Growing an Artist - by John Parra (Hardcover)

About the Book

Today Juanito is accompanying his father who is in the landscaping business, and he takes his sketchbook along to draw anything that catches his eye, and gets to help his father plan an entire garden--and then help plant it. Includes an autobiographical note.

Book Synopsis

Four starred reviews!
A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year

From award-winning artist John Parra comes a "heartwarming family story that underscores the value of creativity, passion, and hard work" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) that is "a love letter to sons and their fathers" (BookPage, starred review) based on his childhood experience.

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.

Review Quotes

*A young artist helps his father on the job....In this autobiographical tale, author/illustrator Parra recounts his childhood experience of tagging along to work with his papi, an independent landscape contractor, for the first time. TJohn's father is from Mexico, and characters are depicted with skin tones ranging from tan to dark brown.
(author's note) -- "Kirkus Reviews, *STARRED REVIEW*"

*Parra incorporates Spanish words and phrases into the text and touches on the importance of Latin American migrant workers to the landscaping industry. It's an underappreciated job that requires creativity and demanding physical labor.... Honoring the great pride that Parra's father took in his landscaping work, Parra's characteristically vibrant and finely detailed acrylic illustrations in Growing an Artist depict people and plants with equal affection and respect. The way that Papi points out natural beauties to his artistic young son is tender and moving, and a scene in which he gently lifts a branch to reveal a hidden bird's nest is especially lovely. Growing an Artist is a love letter to sons and their fathers, to work done with one's hands and to making the world more beautiful, no matter what tools are used to do so.-- "BookPage, *STARRED REVIEW*"

*Parra's autobiographical picture book reflects on how working in his father's landscaping business nurtured his identity as an artist.... Juanito's sketch pad is close by throughout, and he learns that everything he experiences feeds his imagination: his proudly entrepreneurial father, an overgrown yard, a nest of baby birds, and even a classmate's dismissal all become driving forces "to tell the stories of hardworking, passionate people who make the world more beautiful." An author's note concludes.-- "Pubishers Weekly, *STARRED REVIEW*"

*Sincere and lively with illustrative detail, Parra's story reveals how his personal sense of creativity and esteem for hard work grew during his childhood experiences with his papi's landscape company.....As he readily sketches and helps Papi with landscape work, readers meet the role models in Juanito's childhood world--not just Papi but also long-time employee, Javier, from Mexico. This story offers teachable moments about the different but equally important roles that create a thriving community.... In an author's note, Parra delves deeper his father's life story. VERDICT In a reflective nod to his youthful days spent with his father, Parra presents a balanced, intricate illustrative style to convey his earnest appreciation for hard work, lessons, and creative influence.-- "School Library Journal, *STARRED REVIEW*"

About the Author

John Parra is an award-winning illustrator, designer, author, and educator. For his children's illustration work he has received three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors. His books include Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, which earned a New York Times Best Illustrated Book designation; Green Is a Chile Pepper, written by Roseanne Thong, which received the Américas Book Award; Spanish Is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart, which received seven starred reviews and the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award; Hey, Wall, written by Susan Verde; The Power of Her Pen, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome; and his authorial debut Growing an Artist, which was the recipient of the Christopher Award and the Américas Award. Learn more at JohnParraArt.com.