{"product_id":"2940015526479","title":"The Reluctant Swan","description":"Shirley Neff\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShirley has lived in Michigan all her life. She graduated from Central Michigan University with both her B.S. and M.A. degrees. She taught elementary and middle school grades in Sparta, Michigan, for 33 years, and because of her love of sports, coached both high school and middle school girls’ basketball. She has enjoyed traveling to many states (some years in a 5th wheel) and to many countries. She has enjoyed seeing God’s world.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShe feels very blessed by God and worships Him at Cedar Springs United Methodist Church.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is her first book.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJacob Koster\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eI am a first time illustrator for a first time author. A daunting task? Not when you have the confidence of the indomitable Shirley Neff behind the request.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAdditionally, I remembered the advice I freely handed out to my students: “The longest journeys begin with the first step.” The illustrations in this book are the result of a first few hesitant steps which eventually became confident strides. Thank you, Shirley, for my new shoes. Before my journey as illustrator, I referred to myself as a ceramic artist and retired school teacher. I taught art K- 12 in the public schools for 32 years.","brand":"Xulon Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47070930206960,"sku":"2940015526479","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/2940015526479_p0.jpg?v=1763621169","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/2940015526479","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}