Book Giveaway: GROWING SEASON by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Maryann Cocca-Leffler has written and Illustrated a new picture book titled, GROWING SEASON. Published by Sterling Children’s Books. Maryann has agreed to share a book with one lucky winner. All you have to do to get in the running is to leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping Maryann!

BOOK’S DESCRIPTION:

El and Jo are the shortest kids in class, and they’re inseparable. But what happens when Jo starts to grow? This sweet picture book explores the joys and challenges of friendship and growing up. “A sweet story with emotional depth.” —Kirkus

El and Jo are the smallest students in their class—and best friends, too, like peas in a pod. Even their names are short. But in springtime, something BIG happens: Jo starts growing like a weed, while El feels smaller every day. On the last day of school, their teacher asked every child to pick a plant to care for over the summer. All the other kids reach over El to grab their plant, and she has to take the very last one: a tiny, flowerless aster. At first, she’s disappointed. But as summer progresses, the aster begins to bloom—and so does El!

BOOK’S JOURNEY:

People who know me, know that I love to watch things grow…I carefully nurture my indoor plants all year long, start flowers from seed in my bright porch, and when the warm weather arrives in New England, flowers bloom in my yard.

 

While thinking about flowers I began to make a comparison to children…the vast variety, the nurturing, the time it takes to grow. Growing Season is not only a story about growing flowers…but also about growing friendships, growing patience…and growing up.

Like the rich array of flowers I featured in my illustrations, I purposely created a beautifully diverse garden of children; different colors, sizes, shapes and personalities. And like flowers, children bloom at their own rate and at the perfect time.

Happy SPRING! It’s Growing Season. Plant some flowers…but sprinkle your garden with patience, because all things take time to grow…even kids.

MARYANN’S BIO:

I’ve been writing and illustrating children’s books for more than 30 years and have published over 60 books. I graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA in illustration. My Italian childhood has inspired several books. The first book I wrote and illustrated was “Wednesday is Spaghetti Day”. My books “Bus Route to Boston” and “Clams All Year” are family stories which I hold dear to my heart. Recent books include: “Growing Season” and the Janine books; “Janine” and “Janine and the Field Day Finish” which were inspired by my daughter (www.Janinesparty.com).

My most popular series are the “LET IT” Books; LET IT RAIN & LET IT SHINE, LET IT FALL & LET IT SNOW. Please keep checking my website – www.maryanncoccaleffler.com to learn more about my books, school visits and upcoming projects. I live and work in Maine where I am working on my next new book!

Maryann, thank you for sharing your book and journey with us and thank you for sending me a copy. It is a very sweet book with a special story and great illustrations. I am sure it will be a big hit. Good luck!

Talk tomorrow,

Kathy