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Merry Christmas
Maryann Cocca-Leffler,
Author, Illustrator, & New Hampshire Resident

Maryann Cocca-Leffler made her debut in children's books as the illustrator of Eileen Spinelli's Thanksgiving at the Tappletons in 1982. Since then she has illustrated over 30 books for children including 15 books she has written as well. Maryann's ideas, writings, and illustrations are sometimes based on her own childhood experiences as seen in her new book Bus Route to Boston, (BMP 2000) as well as Clams all Year (BMP 1996). Bus Route to Boston recreates wonderful childhood memories of traveling to Boston by bus from her home in Everett and experiencing the everyday enjoyments of Boston such as bargain hunting in Filene's Basement, food shopping in the Northend or stopping for ice cream at Baileys. Clams All Year is another warm story about spending summers with her family on the coast of New England.

Many of her books were inspired by her daughters. The idea for Missing: One Stuffed Rabbit (AW 1998) came from an experience her daughter Janine had in first grade. Princess for a Day (GR 1998) was based on her younger daughter Kristin's fourth birthday party. Mr Tanen's Ties (AW 1999) was inspired by her daughters' Saugus Elementary School Principal, the real Mr. Tanen.

Maryann holds a BFA in illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art. In addition to writing and illustrating, Maryann conducts presentation and visits many schools throughout the year. She creates from her studio in Amherst, NH where she resides with her husband Eric and daughters Janine and Kristin.

Readers may visit her home page at http://hometown.aol.com/mcleffler/myhomepage/index.html


Bus Route to Boston
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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The everyday sights, sounds, and smells of a colorful and bustling city come alive in this book--a child's view of Boston. Maryann Cocca-Leffler remembers frequent bus trips she took into the city as a girl with her mother and little sister. Together they shopped for delicious treats in the Italian North End--warm pizza and creamy cannoli--or stopped for ice cream sundaes at Bailey's after a day of bargain-hunting at Filene's Basement. One of the best things about the trips was the bus driver, Bill. He started his route each day in their neighborhood and knew all the kids on the street. In this engaging book, the author-artist conveys all the warmth and simple pleasure of childhood memories and the people and places that made them so special.


My Backpack
Illustrated by
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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When Grandma sends her grandson a backpack, he can't wait to fill it with interesting things. His toy train fits just right. His blocks and his big brother's baseball socks fit perfectly, too. And there's still room for more, including his teddy bear, his mother's keys, and the family cat! It's amazing what will fit in a backpack if you really try.


Wanda's Roses
Illustrated by
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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When Wanda discovers a thornbush growing in the empty lot at the corner of Fillmore and Hudson, she's quite sure it's a rosebush all ready to bloom. So she clears away the trash, checks on it every day, and brings water from the butcher shop across the street. But no roses appear. Wanda's neighbors and friends are all doubtful, but when she invites them to a tea party in her "rose garden" one day in June, they're in for a big surprise.


Clams All Year
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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It's summer vacation--and all the brothers and sisters and cousins are together in a large, rambling house at the shore. Every morning at sunrise Grandpa wakes up the children to go clam digging. And every day they come back with nearly empty buckets--until the storm, that is. What happens on the beach the morning after the big storm is something they all remember for years to come.


Mr. Tanen's Ties
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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The students of Lynnhurst Elementary love their principal, Mr. Tanen--and his ties! He has one for every holiday and occasion. But Mr. Apple from the school office doesn't like the ties and insists that Mr. Tanen stop wearing them. Everyone is miserable. Until the students give Mr. Apple his own new tie which brings about some unexpected and welcome changes.


Missing:
One Stuffed Rabbit

Maryann Cocca-Leffler
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After losing Coco the class pet at a shopping mall, second-grader Janine learns that the stuffed rabbit has mistakenly been given as part of a toy distribution at a local hospital.

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