Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son

 

By John Parra

Publisher: ‎ Simon & Schuster/ Paula Wiseman Books 
Language: ‎ English
Hardcover: ‎ 40 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1534469273
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1534469273
Reading age: ‎ 4 - 8 years
Lexile measure: ‎ AD620L
Grade level: ‎ Preschool – 3
 
 
From award-winning artist John Parra comes a touching and deceptively simple picture book based on his childhood experience about the bond between a father and son, hard work, and the links between nature, art, and creativity. 
 
Today is a big day—the first time Juanito gets to help his papi on the job as a landscape architect! Throughout the day, Juanito sketches anything that catches his eye: a nest full of baby birds, a nursery with row upon row of plants and flowers, and more. Father and son travel from house to house, pruning, weeding, mowing, and turning overgrown and chaotic yards into beautiful spaces. 
 
A few of the clients don’t appreciate Papi’s hard work, like Juanito’s classmate who pretends not to see him. But Papi always feels pride in owning his own business and in a job well done. And at the end of the day, Juanito may get the chance to turn his artistic eye toward landscape design—just like his papi.
 
John Parra is an award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator, best known for his Latino themed, children’s picture books. For his work he has received many awards and accolades including: Three American Library Association’s Pura Belpré Honors, Two Golden Kite Awards from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and a Christopher’s Award. Parra’s original artwork has also been showcased and displayed in numerous gallery and museum exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad, with many paintings now residing in private collections. He has taught art at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, CA and regularly speaks as a visiting artist at schools and literary conferences across the country, advocating art and reading education.