Twelve-year-old Willa Havisham is a classics reader, a cherry-cordial eater, and quite possibly the world's worst wisher. But when she and her glamorous single mother, Stella, move to Bramble, Cape Cod, Willa's wishes are beginning to come true: She makes her first-ever best friend, Tina. She bonds with her hip, candy-making nana. And best of all, steely Stella is falling for Willa's English teacher, Sam -- he's perfect dad material! But before Willa can marry off her mother, or dance with her adorable crush, Joseph, a pit gets stuck in the wishing well.... Can Willa undo the damage before Stella misses her chance to say "I do"? Find out as Coleen Murtagh Paratore unveils humor, hope, and lots of love in one hopelessly romantic modern fairy tale!

The Wedding Planner's Daughter (2005)

Coleen Paratore

Scholastic. Inc.

A Pearl Among Princes

Penguin USA, Inc.

Go beyond “A is for Apple” with an alphabet book that builds character. As children learn and review their ABCs, they discover positive actions they can perform with their own small hands—like applauding, building, giving gifts made with love, helping, planting, recycling, and volunteering. These are simple things even toddlers can do for themselves and others. The message throughout is that everyone, no matter how young or how small, can make a difference in the lives of those around them. The book ends with big hands clapping. A warm, affirming book for the home, childcare, or preschool.

26 Big Things Small Hands Do

Children's Books

Literature & Fiction

Free Spirit Publishing

"I conceived of this book as a way of keeping my mother alive...." Thus begins author Coleen Paratore's account of the year she and her mom, Peg Murtagh, wrote themselves better. Frightened that her 75-year-old mother would not survive a darkest-ever bout with depression, and personally still grieving the end of her 28-year marriage, Coleen suggested they meet regularly to read short pieces they'd written about good things in life - a self-help writing club of sorts. They promised to write and share every week for an entire year. Meeting for lunch at various restaurants in their beloved hometown of Troy, NY, each read aloud a brief essay or poem. They wrote about faith, family, food, friends, teachers, books, baseball, birthdays, holidays, music, meditation, neighbors, Oprah, the ocean, the Adirondacks, parks, pets, gardens, gratitude, road trips, recipes, surprises, Sunday mornings... As the months pass and the experience benefits them in profoundly positive ways, they come to believe that their journey might be a useful model and gift of encouragement for others. Peg Spain Murtagh is a life-long resident of Troy, NY, mother of six adult children and grandmother of eight. She is a gifted writer and poet and a self-described "competent public speaker." Coleen Murtagh Paratore is an award-winning author, writing teacher, and inspirational speaker, best-known for her 1⁄2-million selling debut novel, The Wedding Planner's Daughter, which sparked the beloved "Willa" series. www.coleenparatore.com

Writing it Right

Peg Spain Murtagh

The Troy Book Makers

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Books by Coleen Paratore