Cranberry Twp. childhood inspires Calif. resident to write first book
A childhood spent in Cranberry Township has inspired a Oakland, Calif.-based author to write his first children’s book.
Shane Downing, writing under the pen name of Collin Pine, said his book, “The Garden Next Door,” is currently being printed and will be released Oct. 4. People can pre-order the book at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and Target.
Downing, the son of Dale and Patti Downing and a 2007 graduate of Seneca Valley High School, said the book, written for first- and second-graders, was inspired by Downing’s love of gardening.
“The idea came out of our backyard in Oakland. The backyard was completely grass. Most of our neighbors had mostly grass. We put in raised beds and intentionally set about getting plants native to California,” said Downing.
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