I had the pleasure of meeting Ed Raarup at the 2013 SCBWI Winter Conference in New York. I don’t usually read chapter books, but I was so impressed with the story, illustrations, and original songs (Broadway caliber!) for Fireflies and Shooting Stars  that I had to blog about it … and offer a FREE GIVEAWAY!

Fireflies and Shooting Stars “The Tale of Enzo”

by Ed Raarup,  Illustrated by Lindsay D. Nery

Fireflies and Shooting Stars is a heart-warming tale about Enzo, a little firefly who was born without a tail light.

It’s obvious Enzo is different from the other young fireflies, and the challenges this brings sets Enzo on a fantastic journey to find his own light. Enzo’s determination takes him on a magical flight of hope, understanding, and self-discovery, as he realizes the power of his uniqueness and the importance of accepting the differences in others as well as himself.

A Heart-Warming Story with Universal Appeal

What hooked me on this story was its universal appeal and positive message. I immediately empathized with Enzo, a firefly born without a tail light, and cheered for him on his journey to become whole. Though the true power of the story came when Enzo realized he doesn’t need a tail light, that his greatest gift shines from within. We are all “different” in one way or another, and the theme of self-acceptance and embracing the differences in others are important lessons to learn … at any age.

The luminous illustrations Lindsay D. Nery created  for Fireflies and Shooting Stars  (full-color throughout) bring Enzo and his family and friends to life, while drawing us into their magical world of fun and adventure. Their visual appeal add depth to the story, and shine in their own right.

Plus a Broadway Caliber Musical!

It’s rare that you find a strong story with musical accompaniment to match. Music plays an important role in (the story) Fireflies and Shooting Stars, and the accompanying CD is nothing short of amazing. The twelve original Broadway caliber songs are performed by professional talent. Seriously, folks. This musical score is on par with “Annie”, maybe better.

A Brilliant GivEaway!

For a chance to win a  copy of the awesome Fireflies and Shooting Stars, here’s what you do:

1. Leave a  comment on this blog by midnight Sunday, March 3rd (1 entry).
2. Tweet this blog post (1 entry).
3. Share this blog post on Facebook (1 entry).
4. In your blog comment, mention your tweets and shares (if any).

On March 4th, I’ll tally your score and enter your name once for each entry, then draw a winner at random and announce the winner on this blog Wednesday, March 6th.

NOTE: Sorry, but this contest is only for residents in the continental United States, due to shipping costs.