to bug her!)

TEN REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ ABOUT ICE CREAM WHEN YOU COULD BE EATING IT:

1. If there is ever an earthquake large enough to destroy all of the ice cream companies on earth, you will have this book and be able to start your own company and save the world.

2. This book has GREAT ideas about the best possible careers. Name one job better than inventing ice cream flavors.

3. The next time your moms tells you not to stir up your ice cream, you can tell her authority that ice cream is better that way. The man with the million dollar taste buds says so.

4. When you go out with friends, you can win the game of naming the weirdest flavors of ice cream. How about tuna fish ice cream?

5. Feel like royalty. Ice cream was once so rare that only kings and queens could afford it.

6. When your teacher starts going on and on about the father of our country, you can point out that there was somebody much more important: Jacob Fussell, the father of the American ice cream industry.

7. Improve your self-esteem. Did you know that it was a kid who first got the idea for an ice cream Sundae? Talk about an important invention.

8. This book will give you reasons to LOVE math and science. Ice cream couldn't happen without them. Your grades are guaranteed to go up a whole mark after reading this book. We'll start with an easy one: If you have a gallon of cookies'n'cream ice cream and four hungry kids, how much fudge sauce will your mom have to buy?

9. There's a whole chapter of recipes! Make your own ice cream! No freezer? Make it in a plastic sandwich bag!

10. I saved the best for last. You don't have to read about ice cream instead of eating it. You can do both at the same time. Just don't get the book sticky. Your mom and dad will want to read it, too!

With this book, Lee Wardlaw has completed the great triumvirate of ice cream books. First there was Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla by Anne Cooper Funderburg, giving us the first really accurate, complete, and very readable history of ice cream published in the twentieth century. And then there was Frozen Desserts by Caroline Liddell and Robin Weir, the best and most complete recipe book on ice cream written in the twentieth century. All that was lacking in the Ice Screamer's library was a good, readable, accurate book for children, and now, after having patiently waited until the new millenium and thanks to Lee Wardlaw, noted children's author, we have that book. The library is complete, God is on his throne, all is right with the world, and the only emperor is the emperor of ice cream. So what makes this book so good? Where to start.....well, just take a look at the cover. You cannot resist picking up this book, and then, well, then you've had it. First, there is the readability. I started the book and didn't stop until it was finished. Like I usually do with a good bowl of homemade ice cream, I devoured it too fast. So I had to read it again...same thing, couldn't put it down. Immediately apparent in Lee's style in all her books, and it is evident here as well, is that she doesn't talk "down" to children. The language is direct and simple wihout being patronizing; the style "speaks" to the reader casually yet matter-of-factly, which of course means that adults flock to her books as eagerly as children do. Then there are the delightful illustrations by Sandra Forrest. My personal favorite is the soda jerk on page 76. And besides these illustrations, each chapter begins with a great black and white photo of a classic ice cream scene, many are historic and rare. The book is complete. Chapters on the history of ice cream, the story of certain ice cream treats, and recipes are of course to be expected and these are complete, concise and accurate. When fact tends to blur with fancy, Lee tells us so. When myth runs smack into history, Lee tells us so. But her facts are impeccable; accurate and concise. It is a very, very well researched book, yet so fun to read, every page turns with a smile or a chuckle. And then, like the surprise bit of crunch in butter brickle, there are the sidebars, adding tantalizing factoids and anecdotes just to make us salivate for more. Mmmmm....Good! But the real charm to me is in the "extra" chapters. I didn't expect to see a chapter on soda fountains and soda jerks, but here it is! I didn't expect to see a chapter on cones and cone manufacturers, but surprise!, here it is! The story behind some well known ice cream companies? Here it is! And just as a good topping makes a great sundae, take a look at the the chapter called The Man With the Million Dollar Taste Buds. I've met this wild and crazy guy, and if anyone could do justice to him, Lee Wardlaw has done so. To be perfectly honest, I've known for nearly two years that this book would be published this year, and I've been eagerly awaiting its release with great anticipation. I am happy to say that this book far exceeds all my greatest expectations. Are there any faults to this book? Well, yes, there are; ...two, in fact. First, I find that just like a bowl of my favorite ice cream, it's finished before I am satisfied. But this is the same problem I have with any good book on ice cream; I just want it to go on, and on, and on, never really having to close the final cover. And second, it seems to be classified as a children's book, and I suspect when it hits the bookshelves this summer, we'll find it in the children's section, but don't let it fool you. It is actually advertised as "Ages 8 and up"; especially notice the "and up"... that means it's for children of all ages. One of the uniquely endearing qualities of ice cream is that with every bite, it continually reminds us that inside we have always been, and will always be... children. The obvious conclusion is that this book is for anyone who loves ice cream. So the question begs to be asked: Who in the world could possibly not enjoy it? I can't imagine.

This book was amazingly great. It was my favorite book and it is the kind of book you can read over and over again. I would recomend it to absolutely anyone. This book is the best book in the world. This is a fine peice of liderature. It provides all the facts you could possilbly want and some ideas for first time chewers. You will learn amazing and practical facts you can use everyday. It was glorious, wonderful, clever, made you want to keep reading.

Bubblemania - the chewey history of Bubble Gum is an excellent source of information. Both fact and fun. Also has recipe to make your own Bubble Gum and where to order the necessary ingredients. We used for a 2nd grade Science Project.

I loved this book! I am researching a novel, and this book helped me understand this area so much better--and I live near it. It is well-written and informative and reads like a bestseller! A must for anyone living in the Texas valley or anyone wanting to know more about that area.

My niece loves this one! It even makes her old auntie want to get up and dance. So nice to discover Lee Wardlaw! 101 Ways to Bug Your Parents is next on our list.

I'm pleased to announce that SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE has been named one of the Best Children's Books of 2001 by the Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College of Education. It has also been nominated for the 2002 Kentucky Bluegrass Award and the 2003 Volunteer State Young Reader Award. Yippe-Kye-Yay! -Lee Wardlaw, author

SATURDAY NIGHT JAMBOREE is a rambunctuous party of a book! You'll love the rhythmic language and the lively, fun-filled pictures. My guess is that you'll be tapping your foot when you read it and pretty soon you'll be dancing with the kids! Wardlaw's JAMBOREE is a "Read it again" book, a book that reminds you how much fun it is to READ.

The kids liked this book, so I read it myself. And boy, was it was fun!

Although the title gives the impression that this is the kind of book a parent ought to pass up, it is really very well done.

Of course, it includes the list of 101 ways to bug your parents - which was the theme of Sneeze's own story in the book. But can you blame him? After all, his summer vacation WAS ruined!

But while Sneeze misses out on his summer plans, he gains a great deal in wisdom. A lot of important things are touched on in this book - what it might feel like to lose one's parent, a growing awareness of financial problems that adults often face, what's truly important in a friend, and even a hint of budding romance.

It's all in there! And it puts everything into perspective for Sneeze. I think most kids could learn something from this story.

I am impressed by this book and will look for other titles by thia author for my kids to read.

Well done!

A Very Good Book! I loved the story behind it! The list was super funny! LOL! I am eleven years old and I would recommend it to any one around my age!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steve may fail summer school, people think his parents should be arrested, his teacher may be fired, and the whole grade is mad at him.

And all he did was complete his project for summer school!

Steve needed money to go to the INVENTION CONVENTION (Boy, did he WANT to go!) He loved to make inventions. He was assigned a project in summer school. It was to write a book. First he was going to write a biography about his favorite inventor. Then his friend HICCUP, the hypochondriac, said "Why not write a book you can SELL to get money for the INVENTION CONVENTION?" So, they thought of a title that the students would want to buy. When they start to write and sell the book, all the funny things start to happen.

This book has a lot fun situations and many funny characters. You get to know the different characters and you will like them. There are some jokes, too! And, of course, you will like the list at the end of the book called "101 WAYS TO BUG YOUR PARENTS."

So, what happened to Steve? Did he actually get to the INVENTION CONVENTION? You will have to read this very funny book to find out.

*****Mommy's note: With the very clever characterizations, and the one-line humor, even parents who like to "preview" their children's literature for appropriateness will enjoy this one! In the guise of a madcap situation, and a child-centered story, the main characters learn about responsibility, compassion, and friendship.

...a pretty good read. It's interesting and keeps you wanting to read. I didn't really like Corey's character though; she was such a baby. But I recommend it anyway. I enjoyed it.

I first read Corey's Fire when the author Lee Wardlaw came to visit our second grade class. Corey's Fire is a based on an fire from Mrs. Wardlaw's childhood that took her house and the life of her pet cat. Corey the central character in this novel is 13 and loses her house in a brushfie, confused and alone she can only be comfortable with Topher her neighbor who lost his house too, this is a well written book that teaches kids about brushfires and how the aftermath affects it's victems

Santa Barbara's brush fires have a terrible reputation of being wild and severe! This is the story of one of those fires and its impact on a girl and her family. Lee Wardlaw, a Santa Barbaran, lived through the destructive Sycamore fire which occurred in Santa Barbara's Riviera area. As a child, her house and everything in it perished in the dreadful fire. All was lost. In the book Corey's house was lost in the fire. Everything was gone! The loss was devastating and the loneliness especially horrible. This is a wonderful book about friendship, feelings, and compassion. Highly recommended! written by Bob Townsend

I have been using this book all semester with 4-7 year-olds in creative art and drama classes. My students rated it as the book they most wanted me to bring back for an encore. It is delightful to see kids' gears turning as they comprehend each of Punia's tricks and predict the outcomes. They charged into the related class projects, and discussed the story on their own. It was a teacher's dream come true.

I bought this book to read to my 5 year old before we went on our Hawaii vacation. She loved it! We must have read it a dozen times before we left for our vacation! I am not an expert on Hawaiian culture, but the story was entertaining and it discussed many things we experienced during our trip to Hawaii, for example, volcanoes, surfing, seafood, and more. It also has a glossary of common Hawaiian words which were a lot of fun to learn. I highly recommend it for any child who is interested in learning more about different cultures or stories from other lands.

This is a beautifully told Hawaiian tale. Ms. Warlaw knows the culture and it shows. This award-winning, kid-friendly book has something for everyone.

Jaunty rhymes and clear pictures carry a young listner happily through a toddler's day, discovering surprises under flaps, with a double surprise at the end, which happens to be bedtime, making this book a good review and conclusion of the day. Small children will like memorizing the flaps and confirming that their world is reliable. As a bonus, because the words in the rhyme are phonetic, early readers will have an easy time with this book, providing a second round of enjoyment.

If you're looking for a perfect 'getting ready for bed' story, this is it. Clever rhymes your toddler will soon be repeating. Lots of flaps to lift with surprises hidden beneath. On the last page, your child can peek behind the bedroom curtains and see the moon, then--surprise--there's hidden flap behind the moon. (I won't spoil the surprise......) Very charming!