S&S/Paula Wiseman Books | 978-1534469273
Today is a BIG day. It will be the first time little Juanito gets to help his papi at work! Juanito’s father is a landscape contractor. Today Juanito will learn to “shape and trim bushes”, and “mow perfect lines in the grass” at Mrs. Tarbe’s house. There, Juanito sees his classmate, Alex at the window pretending not to see him. Juanito feels awkward and uncomfortable… Just then, Papi calls him to look at a nest of baby birds chirping in the middle of a bougainvillea bush. Juanito pulls out his sketchbook and starts to draw. Oh, how Juanito loves to sketch.
CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustrations and text by John Parra
At lunch, Juanito is still thinking about Alex. He asks his papi if he likes his work. “You know, ‘mijo, being your own boss is the best thing in the world. You have to work hard and sometimes you are treated like you are invisible.” His father continues, “when you do something you love and get to be creative, you feel proud.”
Juanito knows this feeling of pride. Throughout the day, he draws and works, works and draws. He’s becoming a fine artist!
At the end of the day, the last stop is at the home of a couple who have a big project in mind. And Juanito? He has the perfect design to transform Mr. and Mrs. Carroll’s overgrown yard into a beautiful landscape. Hours later, lost in his work, drawing, thinking, and adding color, Juanito creates the perfect plan.
CLICK TO ENLARGE © illustrations and text by John Parra
“You have a gift,” Mami tells Juanito.
Juanito knows that he will use his art “to tell the stories of hardworking, passionate people who make the world more beautiful.” In an author’s note, Parra writes that he is Juanito – “The story of the little landscaper is the story of my childhood.”
GROWING AN ARTIST: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son is a celebration of a family’s warm relationships, and the enduring connection of respect, hard work and creativity.
