Thank you. JANINE has been LAUNCHED.

Thank you so much for joining us at our JANINE Publishing Launch Party!  
We enjoyed sharing our Book, our Story and our CAKE!  Please continuing sharing our message...Stand UP, Inspire, and Include...
and spread the word about JANINE.
  


All Photos by Brian Woodbury- Toadstool Bookshop. Thanks Brian.


It may be the end of the cake....but just the beginning for JANINE!
A big thanks to Toadstool Bookshops (Support your independent bookstore!)
and our Publisher, Albert Whitman & Co.
Love who you are! Warmly-
Maryann & Janine

Touching Lives through JANINE

Janine & Maryann before Amherst NH Middle School Presentation
Amherst Middle School 5th & 6th graders- A full house.
Janine and I have spent the last several weeks visiting schools, (Elementary and Middle) as well as presenting to a Parent Night and to the community at our local Public Library. The reaction to our our book, JANINE and our message has been overwhelming. A warm thank you to every person who embraced us with your words and your hugs. Most comments were directed at my daughter Janine, who bravely stood in front of crowds of students and adults, publicly disclosing her disabilities and going on to tell the emotional story of a bullying incident, (which sparked the idea for the book). I'm very proud of my daughter. She is truly my hero and is an amazing role model to not only children, but adults. She never let her challenges get in the way of her goals. Life for her has not always been easy, but her powerful sense of self and her ability to see the bright side of every situation has helped her embrace who she is. As Janine puts it;
 "My disabilities are part of me, and I am proud of who I am." 
We are hoping that our book, JANINE opens up conversations within families and schools. Perhaps if we teach kids to STAND UP for themselves and others and help them change the way they view people with disabilities, we'll put a stop to bullying and create a better world. 

Amherst Library


A FAMILY AFFAIR
During our Gr5 to Adult presentations, we show the film FOLLOWING FLAME which is an Award winning documentary-short created by my daughter Kristin and inspired by Janine. Her film follows the rock band FLAME which is made up of adults with disabilities. Our mission, to help change public perception of children and adults with disabilities and increase awareness and acceptance, has become a family affair.

 From Kristin, (who is currently working in Alaska):  "Growing up, I watched my older sister, Janine face a lot of challenges. The worst of those challenges were not from her disability itself, but rather society's inability to see what she was capable of. School bullies have transformed into impatient employers, unwilling to give my fun-loving, intelligent, hardworking sister a chance. These perceptions we hold about "disabilities" start at a young age and continue on into adulthood. That's why, even from thousands of miles away, I'm cheering on my Mom, Maryann Cocca-Leffler, and my sister as they present my mom's new book "Janine" in schools to show kids how important inclusion is."
Henniker, NH
Henniker, NH- Our message: Be Your Spectacular Self
Our last local Event is March 28th
Booksigning, Talk and Cake! Join us:
As you can see...The BOOK is the beginning...the "spark" which is igniting conversations in schools and communities. I have many more School visits this Spring, but please contact us if you would like us to present at your school or organization.
BE YOUR SPECTACULAR SELF! 
Warmly, Maryann and Janine
mcleffler@aol.com
JANINE is published by Albert Whitman & Co.

EVENTS- Join us.

For those unable to make our events, Janine and I would be happy to mail you a personalized signed Bookplate. 
Just email mcleffler@aol.com Subject line:"Bookplate"
Available through all stores or online at: 
Week 4 Winner Nancy Venezia- MA
Last Book Giveaway-Mar 30.  See below.
Local Amherst,NH Events:
Janine and Maryann will be presenting:

March 18-  Wilkins School  8:30AM Gr. 2,3,4 assembly (Booksigning 3PM)
March 23-  Amherst Middle School- 7PM  Presentation* and Booksigning
                        Sponsored by AMS Parent Partnership Team Meeting
                        (Any Amherst/ Mont Vernon resident is welcomed to attend.)
March 25-  Amherst Public Library, Evening Presentation*. Open to Public 7-8:30PM
                        (Registration required for Library Program  603-673-2288 )
March 26 - Amherst Middle School: 9AM, 5 & 6 Grades- Assembly
March 28-  Toadstool Bookshop, Lorden Plaza, 101A in Milford, NH. 2-4pm. 
Party and Signing - Everyone is invited!
*Presentation: STAND UP and INSPIRE-Embracing Disabilities in Books and in Life.

Other Events:
March 6 -   School Visit- Hampton, NH
March 11-  School Visit- Holliston, MA
March 13-  School Visit- Chelsea, MA
March 16-  School Visit- Henniker, NH
April 6-     Make a book Program- Chelmsford MA
April 12-14- School Visits Battle Ground, Indiana 
April 14-16- Texas Library Conference  Austin, TX
April 29- New England College-  Education lecture
April 30- School Visit- Saugus, MA

 BOOK GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate the publishing of JANINE we are giving away 5 Autographed Books, one book every Monday in March. To enter, just help us spread the word about JANINE on Facebook, Twitter or Email and then enter through the GIVEAWAY BOX on the right. We will randomly pick a winner each Monday. The winner will be contacted and the winner's Name and State will be posted here.
Week one winner : Cindy Thayer- OH
Week two winner: Liz Ullrich, NH
Week Three winner: Evelyn Cronin- VA
Week Four winner: Nancy Venezia-MA
NEXT & Last DRAWING: MARCH 30rd.

(If you entered before, your name stays in the drawing.)
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