East Quogue Author Recognized At Los Angeles Book Festival

Up until a few weeks ago, Maria Daddino, of East Quogue, thought everyone liked her book, Maria's Duck Tales, only because they knew her from around town. That perception changed, when Daddino got word that her book recieved an honorable mention for a non-fiction work at the Los Angeles Book Festival.

"I was just thrilled that my little book got such a great reception," said Daddino." and here I was thinking everyone liked it because they know me."

And since the book festival, Daddino learned that her book also received possitive reviews from Readers Favorite.

Daddino, who has been known for telling oral stories about the animals that speak to her in her elaborate garden, says she sat to write the book in 2000 after spending years as a caregiver.

"One day my son said to me I should write the stories down," Daddino, who also writes a column for the Southampton Press, said.

But, she didn't just write them down, she posted them on a website that her son helped her create. Soon, she said she started hearing from people across the word, e-mailing her that they loved her stories.

From the stories she posted on the Internet, her book was born.

"I finally condensed the stories, fulfilling a childhood dream," she said.

Her book, takes readers on a journey through her garden, which is filled with butterflies, rabbits, birds, deer and turkey.

Daddino's book, which is illustrated by Steve Ensign and was originally self-published, is available locally at the and . It can also be purchased on Daddino's website, where she is offering signed copies with no shipping charges for $14.95.