Jack's Talent

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

"You must be good at something," said Miss Lucinda. "Everyone has a special talent."

On the first day of school, Miss Lucinda asks the students to share their special talents. Francesca is a star soccer player, Matthew can catch huge fish with his grandpa, and Candace is an excellent artist. It seems that everyone has something to share. But Jack is worried. He doesn't have any talent at all . . . or so he thinks.

Acrylic paintings that pop with energy and charm make this story by veteran author and illustrator Maryann Cocca-Leffler the perfect boost for any child who questions his or her abilities.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, School, Fiction, Self Esteem

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 10, 2007

About the author

Maryann Cocca-Leffler of NH, is the Author and Illustrator of over
60 books for children. Maryann’s book, Janine (2015) and its new sequel, Janine and the Field Day Finish (2016), were inspired by her daughter, Janine. Together they have developed a corresponding website, www.janinesparty.com with a mission to help change public perception of children with disabilities. Other books include, A Homemade Together Christmas, Bus Route to Boston and Bravery Soup.
Now a playwright, Maryann wrote a play based on her Princess KIM books. Princess K.I.M. The Musical won a National New Play Festival in 2012 and has had sold out performances on the East and West coasts. Princess K.I.M. The Musical is now represented by Stagerights.com, a licensing agency in LA to bring the play National.

Maryann grew up in the Boston area (read Bus Route To Boston!) and attended Massachusetts College of Art and Design where she received a BFA in Illustration. Her very first book, Thanksgiving at the Tappletons’ written by Eileen Spinelli, was published in 1982 and has been re-released in 2015 as a classic. When not in her studio, Maryann is traveling, visiting schools and attending her play.

If you are interested in a school visit, please check out the VISITS link on my website:
www.MaryannCoccaLeffler.com
www.JaninesParty.com
www.PrincessKimTheMusical.com

Reviews

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the first day of school the teacher asks each child in her class to say their name and what their special talent is. Every child, except for Jack, has a talent, but then Jack discovers his VERY special talent.

[Maria Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack's talent by Maryann Cocca-Leffler is about a little boy named Jack who has his first day of class. The teacher gathers all of the students on the story rug. She tells them that she needs to make name tags so she wants everyone to say their name and their special talent. All of the students say their names and talents but Jack tells them that he doesn't have a special talent like them as he keeps talking the teacher discovers his special talent. If you want to find out Jack's special talent I recommend you read this book!

The illustrations in this book are amazing! It is a very colorful book and the illustrations depict what the author talks about in every page. Therefore, it has great visuals for students to help them understand the story better.

The words used in this book are easy words for young children to understand. What is great about this book is that every time a student mentions their talent, there's illustrations to show what the talent is. So if a child doesn't understand one of the talents, he/she can look at the pictures.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I think teachers should read this when they have their first day of class. This book is really welcoming for students to be able to understand how to express themselves. A lot of kids might be shy the first day of classes but with the help of the teacher and the students, those students can get through their first day. I love this book and I thought the ending was clever and joyous.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Jack's first day of school. His teacher sits everyone down on the storytime carpet and introduces herself and states that she is good at gardening. Then she wants each child to state their name and something they're good at. All of Jack's classmates stand up, state their name and explain what they're good at. When it becomes Jack's turn he doesn't think he's good at anything. But then he realizes that he listed everyone and what they were good at. Jack's good at remembering!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! The illustrations are so fun and the books has a wonderful message. It can be used to start a dialog between a parent/child or teacher/student(s) about what makes them special and unique. My daughter said her talent was riding her bike, and I pointed out that she is also talented at drawing pictures for people. It was very sweet, just like this book.

[Laurie]

I love this book! It's about a boy who has a talent but doesn't realize it. He can't play soccer or the piano, but his talent is equally as important! A great book for kids with less-than-obvious talents

[Ashlee Gibson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It is a great book to read on the first day of school. It will remind everyone that there is something special about everyone. The illustrations are so colorful. It reminded me to look for something special in each child.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty cute first-day-of-school and everybody's-special story. The illustrations are cartoony-er than I prefer, but my little boy seemed to like this book.


Actual rating: 3.5 stars, but I round up.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

EVERY child is talented in their own way, and that's the message of this book. But it's delivered as part of a nice back to school story. And I love the illustrations!

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book that little kids love. A book about finding your own special gifts. Cute...one of the better of the Show-Me Readers 2009-2010 lot. Darling, colorful illustrations.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book that introduced the idea of talent. Unfortunately what my DS seemed to take from it was that Jack wasn't good at anything :(

[Saima Pradhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explains how everyone has some sort of talent. It helps Jack find his talent.

[Naphtali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Good for story times.

[Lexy]

mentor text

[Karla Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every student has a special talent, even if they don't see it at first.

[Marshmallowlemonade · Rating 3 out of 5]

jack figures out what he is good at.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack finds out his special talent is remembering things.

[Jenn Sinal · Rating 4 out of 5]

So true- every child has a gift. Our goal as teachers, like Miss Lucinda is to nourish that gift and watch that child grow. Lovely, simple, direct.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for younger children who need a bit of confidence building. A good lesson for all.