I Sit and Stay: A Survival Guide for Kids (And Parents Too!) [Paperback]

Leah L. Waarvik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 2008

I Sit and Stay is a unique safety guide for all children and parents who enjoy the outdoors. As families explore the natural beauty of America's national parks, forests, and wilderness areas, they need to be prepared. A child's disappearance while camping or hiking is every parent's greatest fear. Leah Waarvik, a dedicated search-and-rescue professional, empowers children by showing them how to help themselves, and educates parents about a subject that most know little about. I Sit and Stay uses real-life search-and-rescue dogs to teach the lessons that can save lives. The cute and talented dogs, Emma and Koa, make being lost less scary. They teach kids what special items to carry and how to use them to stay safe, and give kids tips to assure being found if they get lost. Rescue professionals agree that these are the most important things to remember, and no other book offers this vital information. Boxed set includes paperback book and survival kit.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I Sit and Stay, written for children, with essential and fun parental interaction, contains the absolute basics that all children should know to help themselves survive and to be found if they become lost in the wilderness. Parents, you may rest easier knowing your child possesses the knowledge, basic equipment, and skills contained in this fun guide. I can assure you that we in the search and rescue profession will. I highly recommend this guide! --Matt Scharper, California State Search and Rescue Coordinator -Governor's Office of Emergency Services

A brilliant, insightful resource that all parents should share with their children. The principles in I Sit and Stay can help all lost persons be found safe, making the great outdoors much more enjoyable for everyone! --Eric Sheets, President, CARDA(California Rescue Dog Association) and K9 Handler

Parents, you need to share the information in this book with your children. It could save their lives. --Ron Seitz, Chief, ALCOSAR (Alameda County Sheriffs Office Search and Rescue) and K9 Handler

From the Publisher

Endorsed by: CARDA (California Rescue Dog Association)

CARDA is the largest and most geographically dispersed search-dog organization in California and is a direct resource for the State of California Office of Emergency Services (OES) Law Enforcement Division. Established in 1976 and considered the premier search-dog organization in the nation, CARDA and its standards serve as a model for other search-dog-teams.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 36 pages
• Publisher: Get Sirius Press; 1 edition (August 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0979770246
• ISBN-13: 978-0979770241
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #446,259 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Sports & Games > Camping
  • #48 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Health > Safety

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Alaskan Mom Approved, June 18, 2011

By 

L. Keller (anchorage, ak) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: I Sit and Stay: A Survival Guide for Kids (And Parents Too!) (Paperback)

The author of this book (and her dog) is a member of a search and rescue team. Instead of filling parents with fear, it provides practical information. Leah Waarvik's unique approach gives the reader statistics, skills and knowledge only a seasoned search and rescuer could provide. It has sections for parents so they can better explain topics to the children. The main story is aimed at children and teaches them what to do when lost.

From the author:
I decided to write I Sit and Stay after hearing stories of children who were lost and unprepared. I came to realize that the great presentations put on by search-and rescue teams weren't reaching enough children......I wanted to create an option that was a bit more available and interactive for families that enjoy being outdoors. I Sit and Stay covers the basic principles of survival and is meant to initiate an interactive process between adults and children. - Leah Waarvik

I love the pictures in this book. It is a combination of cut out pictures and child drawn images. The dogs are so funny all sitting in front of a chalkboard at dog school and the lost child with huge garbage bag over him are clever. My 18 month old loves looking at the dogs and my three year old seems to be drawn to the crayon drawings.

You can visit this website and learn about the dogs in the book. I loved this especially amusing description:

Bandit is a member of (CARDA) California Rescue Dog Association and also of (ALCOSAR) Alameda County Sheriff's Department Search and Rescue Team. He's been certified in Area for 8 years now and is also training for C-1 (land human remains). In his spare time he likes to herd sheep and cattle. He likes to show occasionally as long as there are good treat involved and girls to meet. Bandit now has a son and a grandson that are also in Search and Rescue.

My children (2 and 3) are a bit young for this book and amount of words per page, but my three year old enjoyed the story that I made up paraphrasing the main ideas. We talked about how dogs can find you if lost, how to use a whistle so that I can come running and that a plastic bag keeps you warm and dry. I would love a version aimed at even younger kids though!

I like how the book moves beyond the hug a tree to tell kids to sit and stay where you can be found. It explains how the dogs can find you (smell and scent), that helicopters might be searching and that there are things they should do. For a bit extra, you can get the book along with survival tools. A mirror, whistle and bright yellow bag can easily be taken on your next hike.

While parents don't like to think about losing their child on a hike, it does happen. This book can help parents understand how to react and prepare children for what steps they should take. It also gives hints for parent such as using aluminum foil to make a copy of your child's shoe print. This makes tracking them easier for rescuers!

I give this book my Alaskan Mom Approval as it opens the discussion of procedures when lost (for parents and kids), has wonderfully amusing pictures and is written by a real life rescuer (and her dog) who even autographed my copy!

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Book, December 21, 2008

By 

Voracious Reader (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Sit and Stay: A Survival Guide for Kids (And Parents Too!) (Paperback)

This is a brilliant idea for a book. I bought it for my nephew who's 4 years old. He loves reading about the dogs and has learned what to do if he ever gets lost. A must have for all children.

5.0 out of 5 stars Every parent needs this book!, December 4, 2008

By 

Albert E. (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Sit and Stay: A Survival Guide for Kids (And Parents Too!) (Paperback)

I bought this book and survival kit for my next door neighbor after they almost had a full blown search for their missing 3 year old on Thanksgiving day. He was found right away, but everyone (including the boy) was very scared. We ALL love the book, and the 3 year old is captivated by Emma and her pals. He's learned how and when to use the whistle and proudly recites the "I Sit and Stay" poem.

I'm now ordering copies for everyone I know with children and for my local Montessori school. I also found extra kits for families with more than one child. Kit for I Sit and Stay A Survival Guide for Kids and Parents Too!