Maryann Cocca-Leffler

STAND UP, INSPIRE, INCLUDE and INVITE, is the theme of a new website, www.JaninesParty.com and it’s corresponding children's book Janine. The mission of the book and the website, created by Amherst, NH Author-Illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler and her daughter Janine Leffler, is to help change public perception of children with disabilities and increase awareness and acceptance through children's literature, film and poetry. Janine Leffler, from Nashua, gave her mother permission to develop a character base on her life as a child with disabilities. Janine. (the book), which publishes on March 1st, was inspired by a bullying experience Janine had many years ago. Now, as an adult, Janine is an amazing role model, who focuses on the positives in life and wants to use her own experiences and stories to promote respect, tolerance & kindness. Like the character in the book, Janine has a contagious upbeat attitude and focuses on the things she can do, not the things she cannot. The book is about embracing differences, staying true to who you are, and standing up for yourself and others. JaninesParty.com hopes to become a resource for parents, teachers and students. It has links to inspiring films and lectures, resources, as well as a list suggested books, (Picture books, Middle Grade and YA novels, in which the main character has a disabilities). The site also features inspiring Poetry written by students and young adults with disabilities. The poetry link is opened for submissions, with the intention to give a voice to kids and young adults with disabilities. (Janine’s Party would love to feature your poem. Please visit the website to find out how to submit.) JaninesParty.com will be hosting a random drawing, beginning March 1 in which one autographed book will be given away each month for one year. A Publishing Launch Party and Signing for Janine. will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at the Toadstool Bookshop, Lorden Plaza, 101A in Milford, NH. 2-4pm. Both Maryann and Janine will be there to sign, read and discuss the book. Maryann Cocca-Leffler is an Author-Illustrator of over 50 children’s books. Her new children’s book, Janine. will be published by Albert Whitman & Co. Chicago, on March 1. To find out more about her books, visit: www.maryanncoccaleffler.com

Location: Street: 614 Nashua Street, Lorden Plaza Additional: 603-673-1734 City: Milford, Province: New Hampshire Postal Code: 03055 Country: United States (tilføjet fra IndieBound)… (mere)

Let It Rain by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Lots of Lambs by Laura Numeroff, Lynn Munsinger (Illustrator)

Storytime The first day of spring is almost here. Spring brings rain showers and new life. Help us to welcome this beautiful season as we read Let It Rain and Lots of Lambs. (tilføjet fra Barnes & Noble)… (mere)

A new, original play, Princess K.I.M. The Musical, is coming to NH in 2013!

Learn about The Path To A Play at a Free February Family Event at the LaBelle Winery & Event Center. The audience will hear about the "Page to Stage" process and meet the creative team including: Creator/Playwright Maryann Cocca-Leffler, CoAdaptor/Director Toby Tarnow, Composer/Lyricist Andrew Cass, and NYC Musician/Composer Premik Russell Tubbs, as well as others involved in bringing Princess KIM The Musical to the stage. The debut performance will be right here at the Amato Center for the Performing Arts in Milford, NH on Oct 3-6, 2013. Open auditions for this production will be held May 31 and June 1.

The Free February Family Event includes: book reading, performance of selected songs, followed by a book signing as well as a raffle for play tickets and autographed books. TOADSTOOL BOOKSHOP will be on hand for the purchase of Maryann's books, as well as her brand new book, A Vacation for Pooch, among others. A cash bar will be available including soft drinks and hot cocoa as well as Michele's Sweet Shoppe's 'Totally Awesome Gourmet Popcorn'.

Advance registration is required at the EVENTS link: www.labellewinerynh.com Labelle Winery & Event Center is located at 345 Route 101, Amherst, NH 03031, 603-672-9898.

Also visit: www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com and www.maryanncoccaleffler.com

Location: Street: 614 Nashua Street, Lorden Plaza Additional: 603-673-1734 City: Milford, Province: New Hampshire Postal Code: 03055 Country: United States (tilføjet fra IndieBound)… (mere)