Chaucer’s Books – Children’s Poetry Reading

Sunday, October 5 2025 3:00 PM 

Chaucer’s Books (3321 State Street) takes part in the 150^th anniversary of Santa Barbara High School events by hosting Distinguished Dons alumna Lee Wardlaw for a poetry reading and signing of her book My Book of Firsts: Poems Celebrating a Baby’s Milestones.  

Book Description A keepsake volume of poetry marking the key moments in a baby’s first year, with space to record your baby’s milestones.  My Book of Firsts is a delightful collection of poems about the milestones experienced by babies in their first year. From a baby’s first toy to its first tooth, from first book to first word, first haircut, and first birthday party, My Book of Firsts provides lilting poetry to share with babies as they progress through that first year of life. All illustrated with the warm and inviting drawings of Bruno Brogna. The book features a section in the back with spaces for parents to record their baby’s milestones as they reach them. My Book of Firsts will ultimately become a keepsake and record to return to in the future. It is a perfect baby shower gift, a sibling gift, and a great book for day care centers with infant/toddler programs.

About the Author Lee Wardlaw is a member of the Santa Barbara High Distinguished Alumni (1993) and 2017 Dons Wall of Fame honoree. She is also an award-winning children’s author best known for her poetry book Won Ton—A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, and its companion title Won Ton and Chopstick. Lee has two degrees in education and taught both elementary and preschool for several years before deciding to write full-time. She claims her first word was kitty. She is an active member of SCBWI and now lives with her husband and cats in Santa Barbara, CA. Bruno Brogna is an illustrator who specializes in creating characters for greeting cards and children’s books. He finds that traditional drawing in his sketchbook allows him to express his ideas quickly and directly before completing the process on a computer using digital watercolor. Brogna can be found on Instagram and Flickr. He lives in Burnley in the North of England.

 

Praise for My Book of Firsts: Poems Celebrating A Baby’s Milestones

“A cheery . . . collection with broad appeal . . . Upbeat poems celebrate a baby’s common milestones. . . these straightforward, easy-to-read poems radiate joy. Brogna’s soft, cozy illustrations of friendly animals add to the atmosphere of gentle positivity. . . the book evokes a warm feeling, celebrating the way a baby grows.”

— School Library Journal

Praise from Poets for My Book of Firsts

“Written in the playful voice of a baby, Wardlaw’s poems celebrate a child’s firsts with gentleness, fun, and great love. Families will enjoy reading this collection together again and again.”  – Amy Ludwig VanDerwater, author of Read! Read! Read!

“This delightful celebration of a child’s first year of life captures each exciting new discovery and milestone in lyrical language that hums and thrums, giggles and squeals, and sings. It begs to be read aloud. Just say yes!”
– Nikki Grimes, bestselling author of Bedtime for Sweet Creatures and Off to See the Sea