When Mama puts on her twirly skirt,
Daddy, his hat and Western shirt,
On Saturday night that’s when I know
With a kiss, a curtsy, a do-si-do,
They’ll skip out the door to go dancin’.

But does this little gal mind?  Not one bit!  Cause she’s got three of the dandiest baby-sitters ever to spin a yarn of rustlers and rodeos, sizzle up some spicy grub, or sing a sad, sad country song under the spotlights.  With Carlene, Chet, or Uncle Buffalo Beau in charge, Saturday night’s a rompin’, stompin’ good time for sure.  Yippee-kye-yay!

A Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2001
Kentucky Bluegrass Award Finalist, 2002-03
Volunteer State (Tennessee) Young Reader Award Finalist, 2002-03
Recommended Book, PBS Kids “Reading Between the Lions”

Reviews:

“ . . . a rollicking, rhyming text celebrates the joy of attentive, creative caregivers and the loving parents they can’t replace . . . vibrant illustrations capture the warmth and zest for life . . . thigh-slappin’ fun to read aloud . . . “  - School Library Journal

“. . . Root creates a mood by painting a perpetual twilight with a sunset palette; his sturdy figures are outlined by warm brown shadows.  With its easygoing rhythms and roll-off-the-tongue rhymes, this is a rhinestone of a read-aloud.” – Booklist

“ . . . The voice has a strong country twang and rhythm; rhyme and vivid words describe the thrilling nights of a young girl who welcomes unusual babysitters when her parents go out Western dancin'.”                                   – Children’s Literature Review

The author recommends Buckamoo Girls by Ellen A. Kelley as a delightful companion title to Saturday Night Jamboree.