Practicing to Shine: Leo’s First Flight

Drachman, Eric ; [Muscarello, James, Illustrator]

Leo the Lightening Bug

Los Angeles: Kidwick Books, 2001.
A multi-sensory children’s narrative designed to bolster self-esteem and perseverance through synchronized storytelling. 

Eric Drachman’s debut title follows the journey of Leo, a young lightning bug struggling to find his light, providing a relatable allegory for childhood development and the mastery of new skills. Celebrated for James Muscarello’s vibrant, nocturnal-themed illustrations and its high-production-value audio accompaniment, this volume functions as an essential tool for early literacy. It has received numerous accolades, including the Benjamin Franklin Award and the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year, solidifying its place in the modern canon of developmental children's literature.

KEY FEATURES
+++ Visuals: Features full-bleed, vibrant color illustrations by James Muscarello that utilize high-contrast palettes to bring the nighttime setting to life.
+++ Multimedia: Includes the original, unplayed audio CD housed in the rear sleeve, featuring a fully produced dramatization with music and sound effects.
+++ Binding: Durable pictorial hardcovers with a gloss finish; reinforced library-style binding typical of Kidwick Books productions.
+++ Imprint: Kidwick Books, Los Angeles. 2001.
+++ Specs: 10.5 inches tall; unpaginated [32 pp.].

CONDITION: Fine / As New.
+++ The Book: Pristine, unused condition. The pictorial boards are bright with sharp corners and no shelf wear. The spine is tight and uncreased.
+++ The Interior: Text block is clean and crisp. The CD remains in its original, sealed or undisturbed sleeve at the rear. No previous owner marks or signs of handling.

SCHOLARLY FEATURES
+++ Pedagogical Value: Acts as a primary resource for bibliotherapy, specifically addressing anxiety and the social-emotional learning (SEL) milestones of early childhood.
+++ Auditory Literacy: The inclusion of the synchronized CD serves as a case study in the efficacy of read-along media for improving phonological awareness and narrative comprehension in pre-readers.
+++ Award-Winning Design: Represents the high standard of independent children's publishing in the early 2000s, evidenced by its sweep of independent book awards for both content and production quality.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
Leo the Lightning Bug was a standout success in the independent publishing world of the early 21st century. It proved that small presses like Kidwick Books could compete with major houses by focusing on high-concept multimedia integration. The book’s message of "practicing until you succeed" resonated across the educational landscape, leading to its widespread adoption in elementary counseling programs and early childhood classrooms.

SUBJECTS: Children's Literature, Self-Esteem, Nocturnal Animals, Multimedia Books, Early Literacy, Social-Emotional Learning, Picture Book, Audio Book.

Item #21737

Price: $24.00