# Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son - Hardcover

by **John Parra** (Author), **John Parra** (Illustrator)

**Four starred reviews!**  
**A _Kirkus Reviews_ Best Picture Book of the Year**

**From award-winning artist John Parra comes a "heartwarming family story that underscores the value of creativity, passion, and hard work" (_Kirkus Reviews_, starred review) that is "a love letter to sons and their fathers" (_BookPage,_ starred review) based on his childhood experience.**

Today is a big day--the first time Juanito gets to help his papi on the job as a landscape architect! Throughout the day, Juanito sketches anything that catches his eye: a nest full of baby birds, a nursery with row upon row of plants and flowers, and more. Father and son travel from house to house, pruning, weeding, mowing, and turning overgrown and chaotic yards into beautiful spaces.

A few of the clients don't appreciate Papi's hard work, like Juanito's classmate who pretends not to see him. But Papi always feels pride in owning his own business and in a job well done. And at the end of the day, Juanito may get the chance to turn his artistic eye toward landscape design--just like his papi.

### Author Biography

John Parra's illustrations for _Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos_, written by Monica Brown, earned the book a _New York Times_ Best Illustrated Book designation. He also illustrated _Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors_ by Roseanne Thong, which received a Pura Belpré Honor and the Américas Book Award: Commended; _Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans_ by Phil Bildner, which won the Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration and was a Bank Street Best Book of the year; and _Hey, Wall_, by Susan Verde, which _School Library Journal_ called "a must-purchase" in a starred review. Learn more at JohnParraArt.com.

**Number of Pages:** 40

**Dimensions:** 0.4 x 9.25 x 9.4 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** May 10, 2022

## Details

- **Price:** 18.99 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 18.99 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-23