This Time of Year

Music and storytelling are two powerful tools! See what magical things can happen when you believe in yourself and get a little help from your friends and family.

The book takes place during the holiday season in the big city, through the eyes of a middle child sparrow "named Petronia," where everyone in her world is a bird or an insect. All the characters have all the same emotions and desires as human beings. As Petronia faces challenges with the holidays right around the corner, she realizes how important it is for her to deal with everyday challenges, and to have a strong support system of friends and family. Whether it's performing a song around the holidays or any other obstacle, as long as you have family and friends, there is nothing you can't overcome or achieve. All it takes is to keep trying and a little "Practice"!

JOSEPH R. PETRUCELLI He is an award-winning creator, writer, composer & lyricist, a devoted family man, adjunct college professor, songwriter, and dreamer. A fifty-year student of guitar and music, a graduate of the Berklee School of Music Songwriting Certificate, and the love of all kinds of music has enabled him to develop unique ways of inspiring kids of all ages to hear and play music. Working with kids in focus groups, or years of mentoring kids through soccer, he loves to create materials at the kids' level. A love for birds whether it was his Blue and Gold Macaw, Freud, or his Blue Front Amazon, Rodney, has continued to be a passion of Joseph R. Petrucelli throughout his life. The day a sparrow landed on his head in his backyard, birds became the inspiration for this book and the birth of Petronia. His mission is to show kids that music is the great equalizer and a universal language. Whether you're tapping your foot, clapping your hands, or simply embracing the emotion the music creates, it can help get them through even the most difficult everyday life challenges. His main objective is to get kids to wish on dandelions and believe in themselves. He created a quote, "If You Can Wishette, Your Dreams Can Come True!"