{"product_id":"willie-wins-9781600602375","title":"Willie Wins","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn this heart-warming story, a boy gets beyond peer pressure and comes to appreciate the depth of his father's love. First-time author Almira Astudillo Gilles teams up with artist Carl Angel to create an inspiring and suspenseful story. Young readers will be cheering for Willie all the way.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWillie is having a rough day. He has already struck out in a Little League game, and now he must find a savings bank for a contest at school - by tomorrow! Dad has just the answer. It's an alkansiya, a bank made out of a coconut shell from the Philippines, where Dad grew up. He's been saving it for Willie because of a surprise inside, a treasure Dad got when he was a boy.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWillie reluctantly takes the bank to school, knowing he will be teased by his classmates for having such an unusual bank. In the weeks that follow, Willie works hard at saving his play money to win the contest. But as he works he also wonders, what will the surprise in his bank be? Is it really something special?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlmira Astudillo Gilles\u003c\/b\u003e writes fiction, poetry, plays, and essays for children, young adults, and adults. A native of the Philippines, she came to the United States for graduate study. \u003ci\u003eWillie Wins\u003c\/i\u003e was Gilles' first book for young readers. She lives in Palatine, Illinois, with her husband and thier children.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCarl Angel\u003c\/b\u003e is a visual artist who enjoys participating in the creation of narrative media--whether it is illustration, design, or independent films. He has illustrated, designed, and art directed numerous books for young readers, including \u003ci\u003eLakas and the Manilatown Fish\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWillie Wins\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eXochitl and the Flowers \/ X?chitl, la Ni?a de las Flores\u003c\/i\u003e, among others. He lives with his wife and son in Burbank, California. Visit his site at carlangel.com\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Lee \u0026 Low Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51181356286226,"sku":"9781600602375","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_1f2e335d-5e73-496e-b4da-043e437da0e4.jpg?v=1744395290","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/willie-wins-9781600602375","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}