Janine.

by Maryann Cocca-Leffler

Meet Janine. She is one of a kind! Janine dresses a little different, remembers random facts, reads the dictionary for fun, and has her own style of cheering. Nobody does things the way Janine does things! One girl in Janine's class is throwing a party and all the COOL kids are invited. But Janine is not cool. Some kids think she is strange and want her to change. Will Janine try to be different or just be her spectacular self? In this charming story, Maryann Cocca-Leffler uses her own daughter as inspiration for a delightfully spunky character. Janine Leffler focuses on the positive while navigating life with disabilities. She has become a role model to children and adults, encouraging them to focus on abilities and promoting respect, tolerance, and kindness. Please visit:
www.JaninesParty.com

Look for JANINE and the Field Day Finish Oct 2016

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens, Autistic Spectrum Disorder, School, Disability, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2015

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

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

HA, take THAT, exclusionary bullies, we don't WANT to go to cool kids party, we want to go to AWESOME KIDS party.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really sweet book about a little girl called Janine, who isn't afraid to be herself. In fact, she is downright proud of who she is an what her interests are. Her unique-ness is shunned by the seemingly "perfect" girl who is have a party for the "cool kids". But as Janine continues to assert herself as "spectacular", the other kids come around and think she's fun and cool too, and they all want to go to Janine's party! A very effective, yet subtle, message that its cool to be yourself!

[Elliott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janine is a charming picture book for students in Kindergarten through Grade 2. It teaches an important lesson about inclusivity and being accepting of those who are “different.”

The book is about Janine, who is different from her peers in a number of ways. She sings to herself, counts steps, knows many random facts (such as classmates’ addresses and phone numbers), and dresses in an unusual fashion. Janine is not invited to a party for the “cool” kids, and so she decides to have a party of her own, inviting everyone. Many other children, including disabled and eccentric children, are then eager to befriend Janine and attend her party.

The illustrations in this book are colorful and amusing, but the story is pretty straightforward and bland. The plot is simply that there is an eccentric girl named Janine, she is told to change by a popular classmate, but doesn’t want to, so she throws her own party, and other students come. The lesson is worthwhile, but Janine’s eccentricities are only mildly amusing, and the story is extremely straightforward, without any twists or fun surprises. It should ideally be used as a springboard for a discussion about inclusivity.

This is a good book for a read-aloud in a classroom in which an educator is trying to encourage students to be inclusive and tolerant towards others with differences.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine is the Punky Brewster of her class. The Pippi Longstocking, if you will. The Gooney Bird Greene or whatever else you want to call her. She has her own unique style of dressing, her own unique hobbies, and her own personal view of the world around her. She isn't one bit afraid to be herself even if it means the other kids call her weird or strange. Even faced with being the only kid not invited to Miss Popular's party, Janine won't change who she is or how she acts. A cute and cartoony picture book that is fun to read and gives an important message.

[Lynne Vanderveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my new favorites! Janine is a smart, confident girl who does her own thing and dresses the way she wants to. When a snobby girl tells her she isn't cool, Janine responds "Yes I am!" I love the sassy character. This book's spirit and theme reminded me of another favorite (Marisol MacDonald Doesn't Match).

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that this kid just won't be defeated. I wish I were more like her when I was that age.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly delightful! I thought it would be too earnest, too obvious, maybe even preachy... but it's not at all like that! I mean, sure, the message that enthusiasm is more appealing than snottiness is obvious, but the book is so much fun I do recommend it.

[Leslie Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janine is a little girl that is a little different. She likes to do things that her classmates don't particularly like to do. She likes who she is and that is all that matters. I believe this book is a high quality children's book because the moral of the story is very inspiring even now as an adult. We shouldn't let others try to change who we are. We are all spectacular! The text is very engaging with different sizes to emphasize what the characters are saying. The vocabulary is adequate for a young reader yet challenging with few big words. The illustrations are very simple and not cluttered.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades K-4. Janine is unique-- she has her own way of dressing and acting and does not really care what anyone thinks. She thinks of herself as spectacular! A girl in her class does not want to invite her to a party--thinking this will make Janine conform with the rest of the children. But Janine isn't about to change!!

Book portrays students of many cultures and abilities. Great for kids who march to a different drummer and their peers who are afraid of anything "different."

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really great for kids who are different, like special needs, because it shows kids that being different is really cool. I love how when Janine is told to change herself to come to the party she doesn't try it but just throws her own party. Only downside is the bully girl and Janine do not make up; however, that is probably more realistic.

[Jj · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love a good story about an ebulllient kid--and Janine is nothing if not ebullient. Better still, the book has all the more impact now that I've discovered it is based on a real person.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janine is as individual as they come. When others want her to conform, she refuses. When presented with "change" or don't be included in party, she remains firm and has her own party which everyone, except one, wants to attend.

[Chelsea DiCicco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janine is an incredibly written tale of a little girl who is 100% UNIQUE. She embraces being who she is and is completely unashamed and undaunted by others disapproval of her self expression. Such a great little book.

https://youtu.be/3B9kboHVLaA

[Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows kids it is okay to not be like everyone else and other will still like you.

[Taylor Kundel-Gower · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the message about being yourself no matter what, but I feel that this story makes this issue seem more simple than it is. Also, Janine's overalls are rad af.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Janine is one of a kind. She focuses on the positive while navigating life with disabilities. She makes a difference just by being herself"-- Provided by publisher.

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful picture book that encourages individuality in young children.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine is her own person and loves herself. Not only that, everyone loves her for being her. She will not change for anyone or anything. Even a party. You go, Janine!

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. Great message and beautifully illustrated.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic celebration of people who March to the beat of their own drummer!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Janine. I wish we had more people willing to be their true selves!

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janine is different from the kids at school but she does not care. When she is challenged by the popular kids, what will she do? Learn what is extraordinary.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book, cheerfully embracing the abilities of a girl with multiple disabilities who is denied a party invitation by a classmate because of her unconventional ways.

[Thuy · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute. reinforces being kind to all, and be yourself

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picture Book. Great story about being an individual. If class is having problems with parties, or an "All About Me" unit.

[Sunah Chung · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story starts from the perspective of third person narrative, introducing the protagonist, Janine. She is a bit peculiar: she dresses in her own style, loves to read the dictionary, and hangs out peers who are not considered as predominant “cool” in school settings. When a classmate confronts and criticizes her own style and identity, Janine stands up and resists to be changed by others.
The theme of this book is keeping one's identity. Janine is a bit different from other classmates, but she values her uniqueness and differences. In a child's life, peer pressures are significant issues in constructing one's own identity. Janine in this book tells how she keeps her identity and stays confident in her own way. What I was interested in this book was how illustrations deliver a story which is not written in the texts. The texts are mainly related to the conversation between the popular girl who invites peers in to her party and Janine who is not invited. Behind the story line, the shift of peers’ perspective is well illustrated. First, peers who are invited to the popular girl's party raise questions about being invited and being cool. When the popular girl is pointing to Janine’s clothing, one boy in the line behind the popular girl does not smile but, through his facial expression, shows that he has started questioning the party invitations. For instance, the illustrations would imply that they started to contemplate about who is invited and who is not. The next page also illustrates that the boy and the other boy are whispering while they are following behind the popular girl. Their facial expressions would imply uncomfortable feelings regarding the popular girl’s comments which are critical of Janine. The next illustration portrays this boy passing over the invitation card back to the popular girl, signaling he might not go to the party. Like this, illustrations show the gradual shift of perspective of the invited peers and support Janine’s identity. The other interesting factor in this book for me was the title of this book. The title, Janine., includes a period (.) which may indicate her determined identity. Considering the fact that title is unlikely to include period, the period next to the name of the protagonist in the title must be intended by the author. Because a period usually indicates the end of a sentence, by putting period on her name on the title page, the author might show that Janine's identity is already sound and stable in spite of the popular girl's mean manner.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are plenty of great reviews here on Goodreads, but I did want to tell you that both my tutor students a kindergarten girl and my 3rd grade boy loved this book. They both wanted to read it twice! ( I read it to the Kindergartener twice) They both said that it was such a good book. The boy said how it was not right to treat Janine poorly and insist that she change. He was also upset that I did not bring the next book, "Janine and the Field Day Finish." I am hoping that if I read some books on acceptance they will remember it when they are in middle and high school! They wanted a five star rating, so I will change my rating. I love it when the students are so devoted, interested and involved in a book. It made my day!

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janine is a little girl that likes herself - yeah! She is different than the others in the way that she dresses and acts but she is kind to everyone and does what she does because she likes it. Janine was written by a mom who has a daughter Janine who has some challenges and saw how others sometimes treated her daughter poorly. She also saw how Janine wasn't going to change because that's who she was and she wanted others to better understand children like Janine and see that they were the same as everyone else. This is a good story for differences and respecting others. Possibly to be read at the beginning of the year or later on as a refresher on how our differences aren't what makes us special.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autism, Dancing to the beat of your own drum, picture book - I liked this book. Janine is one of a kind. I like that she feels good in her own skin. She knows big words and uses them because that is who she is. She has a unique style of dress. She know a lot of baseball facts. She reminds me of my own favorite Aspy and I find her charming.

Some of the vocal kids at school, however, are not charmed by her. They think she is strange. When she is not invited to the party because the host wants her to change her odd ways, Janine decides to throw her own party. I will not spoil the ending here.

This book is great conversation starter. I like that in the illustrations, one of Janine's classmates is in a wheelchair.

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maryann Cocca-Leffler’s beautiful picture book, Janine is an important story, inspired by her daughter, Janine. She has mild Cerebral Palsy, Non-verbal Learning Disorder, and Cortical Vision Impairment. In the picture book, Janine uses big words, dresses differently than the other girls, makes up cheers and chants. She is not afraid to be herself and has spunk and self love. Cocca-Leffler’s art is bright and cheerful and Janine shines with charisma. When reading Janine, readers can’t help but feel positive and inspired by the main character. I love the affirming influence that this story portrays. If you’re looking for a poignant, positive, and overall sweet story, pick up a copy of Janine.