Leo's Gift - Hardcover

by Susan Blackaby (Author), Joellyn Cicciarelli (Author), Carrie Schuler (Illustrator)

2019 Best Book Awards, Winner: Children's Picture Book (Hardcover Fiction)
2019 International Book Awards, Winner: Children's Picture Book (Hardcover)
2018 Moonbeam Award, GOLD: Best Illustrator
2018 Illumination Book Award
2018 Independent Press Award, Book Cover Design: Children
2018 Independent Press Award, Children's Religion
2018 Eric Hoffer Award, da Vinci Eye Cover Design Finalist

Meet Leo--a creative, shy, young boy in search of a special talent that he can share with the world. Curious and persistent, Leo tries all kinds of activities. Then, with the unknowing help of his sister, he discovers music. Leo may seem quiet, but the piano gives him a big voice, helps his confidence soar, and propels him to embrace the treasure inside him and share it with the world.

Beautifully illustrated and filled with heart and hope, Leo's Gift is a perfect story for parents, children, and siblings to read together. Leo will inspire kids everywhere to explore their passions, believe in themselves, and learn that not all gifts come wrapped in a box.

Children everywhere have already been inspired by Leo's Gift:

"It's not a gift Leo got in wrapping. It's a gift he got in his life." --Molly, age 8

"Leo discovered something about himself that he never knew about before--and he like what he found, so it's a gift." --Jack, age 11

"I'm going to explore and find out things about me like Leo finds out about himself." --Isabelle, age 7

"Brothers and sisters can be gifts too, especially when they stick together." --Torin, age 8

Author Biography

SUSAN BLACKABY pursues her creative and professional lives across a flurry of pages. On the clock, Suz specializes in early literacy and has written hundreds of fiction and nonfiction titles for the K-8 audience. She is the author of Brownie Groundhog and the February Fox and Brownie Groundhog and the Wintry Surprise; Cleopatra: Egypt's Last and Greatest Queen; and Nest, Nook, and Cranny, winner of the 2011 Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry. She writes in a cozy retreat at the foot of the Cascades overlooking the Columbia River.

JOELLYN CICCIARELLI has been developing books and media for children, parents, and teachers for nearly three decades. She spent two wonderful years as editor for Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and is coauthor of The InvestiGator Club, a preschool program that earned the Association of Educational Publishers Golden Lamp and Distinguished Achievement Award. A wife and mother of two, Joellyn lives in Illinois, is an avid reader and collector of children's books, and loves to inspire others to share their gifts with the world.

CARRIE SCHULER is an award-winning illustrator and graphic designer. Known for layered, textural illustrations composed of ephemera she collects, Carrie's most recent book, Drop by Drop (Loyola Press), earned a Moonbeam Children's Book Award, the International Book Award, and an Excellence in Publishing Award. Carrie practices, polishes, and shares her gifts in Chicago, where she lives with her wonderful daughter and whimsical cat.