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

John Parra tells stories of his childhood, helping his papi in his father's work as a landscape contractor. Juanito struggles when a friend from school, Alex, looks away and pretends not to see him while he works in a yard. And yet he learns a lot about design and art and the value of work from his time helping his father.

Some beautiful lines from the conclusion to the book: “I see the yards my dad has made beautiful...I remember Alex's face in the window. I turn to a blank page and begin to sketch. I will use my art to tell the stories of hardworking, passionate people who make the world more beautiful. I will tell their stories. I will tell my story.”