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 & Willie Ripple Events 

Contact Willie Ripple Events at: 303-738-1733,  Or willie@whatdoidobooks.com   

Contact Oakbrook Publishing House at: 303-738-1733 or  oakbrook@whatdoidobooks.com                             

Valentine School Parties...What Do I Do?^®

Reviews and Testimonials

 

"This is a wonderful reference for classroom-size groups. It is filled with games, snacks, crafts, and activities for all elementary ages. Other members of our PTO also used it and we liked it so much that we bought multiple sets as references for our Party Parents."

—Amazon.com Customer, Illinois

 

"One of the best party books written. Loaded with usable ideas. I have searched for a good party idea book. THIS IS IT! It is loaded with unique, practical (and most importantly) usable ideas. I was very impressed with this book. Highly recommend it!"

—Amazon.com Customer, Indiana

 

"Valentine School Parties is designed for teachers, librarians, caregivers, and parents of elementary school-age children. The profusion of clever ideas will guarantee Valentine party success! Teachers and parents alike will discover organized, easy-to-use, fully illustrated chapters, including 'The What, Why & How of Room Parenting,’ more than 40 child-approved games, 40 'Hearts, Crafts & Favors,' over 40 sweets and drink recipes, and 30 unique, award-winning 'Valentine Boxes.' Virtually all of the ideas and suggestions in Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® can be adapted to parties outside of the school classroom. Highly recommended."

—James A. Cox, Midwest Book Review, Oregon, Wisconsin, September 1998

 

"You’ll turn to this lively, creative, and well organized book again and again for your Valentine parties at school or at home! A must for every classroom!"

—Nancy Weinberger, Community Relations Coordinator, Borders Books, Littleton, Colorado

 

"If you want to win the children’s hearts this Valentine’s Day, get this book. It has everything you need to plan a very impressive party for the classroom or a great program at the public library."
—Kathy Totten, Public Library Program Specialist, Koelbel Library, Littleton, Colorado

 

"You have done a wonderful job! The book is well organized and full of great ideas. There are so many ideas in Valentine School Parties that I am going to use them in my classroom for art projects."

—Chris Schleig, Teacher, Ohio

 

"It is clear that Willie really had her HEART into the creation of this invaluable classroom resource. This gifted and talented author has provided her readers with a plethora of fun and innovative games, crafts, and treats to give any Valentine sweet memories to treasure."

—Monica Lobser, M.A.Ed., Co-author, OOPS divergent thinking books, Colorado

 

"Valentine School Parties is the perfect resource book for everyone from veteran teachers to a novice homeroom parent. As a teacher concerned with time management, I really appreciate that the book is so incredibly easy to refer to and follow. Truly, this is a book full of creative and innovative ideas."

—Lauren Sickling, Teacher, Colorado

 

"Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® will be well used again and again with my Girl Scout Troop, on my job (school setting), and at home with my own children and their friends. I found many helpful and useful items."

—Melonie Ayers, Girl Scout Troop Leader, Ohio

 

"The Valentine School Parties book is absolutely excellent. I loved how it was presented. Wilhelminia really captures the nuts and bolts of room parenting."

—Dania Fitzgerald, Satisfied Customer, Maryland

 

"Hmm, What Do I Do?® Award-winning author Wilhelminia Ripple shares her innovative and ingenious ideas in another of the What Do I Do?® books. Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® is a jam-packed book that will guarantee Valentine party success. Teachers and parents alike will discover organized, easy-to-use chapters on 'The What, Why & How of Room Parenting,' 'Games,' 'Hearts, Crafts & Favors,' 'Sweets,' 'Drinks,' and award-winning 'Valentine Boxes.' The book is fully illustrated."

—Parent Guide, Brooklyn, New York, January/February 1999, and Valley Family, Decatur, Alabama, January 1999

 

"Attention room mothers (and fathers)! Looking for some new ideas for a heartwarming and festive Valentine’s Day party for your child’s classroom? Author Wilhelminia Ripple has a whole book full of fun and innovative games, crafts, and treats. It’s called Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^®"

—Northwest Family Magazine, Bellingham, Washington, January 1999

 

"Here’s a marvelous resource for Valentine parties in an over-sized format loaded to the gills with ideas, games, crafts, and treats. From the award-winning author of the What Do I Do?® series, readers will discover easy-to-follow directions for everything from themes with educationally-related facts to the 'What, Why, and How of Room Parenting.'

Colorful, fun, and engaging—with illustrations by Heather Anderson—parents, teachers, and caregivers will benefit from this virtual treasure trove."

—Nashville Parent, Nashville, Tennessee, February 1999

 

"Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® offers suggestions in how to throw a heartwarming and festive Valentine party with ease. Written by Wilhelminia Ripple, the book covers games, crafts, planning, and even recipes. It’s the perfect resource for everyone from veteran teachers to the novice room mother."

—Richmond Parents Monthly, Richmond, Virginia, February 1999

 

"This large-format book, aimed at teachers of kindergarten through sixth grade (though adaptable to other child-centered programs) offers suggestions for Valentine parties, including games, crafts, and refreshments. Some of the ideas also relate to Presidents’ Day, and others carry the Valentine theme into the area of post offices and mail delivery, reflecting the activities in many classrooms. Unsophisticated black-and-white drawings illustrate the text. Teachers will find craft patterns, bingo board cards, and games such as Valentine Word Search ready for photocopying. A practical resource for February fun."

—Carolyn Phelan, Booklist, March 1999

 

"The Valentine School Parties book is great!"

—Denise Campuzano, Satisfied Customer, Colorado

"Andy and I were thrilled to see our thoughts in print. Your book is wonderful and beautifully put together."

—Joan and Andy Schilekret, Satisfied Customers, Colorado

 

"Thanks for the Valentine party book. It’s great. I love the cover and artwork inside. My favorite parts are the crafts and boxes. Since I am not crafty, I need to see the ideas. Also, I liked the beginning part—discussing the organizing of the party since I like things organized."

—Judy Thielen, Satisfied Customer, Maryland

 

"With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, teachers and room parents across the city are racking their brains, trying to come up with some new and exciting ideas for school Valentine's parties. An answer to this yearly dilemma arrives in the form of Wilhelminia Ripple’s new book, Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® She takes all the guesswork out of planning a spectacular Valentine’s Day party sure to leave the kids wanting more. My favorite chapter, as with her Halloween School Parties book, is Ripple’s advice on room parenting. You just know that she has already 'been there, done that' with every bit of advice she offers. The helpful hints from other parents and teachers, plus the convenient forms to copy and send home notes and keep track of successes and failures, make this book an indispensable classroom reference."

—Sharon Galligar Chance, Times Record News, Wichita Falls, Texas, January 1999

 

"This book is full of clever, easy-to-implement ideas for staging a Valentine’s Day classroom party for kids in kindergarten through grade six. Many of the suggestions for crafts, games, sweet treats, and delightful boxes to deposit Valentines in are cute, but none seem too cute for the boys in the class to stomach. Although the book is designed for use by room parents, who assist teachers, there’s no reason why the ideas couldn’t be used for home parties."

—Richard Tambling, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Connecticut, January 2000

 

"Remember how exciting school Valentine parties were when you were a kid? Wilhelminia Ripple does and shares great ideas in her new book, Valentine School Parties, a successor to her award-winning book, Halloween School Parties. If you’re a teacher or parent, you’ll love both of these terrific self-published books."

—Barbara J. Winter, Winning Ways, Minneapolis, Minnesota, January 1999

"So you have decided to plan a Valentine’s Day party for all the little cupids—what do you do next? With a little planning and innovation, a heartwarming party is within grasp of your reach. And you do not have to spend lots of money! In fact, all the ideas listed can be accomplished for under $10.00!"

—Vonda Wall, Kern County Family Magazine, Bakersfield, California, February 1999

 

"Are you a room parent and at a loss for how to celebrate Valentine’s Day with your son’s or daughter’s class? Become an expert the easy way with Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® (Oakbrook Publishing House). The clever ideas in this jam-packed book will help you throw a festive and successful event."

—Boise Family Magazine, Boise, Idaho, February 1999

 

"Whether you’re a teacher or a room helper planning a school party, or a parent throwing a party at home, you can always use help putting together an upbeat celebration that will keep children’s attention. Wilhelminia Ripple, a mother of three, has put ten years into gathering and creating Valentine ideas. Her book Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® offers parents and teachers entertaining alternatives to boring paper cutout activities. Valentine Laced Candy Hearts, Cupid Stationery, and Candy Roses let kids bring home creations to be proud of. (Parents and children can also put together the crafts at home to pass out as Valentines.) For party-time fun, kids will enjoy delving into Ice Cream in a Bag or Caterpillar Gum. The games are child-tested and listed by age appropriateness. The last chapter, 'Valentine Boxes,' celebrates children’s own creations. The book includes party-planning forms and information about becoming a room parent and funding school parties."

—Jacqueline Etcheverry, L.A. Parent, Burbank, California, and San Diego Parent, San Diego, California, February 1999

 

"I liked the whole book. I’m new to this and the book is fantastic. I liked the tips from the kids and parents in the beginning of the book. I also liked the 'Valentine Box' section. My son was crazy about the castle on page 178-179. I loved everything! Keep up the good work."

—Karen Milatello, Satisfied Customer, Phone Interview

 

"This is the most thorough and practical book I have ever seen."

—Jane Kerr, Satisfied Customer, Ohio

 

"I recently checked out your Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® book from my local library and I loved it."

—Michelle McCarthy, Satisfied Customer, Florida

 

"I have a Valentine/birthday party every year for my daughter. I have just checked out Valentine School Parties...What Do I Do?^® from my library. This book is really packed with so much. I especially like all the games. Games are the hardest thing to find. I also like how each idea tells the age group."

—Joy Curfman, Satisfied Customer, Ohio

 

"I found Valentine School Parties…What Do I Do?^® at the library and thought it was a great book. I used it for some carnival games we were doing at our daycare. I also used several of the games for a Valentine week’s worth of activities. We’ll be using more of your ideas and adapting them for events all year long."

—Captain Elaine Medlock, Salvation Army Officer, Leavenworth, Kansas

 

"I run an after-school program for a non-profit organization with children that range in age from 6 to 14. It’s very difficult to plan holiday events that will interest all the kids, but I got some great ideas from this book! It covers everything from games, to crafts, and special treats. While most of the activities are geared toward the younger crowds, I was able to extract some ideas for the older kids as well. A very well organized and creative book!"

—Amazon.com Customer, Georgia

 

“I had to take the time to write and tell you how helpful—in fact critical—your Valentine’s book was to my recent event. I hosted the first-ever K-5 Valentine’s Day Family Social last Friday night and virtually the entire event came from the pages of your book. I’ve attached an activity plan and flyer to give you a taste of what went on. It was such a blessing to have your guidebook to rely on ideas that worked with such a span of skill, etc. Numerous parents have commented not that they just had a good time but how innovative and creative they felt the party was. It makes me want to have a complete set of WHATEVER you publish on my shelf! I’ve already recommended exactly that to my two son’s teachers and the school library! Thanks a bunch!”

—Aundrea Heschmeyer, Satisfied Customer, Virginia

 

“The rest will come easy. This simple-to-use resource contains pages full of goodies designed to help parents plan an easy, unforgettable Valentine’s bash for any classroom full of cupids in grades kindergarten through six. The book provides six party themes and a selection of coordinating games, recipes and favor ideas to complement them. The suggested projects and activities are easy, kid-approved, hassle-free, and fun. Hints, reminders, and supply lists scattered throughout the book help ensure there won’t be any last minute scrambling to locate essentials like craft glue or a camera. Event planners are sure to appreciate the practical party advice from veteran teachers, as well as the “messy” symbol placed by projects that might entail extra mopping up.”

—Kelly de la Rocha, Parents Express, Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, February 2002

 

"...If you're going to throw a children's party at home, you need to plan ahead to avoid having a lot of bored kids on your hands...That doesn't mean parents have to stress over every moment — and that's what her books are all about... Ripple's book is loaded with suggestions for Valentine's Day. With a bag of candy hearts, for instance, you can play Candy Heart Sentences, in which teams make as many sentences as possible from a bag of conversation hearts in an allotted time..."

—Marty Meitus, Food Editor, Rocky Mountain News, January 2002

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