Blizzard

Blizzard is based on John Rocco's childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought fifty-three inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island. Told with a brief text and dynamic illustrations, the bookopens with a boy's excitement upon seeing the first snowflake fall outside his classroom window. It ends with the neighborhood's immense relief upon seeing the first snowplow break through on their street. In between the boy watches his familiar landscape transform into something alien, and readers watch him transform into a hero who puts the needs of others first. John uses an increasing amount of white space in his playful images, which include a gatefold spread of the boy's expedition to the store. This book about the wonder of a winter storm is as delicious as a mug of hot cocoa by the fire on a snowy day.
Praise for Super Hair-o and the Barber of Doom

With a light, humorous touch, Rocco reveals that sometimes the Kryptonite is all in your head.
---Publishers Weekly

Bold, colorful pen-and-ink illustrations burst with power from each spread in comic-book style. This story will make a feel-good impression on budding comic book/superhero fans.
---School Library Journal

Praise for Blackout

The plot line, conveyed with just a few sentences, is simple enough, but the dramatic illustrations illuminate the story...Not all young readers will have experienced a blackout, but this engaging snapshot could easily have them wishing for one.
---Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The colorful pictures work beautifully with the book's design. Rocco uses comic-strip panels and a brief text to convey the atmosphere of a lively and almost magical urban landscape. Great bedtime reading for a soft summer night.
---School Library Journal (starred review)
2012 Caldecott Honor BookNew York Times Notable BookWall Street Journal Best Book of the YearPublisher's Weekly Best Book of the YearSchool Library Journal Best Book of the YearKirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
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Praise for Fu Finds the Way

Rocco's story flows smoothly and his illustrations are rich and appealing...
---Kirkus Reviews

Author: John Rocco
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 10/30/2014
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 11.10h x 9.40w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781423178651
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 170829 / Blizzard

Award: Georgia Children's Book Award - Finalist
Award: Red Clover Award - Nominee
Award: Ladybug Picture Book Award - Nominee
Award: Irma S. & James H. Black Award - Honor Book
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Star of the North Picture Book Award - Nominee

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews Fall Preview 08/15/2014 pg. 53
Kirkus Reviews 09/01/2014
Publishers Weekly 09/01/2014
School Library Journal 10/01/2014 pg. 94
Horn Book Magazine 11/03/2014 pg. 77
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 12/01/2014
Booklist 12/01/2014 pg. 56
Kirkus Best Picture Books 11/15/2014 pg. 69
Shelf Awareness 12/16/2014
Booklist Ed Choice Youth 01/01/2015 pg. 18
New York Times Book Review 01/18/2015 pg. 20
New York Times Book Review 01/25/2015 pg. 22
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2015 - Superior,Well Above Average

About the Author
John Rocco (www.roccoart.com) studied illustration at Rhode Island School of Design and The School of Visual Arts. In addition to writing and illustrating his own picture books, including the New York Times best-selling and Caldecott Honor-winning Blackout, he has created all of the cover art for Rick Riordan's best-selling Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus series. He also illustrated Percy Jackson's Greek Gods. Before becoming a full-time children's book creator, he worked as an art director on Shrek for Dreamworks, and for Disney Imagineering. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.