Joe Rocco

The Neapolitan cuisine that I grew up with. It would have been perfect if I added some Stella Doro cookies because that completes the Long Island experience. Mangia y’all!
#illustration #editorialillustration #joerocco #italy #italiancooking

The reviews are coming in! #wordup #childrenspublishing #lawleypublishing #ravenhowell #joerocco

Word Up! comes out tomorrow and I’m so excited to see it launched and for kids to enjoy. I feel so honored to have had the pleasure of illustrating this book. Raven Howell is a magical writer. 😉🦄 Thank you Lawley Publishing! #childrenspublishing #lawleypublishing #ravenhowell #joerocco #wordup

“Words can do wonders! Explore the magical world of words & how important it is to choose them carefully. A wonderful book for kids to learn the power of our words!"
- Dipali, Kidlio Magazine
#childrensbook #libraries #teachers #readers #book #wordup #booksky @nutter3000.bsky.social #wordsmatter

My official book trailer for “Word Up!”, coming out on Feb 10th. #lawleypublishing #joerocco #childrenspublishing #ravenhowell #childrenspublishing

Working out some sketches about Neapolitan cuisine and Italian American culture. #illustration #italianamerican🇮🇹🇺🇸 #neapolitan

I’ll give them your regards. Ha! Nice reference.

I’ll showcase this so much better tomorrow, but the feature I did for Highlights for Children is finally out. I did the cover and a ton of inside illustrations. You’ll have to excuse my dirty desk and La Dolce Vita sketches. #heart #highlightsforchildren #illustration #childrenspublishing

Thanks Dusty.🙃

A smattering of work from 2025
#childrenspublishing #kidlit #illustration #comics

a woman in a white dress says bam in front of a chain link fence ALT: a woman in a white dress says bam in front of a chain link fence

Revenge is a dish best served cold from a Greek diner with an “F” rating and multiple code violations.

Here’s the animated gif version of this year’s Christmas card! #secretsaucestudio #joerocco #illustration #childrenspublishing

I’m working on an animated gif version of this right now and will post that tonight, but this is my studio Christmas card for this year. Merry something to you, y’all! #secretsaucestudio #joerocco #illustration #christmas #childrenspublishing

A Christmas animation from last year. #joerocco #childrenspublishing #christmas #illustration #animation

Thank you, Katie. 👍

Each term is paired with one of Rocco’s bold and colorful illustrations, which truly carry the book by demonstrating their meanings clearly...
An entertaining introduction to bigger words. #Lawleypublishing #childrensbooks #RavenHowell #JoeRocco #Illistration

excitement as well as everyday topics like transportation and the weather. The book is divided into sections of about three words each.

“Words are mighty, words are strong. We write them, speak them, sing our song! I hope you learn new words today and think about the ones you say.” The text presents a list of big words sure to improve readers’ vocabulary, covering emotions like frustration, anger, and

BOOK REVIEW
Howell explores the wild world of words and their meanings in this picture book.

Words can do any number of things: they can heal, they can hurt, they can describe sounds, they can ask questions, and they can even entertain. Howell reminds readers that,

Kirkus just reviewed "Word Up!", the picture book that I illustrated for author Raven Howell and Lawley Publishing. Check it out!

WORD UP!
Raven Howell
Illus. by Joe Rocco
Lawley Enterprises LLC (36 pp.) $16.99 paperback
ISBN: 9798892660723
April 16, 2026

BOOK REVIEW

It’s #kidlitpostcardday & my name is Joe Rocco. I’m an author & illustrator w/clients like Scholastic, Highlights for Children & Nat Geo Kids. I have 4 new book projects & I’m currently looking for a literary agent. My website is secretsaucestudio.myportfolio.com #childrenspublishing #kidlit

The full 2 page spread illustration with design elements that I recently completed for BrainPlay magazine and art director Patrick Greenish. I loved every second of the time spent on this. #childrenspublishing #illustration #highlightsforchildren #brainplay #joerocco

Gary Larson still has “it”!

I’m a sucker for a corny Halloween movie. I’ll watch them all. #halloween #childrenspublishing #illustration #kidlit #childrensbookillustration

Happy Kidlit Postcard Day! #kidlitpostcardday

After years of wanting to get one of these & also upgrade my old workhorse of a computer, I finally got the latest iPad & MacBook Pro & a nice hi-res monitor to network it with. This was my first splurge after paying off all my credit cards. The Labor Day deal I got on this saved me a ton of money.

One of 4 book dummies I am working on. This book dummy is about a penguin named Magnus who runs a fancy ice hotel and teaches his little nephew Max all about hospitality. #childrenspublishing #kidlit

More stickers for the book launch of “Word Up!” Coming in February 2026.

I’m taking no prisoners today, you filthy animals!

Working on ideas for stickers to promote my upcoming book release with Raven Howell and Lawley publishing.