Hey Wendy Watch This! is available for purchase at Brown & Dickson, and Attic Books.
Click the link below to download a free PDF version
| Hey Wendy Watch This! |
Hey Wendy Watch This Book ReviewsSince you are viewing this webpage it is likely that you have made it to the end of Hey Wendy Watch This! Thank you for reading. I hope some stories made you laugh and remember your own childhood memories. Please use this page to post your review.
Deb :) The Reviews:Karen Beck-Shiells - London
I loved your book, "Hey Wendy, watch this"! I took it home and read it the same day. I grew up in Northern Ontario and had some similar experiences. I have since read the book over again, probably 3 times and it continues to give me enjoyment and make me laugh. Thanks for sharing your stories. Karen Beck-Shiells, former STEGH employee. Kate - London
Hi, Deb - just finished the book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Although there were only a few things that our childhoods had in common, the biggest was the sense of freedom, the wandering and exploring. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work! Benjamin Vazquez - London
Old East, it would appear, is suffering from an embarrassment of good history. "Hey Wendy Watch This!" is the third excellent book on the neighbourhood's past published in as many years. But unlike "The People Came: The People Stayed" and "Hopping Into History" the newest arrival reads less like a history book and more like a collection of interconnected short stories. The book is chaotic, hilarious, sometimes disturbing, and a damned good read. "Hey Wendy Watch This!" comprises Debra Rogers recollections of her childhood in Old East Village in the 1950s. Over the course of her childhood she attended Lorne Avenue Public School, joined the Girl Guides, and mostly got in a great deal of trouble. She talks about breaking into the school at night, terrorizing the catholic students at St. Mary's, and messing about with abandoned cars. At the end, the reader is left with an impression of a childhood extremely well lived, and an appreciation for the vibrancy of community life as seen from one child's perspective. The book is a celebration of life, childhood, and community. It's a heartwarming read for those of us who live in the area today. It is, above all, a hell of a lot of fun. From the Brown & Dickson Blog Site: http://www.brownanddickson.com/blog/ Lorraine Rogers - My 83 year old mother - London
"You were a bad little bugger and you need a good talking to!" (The only story my mom knew anything about was the School Break-in because the police came to the door. She was surprised and amused by the other stories. She enjoyed reading about the house and the neighbourhood and the book brought back a lot of great memories for her. It was fun to see her laugh as she talked about them. Her copy is now being passed around in the nursing home for others to read.) Jane Murphy - Toronto
This book is a trip down memory lane to a time where children were left to their own resources most of time. It will strike a chord with anyone that was a child in the 60's. It made me laugh, cry and remember the brutality of panty hose. Thanks for bringing these stories together and sharing them! David Ennis, Retired Principal - London
As the last Principal at Lorne Ave Public School before it closed, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Deb's book this summer. She has captured the EAO experience beautifully and has given us insights on the rough and tumble life in which she flourished. Although there are a few moments where harsh events emerged much too soon for young Deb, she demonstrates the typical grit and resilience of the children that I knew and loved at Lorne Ave. Deb has done a brilliant job of bringing Old East Village to life! Susan Gordon - Port Stanley
I saved the book for this weekend to read while I had time to sit with it and just finished. It is historically interesting, reflective and a little crazy. The little girl was smart enough to experience both worlds (the before and after 9:00) before deciding which direction to go. We don't all take the time to look at all perspectives with choices and just grow up with that in which we are exposed. This is what I found the most striking. Debbie was a wise little girl in some ways and zany in others. A complex little girl who liked to have fun but was still learning how to do it without guidance. I think you should drop a book off at Cold Spring Turkey Farm - that was funny ... I laughed out loud. Sharon Dutton - St. Thomas
Highly entertaining! Transported me back to my own childhood and the wonder of those days of innocence. Anxiously awaited the next adventure and laughter awaiting me as I turned each page! James Reaney - London Free Press
http://www.lfpress.com/2016/06/24/my-london-hey-lorne-avenue-school-read-this Steve Marshall - London
What a fun read. Deb has a delightful way of bringing her childhood memories to life. Simple times. Freedom to explore. Interesting characters. Loving family and friends. Looking forward to the next instalment. Janet Baldock - London
I had a lot of laugh out loud moments while reading this book. This was a wonderful trip back in time with stories very similar to my own. The only disappointing aspect about this book is that it was way too short. I could have kept on reading! Loved the historical notes at the end. Donna Shortt - London
This is a delightful read! Tales of childhood times when life had no limits or fears, but lots of imagination and risk-taking. Many times you will say "I remember doing that!" But just as many times, you will say "I can't believe she did that!". You will laugh out loud at the many adventures of Deb and her 'big brother', and feel the hurt in some. We can never go back to those simpler times but we can enjoy the memories. 'Hey Wendy Watch This!' lets you do just that. Merwan Zabian - London
Great reading. When r u going to write another???? Betty Seldon - London
Laugh and gasp! The cover photo tells it all. "What mischief can I come up with next?" With gumption, great imagination, plus flair for the dramatic, the leader of the Dare Devil's Den took on her world of East of Adelaide and grew herself up! Good on you Deb, and when can we expect more stories? Mary Jane McArthur - London
I started to read this treasure and could not put it down! I laughed, I cried I remembered those " good old days" and knowing Deb. I could so see her story come to life. Very well written as well! Well done ... You have a future in writing! Oh, and I loved the historical perspective as I too grew up EOA! 
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Hey Wendy Watch This!
Her eyes might look innocent ~ but are they?
Adventures at Lorne Avenue School, Sir Adam Beck, and in the neighbourhood, pack life full of surprises for the Rogers family as Deb grows up East of Adelaide in London, Canada. You might not believe that all these stories are true ~ but they are! Life was full of wild times as Deb grew up East of Adelaide from 1955 to 1974. The book shares neighbourhood and school stories from EOA, Lorne Avenue School and Beck Collegiate. There are humourous stories and some not so humourous. The focus is completely from Deb's perspective - because isn't life all about Deb? STEGH Foundation Book Sale & Signing
Today at STEGH (St. Thomas Elgin General Hospital) was so much fun. Some books sold, which was great as I am a little less in the hole from the printing costs and the STEGH Foundation received a little money toward the CT Scanner.
But what was the greatest about today was the VISITING! People came out of their cubby holes to say hello and to mostly laugh. It was pure delight. Sometimes we had to force ourselves to stop laughing so someone could buy a book. Sometimes we didn't even remember that there were books there to be sold! I am home now; have been here for a while, but I am still smiling about today. HWWT is now available in the London Public Library System
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