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WORK TITLE: This Moment Is Special
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PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.johnparraart.com/
CITY: Queens
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COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY: American
LAST VOLUME: SATA 390
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born 1972, in Santa Barbara, CA; married; wife’s name Maria.
EDUCATION:Attended Moorpark Community College; Art Center College of Design, B.F.A. (with honors).
ADDRESS
CAREER
Illustrator and graphic designer. Teacher and lecturer at schools and colleges; Carnegie Art Museum, Oxnard, CA, art instructor; freelance illustrator for clients including Boston Children’s Hospital, El Museo del Barrio, Hitachi, Jeep, National Geographic, New York City Mass Transit Authority, PBS, United Airlines, U.S. Postal Service, and Virgin Records. Exhibitions: Work exhibited in galleries in New York, NY, Los Angeles, CA, and elsewhere throughout the United States, and included in private collections; honored with special event at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY, 2015.
AWARDS:International Latino Book Award for Best Children’s Book Interior Illustrations, 2006, for My Name Is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela; Golden Kite Award for Picture-Book Illustration, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award, American Library Association (ALA), and Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choices selection, all 2010, all for Gracias/Thanks by Pat Mora; Christopher Award, 2012, for Waiting for the Biblioburro by Monica Brown; Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award, ALA, 2015, for Green Is a Chile Pepper by Roseanne Greenfield Thong; Golden Kite Award, SCBWI, 2016, for Marvelous Cornelius by Phil Bildner; Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award, ALA, 2017, for Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos by Monica Brown; honors from Society of Illustrators, New York, NY, Latino Literacy Now, and other organizations.
WRITINGS
Contributor (as illustrator) to We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders, Chronicle Books (San Francisco, CA), 2019; contributor to periodicals, including L.A. Weekly, Minneapolis/St. Paul, and Print.
SIDELIGHTS
A decorated illustrator and author of children’s books, John Parra creates unique images that capture traditional elements of Mexican folk art. Raised in the environs of Santa Barbara, California, in a close-knit Hispanic family, Parra was immersed in the joys of art and storytelling from an early age. Speaking with Patricia J. Murphy in Publishers Weekly about his beginnings as an illustrator, Parra related: “My father was an amateur artist and one of my early influences. He would tell us stories, like when we were sitting at a restaurant—with those white paper placemats—and he would start drawing with his pen about the time he was in the army. He’d draw trucks and people camping out. My two brothers and I thought his stories were fascinating. We couldn’t get enough!” Parra added that his mother, an educator for three and a half decades, also helped mold his artistic mind-set: “She would take us to the library to get books, to art museums. … It was all inspiring to me—listening to stories, looking at drawings and fine art. My mom didn’t think we were too young to go to museums. And even though we would laugh and goof around sometimes, it all sank in.”
In preschool a photo of Parra and a friend doing self-portraits landed in the Santa Barbara newspaper, and he quickly became known as “the artist in the class,” as he told Murphy. Through his schooling, he exhibited a creative talent that eventually earned him a full scholarship to Pasadena’s prestigious Art Center College of Design. While there, in addition to honing his craft he played guitar in punk and ska bands that performed in Los Angeles clubs like the Whiskey and the Roxy Theater. After earning his B.F.A. with honors, he relocated to New York City and established himself as a freelance illustrator and graphic artist, where his clients have included music and book publishers, magazines, and various corporations.
Parra achieved his first book byline in illustrating Monica Brown’s bilingual picture-book biography My Name Is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/Me llamo Gabriela: la vida de Gabriela Mistral. Praising My Name Is Gabriela as a “lyrical homage to the Chilean Nobel Prize winner,” Maria Otero-Boisvert added in her School Library Journal review that Parra’s “naïve-style illustrations” allow readers “a view into a softly colored world of people, places, and creatures.” After illustrating his first picture book, for which he won the International Latino Book Award for illustration, Parra quickly further distinguished himself by earning several honors for his colorful folk-art-inspired contributions to Pat Mora’s text in the bilingual book Gracias/Thanks. Parra’s favored medium is acrylic paint on wood or illustration board, and among other honors, he has won three Golden Kite Awards.
After serving as illustrator for a dozen books, Parra issued his first self-illustrated picture book, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, based on his real-life experience of helping his father with his work as a landscape contractor. The book finds young Juan joining Papi and his assistant Javier on the job for the first time, learning the ins and outs of getting a wild yard into shape. He delights in the chance to sketch baby birds during a break, but he is crestfallen when he encounters a classmate who ignores him while he works. After more jobs around town Juan is still upset, but when he brainstorms a fresh landscaping layout, he devotes himself to sketching it—and a few weeks later the team brings his vision to life. Recalling his dismissive classmate, Juan commits himself to honoring hardworking people like his father through his art and life’s work.
A Kirkus Reviews writer praised Parra’s illustrations as “colorful and sumptuous, with lots of interesting details,” and deemed Growing an Artist a “heartwarming family story that underscores the value of creativity, passion, and hard work.” BookPage reviewer Norah Piehl called Parra’s self-illustrated debut a “love letter to sons and their fathers, to work done with one’s hands and to making the world more beautiful, no matter what tools are used to do so.”
In his work for Gracias/Thanks, Parra captures the events in a young boy’s day as he expresses gratitude for the things both large and small that bring him joy. Cast with a multi-racial family, the book’s “vivid acrylic illustrations have the feel of folk-art woodcuts and whimsically portray … the boy’s world,” according to Booklist contributor Linda Perkins. Mora’s “poetic writing … carries a sense of happiness,” wrote Shannon Dye Gemberling, the School Library Journal contributor adding that Parra’s “brightly colored acrylic illustrations are full of fun details and add depth” to the optimistic read-aloud. “The lines and imperfections” in Parra’s images create “a worn, homey appearance that matches the … old-fashioned feel” of Mora’s story, wrote Horn Book reviewer Jennifer M. Brabander, and a Kirkus Reviews writer dubbed Gracias/Thanks a “graceful celebration” in which the artist’s use of “flat perspectives and bright colors skillfully complement[s] the … voice” of Mora’s young narrator.
Another illustration project, P Is for Piñata: A Mexico Alphabet, features “texutral folk art paintings [that] visually exude Mexico,” according to a Publishers Weekly contributor. Tony Johnston’s text for the book travels from A to Z via highlights of Mexico’s culture and geography, and while Sandra Welzenbach wrote in School Library Journal that English-language readers may require assistance with some Spanish pronunciation, Parra’s “vividly colored illustrations” clearly “reflect Mexico’s traditions and cultures.” The artist’s use of “folk-art elements, sound composition, and imaginative touches” transform P Is for Piñata into what Carolyn Phelan described in Booklist as a “colorful” story-hour trip for imaginative young travelers.
One of the various award-winning titles illustrated by Parra is Waiting for the Biblioburro, by Monica Brown. Some American readers will be familiar with mobile libraries set up inside buses, but in Columbia one can find a biblioburro—a librarian taking books by burro from village to village. A Publishers Weekly reviewer found that Parra’s favored “pinks and turquoise and sky blues … give the book a rough-hewn, handmade quality and an innocent, childlike appeal.” Brown also wrote Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, a tribute to the famous Mexican artist and her loving relationships with her numerous pets. Noting the challenge of illustrating a book honoring a visual artist, Horn Book reviewer Nell Beram declared that Parra “succeeds not by imitating Kahlo’s style but by supporting the upbeat tone … with exquisitely neat compositions in a muted palette.”
Roseanne Greenfield Thong has written several concept books illustrated by Parra, including Round Is a Tortilla and Green Is a Chile Pepper, teaching preschool children about shapes and colors, respectively, using familiar elements of Hispanic culture. A Kirkus Reviews writer hailed “vibrant colors and geometric, folksy art” in the former title, as “intricate spreads offer an abundance of details observant readers will appreciate.” Another effort by the duo, One Is a Piñata, prompted Vivian Alvarez writing in Booklist to affirm that “Parra’s paintings are full of life, matching the text and enhancing the narrative.”
Parra’s illustrations are consistently found to reflect the nature of the topic at hand. In Susan Verde’s Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community, about a child inspiring a neighborhood to cover an imposing blank wall with a beautiful mural, a Kirkus Reviews writer found that Parra’s pictures “chronicle the wall’s evolution until it reflects the neighborhood’s vibrancy back to the people who enliven its revitalized surface.” With Miranda Paul’s Little Libraries, Big Heroes, about the creation of the first Little Free Library, an idea that proved viral, Karen Cruze writing in Booklist observed: “Using lots of earthy colors, Parra depicts people with blocky torsos and emphasizes the square sturdiness of the libraries.” The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne is a book by Lesa Cline-Ransome about an African American woman from Chicago who overcame Depression-era discrimination to gain international renown. A Publishers Weekly reviewer of this title noted that “folk-style portraits by Parra couple maturing images of Payne with historical emblems.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, December 15, 2008, Carolyn Phelan, review of P Is for Piñata: A Mexico Alphabet, p. 42; November 1, 2009, Linda Perkins, review of Gracias/Thanks, p. 35; February 15, 2019, Vivian Alvarez, review of One Is a Piñata, p. 57; August 1, 2019, Karen Cruze, review of Little Libraries, Big Heroes, p. 52.
Horn Book, January-February, 2010, Jennifer M. Brabander, review of Gracias/Thanks, p. 77; March-April, 2018, Nell Beram, review of Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, p. 106.
Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2009, review of Gracias/Thanks; March 1, 2013, review of Round Is a Tortilla; July 1, 2015, review of Marvelous Cornelius; August 1, 2018, review of Hey, Wall: A Story of Art and Community; March 15, 2022, review of Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son.
Publishers Weekly, November 3, 2008, review of P Is for Piñata, p. 58; May 2, 2011, review of Waiting for the Biblioburro, p. 53; November 18, 2019, review of The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne, p. 76.
School Library Journal, February, 2006, Maria Otero-Boisvert, review of My Name Is Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/Me llamo Gabriela: la vida de Gabriela Mistral, p. 126; January, 2009, Sandra Welzenbach, review of P Is for Piñata, p. 92; December, 2009, Shannon Dye Gemberling, review of Gracias/Thanks, p. 103.
ONLINE
Author Village, https://theauthorvillage.com/ (September 15, 2022), “John Parra.”
BookPage, https://www.bookpage.com/ (May 10, 2022), Norah Piehl, review of Growing an Artist.
Grog, https://groggorg.blogspot.com/ (March 2, 2016), Sherri Jones Rivers, “An Interview with Artist John Parra.”
John Parra website, https://johnparraart.com (September 15, 2022).
Juana Martinez Neal website, https://juanamartinezneal.com/ (November 6, 2012), “A Mini-Interview with John Parra.”
Nonfiction Nook, https://thenonfictionnook.com/ (July 11, 2014), “Illustrator Interview: John Parra.”
Pat Mora website, https://www.patmora.com/ (September 15, 2022), “Creativity Salon: An Interview with John Parra.”
Publishers Weekly, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (July 23, 2021), Patricia J. Murphy, “Q&A with John Parra.”
Seven Impossible Things before Breakfast, http://blaine.org/sevenimpossiblethings/ (September 24, 2013), “Seven Questions over Breakfast with John Parra.”*
Artist Biography
artist portrait photo
John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling illustrator, fine artist, designer, author, and educator, celebrated for his vibrant, Latino-themed children's picture books. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has received numerous prestigious accolades, including three Pura Belpré Honors from the American Library Association, two Golden Kite Awards from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, two Christopher Awards, The Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, and the esteemed 2023 Américas Award. His original artwork has also been featured in exhibitions across the United States and internationally, with many pieces held in private collections.
In addition to his artistic achievements, Parra is a passionate educator. He has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California, and frequently serves as a visiting artist at schools and literary conferences, advocating for the power of art and literacy education.
Parra's creative journey began in Southern California, where he was deeply influenced by his Hispanic heritage. The rich visual and cultural traditions of Mexican murals, Latin folk art, Día de Muertos celebrations, Baile folklórico dance costumes, home-cooked meals, and family memories all shaped his distinctive artistic voice. These influences are woven throughout his work, creating illustrations that explore themes of identity, tradition, and imagination.
Among his most celebrated works is Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, which was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book and earned a Pura Belpré Honor for Illustration. It was also recognized as a Smithsonian Best Book of the Year. Other notable titles include Green is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors, written by Roseanne G. Thong, The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne, by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Eloísa’s Musical Window, by Margarita Engle, and Spanish is the Language of My Family, by Michael Genhart, which explores themes of language, culture, and identity. Parra’s author and illustrator debut, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, received widespread acclaim and numerous awards. His highly anticipated NEW picture book, This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, beautifully celebrates themes of mindfulness, the Day of the Dead, family, Latino heritage, and the promises that life holds.
Beyond books, Parra’s illustrations have graced major commercial projects for clients including Target, United Airlines, Hitachi, PBS, and National Geographic. His work has also appeared on six U.S. Forever Postage Stamps titled Delicioso, and his MTA Artcard poster Birdhouse Subways was displayed across the New York City's subway system. In addition, he was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to share his artistic journey and creative process in a special event.
A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, John Parra currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.
Wikipedia: John Parra (illustrator)
CLIENTS:
United States Postal Service, United Airlines, Target, MTA Arts & Design, Jeep/Chrysler, PBS, National Geographic, Hitachi, El Museo del Barrio, L’Attitude Art and The Boston Children’s Hospital, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Chronicle Books, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Holiday House, North/South Books, Macmillan McGraw-Hill, Lee & Low Books, SCBWI, The Children's Book Council, Mpls St. Paul Magazine, Santa Clara Magazine, The L.A. Weekly, Virgin Records, Songline/Tone Field Productions and more.
BIOGRAPHY:
(mini bio)
John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, renowned for his vibrant, culturally rich children’s picture books that celebrate Latino heritage and traditions.
(short bio)
John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, widely recognized for his award-winning, Latino themed children’s picture books and commercial artwork. Passionate about art and literacy, he frequently speaks as a visiting author/artist at schools and literary conferences across the country. John currently resides in Queens, New York.
(medium bio)
John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, and educator, celebrated for his vibrant, Latino-themed children’s picture books. His work on Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos was named one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year. John’s art has also been featured in prominent public projects, including his MTA Artcard Birdhouse Subways, which was displayed across New York City’s subway system, and six U.S. Forever Postage Stamps in the Delicioso series.
A passionate advocate for art and literacy education, John regularly speaks as a visiting artist at schools and literary conferences nationwide. In addition, he was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his career and creative journey.
John’s highly anticipated NEW picture book, This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, beautifully celebrates themes of mindfulness, the Day of the Dead, family, Latino heritage, and the promises that life holds.
John resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.
(long bio)
John Parra is an award-winning, best-selling artist, illustrator, author, designer, and educator renowned for his vibrant, Latino-themed children’s picture books. Throughout his illustrious career, he has earned numerous prestigious honors, including three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors, two Golden Kite Awards from SCBWI, two Christopher’s Awards, and the 2023 Américas Award. His illustrated book Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos was named one of the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year, while his work on Spanish Is the Language of My Family earned six starred reviews and the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award.
John’s highly anticipated NEW picture book, This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, beautifully celebrates themes of mindfulness, the Day of the Dead, family, Latino heritage, and the promises that life holds.
In addition to his contributions to children’s literature, John’s illustrations have appeared in high-profile commercial projects for major clients such as Target, United Airlines, and PBS. His artwork also graced the U.S. Forever Postage Stamp series Delicioso, and his MTA Artcard Birdhouse Subways was showcased throughout New York City’s subway stations.
A passionate educator, John has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California, and regularly speaks at schools and literary conferences nationwide, advocating for the importance of art and literacy education. In addition, he was honored with an invitation to present a special event about his career and artistic journey at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, John currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.
Conversations with John Parra
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Stories & Insights
December 21, 2024
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Today we’d like to introduce you to John Parra
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Southern California and started drawing at a very early age. My father was an amateur artist and one of my early influences and mentors. He would tell us stories and draw for my brothers and I growing up. My mother too was an inspiration. She was an educator who loved books and art. She would take us to the library and museums when I was young. A big part of my art is also inspired by my Latino roots. I love Mexican folk art and retablos, and artists such as Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and José Guadalupe Posada. As I grew creatively, and with the encouragement of teachers and mentors, I applied to Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Developing my tools for the trade I slowly built my career. After 27years as a professional artist, I am grateful to have worked on illustrating many wonderful commercial projects, award-winning picture books, and even U.S. postage stamps.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I always knew the path to being an artist would have challenges, but, being an artist is a journey, not a destination. In the beginning you are just trying to break in and build a client list. This takes time, patience, and most important, resilience. Also, I had to learn much more about the business side and promotional side of the work to become effective. I also wanted to share a voice and ideas that were mine and true to who I was. It is on ongoing process of growth and learning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am best known for my, Latino themed, children’s picture books. A couple project I’m most proud of was my first children’s book I wrote and illustrated called, GROWING AN ARTIST: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son. It is an autobiographical tale about my youth and working for my father. My next author/illustrated picture book coming in July of 2025 is, THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Día de Muertos Story (Day of the Dead). It’s about a single day in a boy’s life that is filled with family, love, and inspiration as he prepares for the Día de Muertos celebration and remembers that all moments are special. I love a creative path to finding ideas in visually express stories and thoughts.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I never felt as if I was the best artist in art school. It’s a competition with yourself. I just wanted to be the best I could be. Also don’t be afraid of failing or not doing things perfectly. Just keep moving forward. Persistence is key and enjoy the work you do.
Contact Info:
Website: https://johnparraart.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnparraart/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JohnParraArt
Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnparraart
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jparra13
Other: https://www.teepublic.com/user/johnparraart
John Parra (illustrator)
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Parra
Parra at the 2018 Gaithersburg Book Festival
Born 1972 (age 52–53)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Alma mater Art Center College of Design
Occupation Illustrator
Awards Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award
Golden Kite Award
Christopher Award
International Latino Book Award
Website johnparraart.com
John Parra (born 1972) is an American illustrator. Parra's books have received awards including the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award, Golden Kite Award, Christopher Award, and an International Latino Book Award. He has additionally worked as an illustrator for corporate marketing campaigns and as an art instructor.
Early life
John Parra was born in 1972 in Santa Barbara, California.[1] He later graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.[2]
Book illustration
Parra received an International Latino Book Award for Best Children's Book Interior Illustrations in 2006 for his first illustrated book My Name is / Me llamo Gabriela.[3] In 2009 his work Gracias / Thanks received a Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award as well as a SCBWI Golden Kite Award.[4] In 2012 his book Waiting for the Biblioburro received a Christopher Award.[5]
In 2015 Parra's book Green Is a Chile Pepper received another Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award.[6] In 2015 his work was also shown in a one-day presentation at the Metropolitan Museum of Art;[7] Parra's works have been shown in both solo and group art exhibitions.[8] The next year he illustrated the children's book Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina and the Spirit of New Orleans, based upon the fall-out of Hurricane Katrina and the real-life story of New Orleans sanitation worker Cornelius Washington, who died in 2008.[9] The book received a Golden Kite Award.[10][11]
In 2017, his illustrated children's book Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos was named to the New York Times/NY Public Library's: Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2017.[12] The book centers on the early years of artist Frida Kahlo and the animals that surrounded her childhood.[13] The book was also received the Barnes & Noble Best Book of 2017 award, was named to the Smithsonian Top Ten Best Children's Books of 2017 list,[14] and received his third Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award.[15] At the 2019 Golden Kite Awards & Gala, Parra presented one of his illustrations from the book We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, which he had based upon a quote from her career.[16]
In 2022, Parra released his picture book biography, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son (available in English and Spanish editions) detailing how he spent his young years working with his father's landscaping company which lead to his love of drawing and illustration.[17]
Parra describes his process of making portraits personal in books. He works primarily in acrylic on board, first applying layers of color over gesso and sanding them to create a worn, textured surface. He then transfers his sketches, masks out shapes with tape, and builds each scene step by step, adding shading and detail as the final touch. Each painting may take up to a week, and a complete picture book typically requires six to eight months.[18]
Teaching
Parra has also provided illustrator's workshops to young artists and high-school students[19] and has served as an instructor at the Carnegie Art Museum.[20]
Other work
In 2017 Parra illustrated for the Delicioso Forever Stamps distributed by the US postal service. Over two years Parra developed six stamps derived from popular dishes originating from Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. Using bright colors, the six foods selected were tamales, flan, empanadas, chile rellenos, ceviche, and sancocho.[21] In 2023, Dot Magazine, the alumni publication of ArtCenter College of Design featured Parra in an article highlighting his creative journey and his illustration of the Latino Food stamps for the United States Postal Service. Parra credited the art college for helping him refine his artistic voice, which draws inspiration from American, Hispanic, and Latino folk art.[22] In summer 2023, the Smithsonian National Postal Museum hosted Parra for programs centered on his stamp designs and illustrations. The sessions highlighted his design process, artistic influences, and exploration of Hispanic heritage, engaging audiences through discussions of creativity and problem solving. .[23] As an illustrator, he has also worked on advertising campaigns for companies including Jeep, United Airlines, PBS, and National Geographic, in addition to film, book, and computer companies.[7]
John Parra on Simple Joys, Special Moments, and Life in Memories
The author-illustrator sits down with Bookstr to talk about his newest picture book and the power of taking pleasure in simple moments.
Cara Broel – July 14th, 2025
Author InterviewsAuthor's CornerDiverse Voices
Author John Parra alongside the cover of his book This Moment is Special.
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Concepts like the ephemeral nature of life and the permanence of death can sound like pretty heavy topics for a children’s book… but what if they’re not? What if, instead, they act as encouragement to appreciate the everyday blessings and moments shared, and a comfort that those who have left us always remain in some way? John Parra’s new picture book, This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story, explores these notions in a story inspired by Día de Muertos. We recently had a chance to sit down with John to discuss his artistic influences and the joy to be found in remembrance.
About John Parra
John Parra is an award-winning illustrator, designer, author, and educator. For his children’s illustration work, he has received three American Library Association Pura Belpré Honors. His books include Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, written by Monica Brown, which earned a New York Times Best Illustrated Book designation; Green Is a Chile Pepper, written by Roseanne Thong, which received the Américas Book Award; Spanish Is the Language of My Family, written by Michael Genhart, which received seven starred reviews and the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award; Hey, Wall, written by Susan Verde; The Power of Her Pen, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome; and his authorial debut Growing an Artist, which was the recipient of the Christopher Award and the Américas Award.
John Parra, a tan-skinned man with short, straight salt-and-pepper hair and brown eyes, wearing a green windbreaker over a blue t-shirt, posing against a patterned background.
IMAGE VIA JOHN PARRA
Thank you so much for joining us, John! Let’s get started.
For those unfamiliar with the traditional celebration of Día de Muertos, would you please briefly explain the holiday and how it ties into This Moment Is Special?
Día de Muertos is a vibrant and meaningful celebration observed throughout Mexico, Latin America, and beyond, where families and friends come together to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. The event, held annually on November 1st and 2nd, carries a festive yet reflective tone, blending joyful remembrance with elements of rich cultural tradition. The imagery is uniquely striking, featuring colorful calaveras (skulls & skeletons) in elaborate costumes, the warm glow of marigold flowers, and home altars called ofrendas that are carefully arranged with old photos and personal mementos to welcome the spirits of the departed.
Book cover of This Moment Is Special: A Día de Muertos Story by John Parra, featuring a child and elder adult with skeleton-like makeup; the child holds and guitar and cradles an orange butterfly while the elder sits in a chair and smiles on.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP
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The celebration also includes traditional foods, drinks, and music, creating an atmosphere of both reverence and festivity. It is a time to cherish the lives of those who have passed and to reflect on the preciousness of life itself and remember how every moment is special.
What inspired you to explore the concepts of life and death this way with young readers, as a meditation on mindfulness and memories?
The idea behind This Moment is Special has been with me for as long as I can remember, emerging from a blend of childhood memories — shared times with family and friends, moments at significant events, or simply being in places that felt uniquely magical. In those instances, I always felt a quiet recognition of how rare and precious they were. They left me with a deep sense of gratitude for the people around me and a lasting reverence for the world I belonged to.
An interior spread from This Moment is Special, featuring a skeleton child greeting their family - consisting of two adults and two children - at a breakfast table.
IMAGE VIA AMAZON
I felt these reflections would resonate deeply when woven into the rich tapestry of Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead celebration that honors and remembers those who have passed and cherishes our loved ones’ legacies. At its heart, the story asks: What is a life, if not a collection of cherished moments and unforgettable memories?
This Moment is Special also serves as a gentle reminder of our power to shape our own lives and the lasting impact we have on others, one meaningful moment at a time.
You’ve said before that your work is deeply influenced by your Hispanic heritage. Other than the overall Día de Muertos theme, was there anything especially personal that you included in the art or story of this book?
Many of the scenes in the book were drawn from some of my most vivid and valued memories — sharing special meals with family, nervously giving a school presentation, or playing guitar with my band in a burst of energy were all personal experiences that I wanted to share.
An interior spread from This Moment is Special, featuring a skeleton child looking nervous as they peek out from behind a red curtain to look at an empty stage with a central microphone and a waiting crowd of skeleton people.
IMAGE VIA AMAZON
As I reflect on life, I find that my favorite moments are often centered around a few, yet deeply meaningful things: family, friends, food, music, travel, nature, laughter, gratitude, and creativity. These simple, but profound experiences have shaped who I am and continue to inspire me in my work.
Last year, there was some discourse on social media about whether ofrendas were a tradition that non-Mexican people should observe. What are your feelings on this?
One of the beautiful aspects I cherish about Mexican and Latino communities is the deep sense of shared culture. Whether it’s through food, music, art, or community events, there’s a welcoming spirit that encourages connection, education, and the celebration of our traditions. We have an open heart to share who we are with those who are genuinely interested in learning. In return, when respect is shown by those seeking to understand, it creates a space where I believe everyone can participate and honor our culture.
You mention on your website that one of your other passions is education, and you love visiting schools to advocate for literacy and the arts. Do you have a favorite memory or interaction with a student or young fan?
While most of my school visits are to younger students, one particular high school presentation and workshop I did in Virginia a few years ago has stayed with me. A wonderful librarian organized a group of high school volunteers — some passionate about writing, others about drawing, with about half of them recently arrived from El Salvador. The program brought us together to guide and help the students create their own children’s book stories. Every single one of them worked incredibly hard, and we were amazed by the thoughtful and beautiful stories they shared, many with themes of migration. Their stories and artwork were scanned and uploaded, then bound into books.
Four months later, we returned to the school for a special presentation when the books were ready. You could see how proud both the students and their parents were of what they had achieved. The project even earned recognition in the Washington Post.
At the event, a mother and her daughter approached me with something deeply moving to say. The mother shared that when her daughter first came to this country, she saw herself only as an immigrant. But after the workshop, she now saw herself as a writer. With tears in our eyes, we exchanged heartfelt thanks. It was one of the greatest compliments I have ever received, and I will be forever grateful for that moment.
What advice would you have for authors and illustrators trying to make a career in publishing, especially those from marginalized communities?
This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes by comedian and actor Steve Martin: “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” When you dedicate the time and effort to craft an exceptional portfolio or create a series of outstanding manuscripts, the next steps become much easier. I often encourage emerging authors and illustrators to study the work of those they admire and ask themselves if they see their own creations standing alongside them.
An interior spread from This Moment is Special, featuring a smiling skeleton child sitting on the floor of a room with toys and books, gazing up out a window at a crescent moon in a night sky.
IMAGE VIA AMAZON
It’s important to ensure that your work has focus, a clear voice, and reflects what is uniquely yours — what you care about, what you like, and what inspires you. Bringing stories from your own community is an excellent way to establish that distinctive voice, connecting through art and narratives that resonate with our shared humanity. It’s this individuality, this special quality, that editors and art directors are actively seeking. It’s what makes you stand out and what they want to invest in.
We always love to ask children’s authors about their favorite reads from childhood. Is there a book or series that you particularly enjoyed as a young reader?
Book cover of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, featuring two light-skinned children with long, dark hair in braids dance with a flower garland around a rearing male lion in the countryside.
IMAGE VIA BOOKSHOP
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My mom was a schoolteacher for over 35 years, and her love for books was contagious. She often read to my brothers and me when we were young, and one of my favorite stories was The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. I could vividly imagine myself stepping into the world of Narnia, living the adventures alongside its characters. When I discovered it was just one book in a series, I eagerly went to my local library to devour the rest. I was captivated by the tales of adventure and magic, and the powerful themes of bravery, friendship, love, and loyalty. With characters of my age facing incredible challenges, I felt deeply connected to their anthology of journeys.
Lastly, in honor of This Moment Is Special, what is one of your favorite “quiet moments” that makes you stop and appreciate life?
A night sky full of stars, with several trees silhouetted against the starlight.
IMAGE VIA CANVA
A quiet moment that always fills me with awe and gratitude is when I look up at the night sky and see the stars and constellations. In that stillness, I feel both incredibly small and profoundly alive.
A massive thank you to John for taking the time to share his work and insights with us! Be sure to find him online at JohnParraArt.com and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. And, of course, don’t forget to preorder This Moment Is Special and add it to your family’s reading list!
Genhart, Michael SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY FAMILY Neal Porter/Holiday House (Children's None) $18.99 7, 11 ISBN: 9780823450046
To prepare for the school Spelling Bee en Español, a young Latine boy gets a much-needed boost from his cherished Abuela.
Manolo seems prepared for the bee, as there are many words he can already spell: "F-a-m-i-l-i-a." "J-u-n-t-o-s." "C-o-r-a-z-ó-n." Still, the lista de palabras includes words that Manolo doesn't know how to spell, so Abuela helps him. During their lessons together, she shares stories from her childhood, when the "rule at school was 'English only.' " Speaking Spanish--even in secret on the playground--resulted in punishments for the students, including being sent home, paddled, or having their mouth washed out with soap. Spurred by Abuela's stories of the recent hurtful past, Manolo throws himself into practice even when frustrations set in. "Tengo fuerza." On the day of the spelling bee, Manolo stands tall on stage thanks to Abuela's strength. A measured reckoning with an oft-overlooked period in U.S. history, Genhart and Parra's poignant collaboration explores the echoes of generational trauma and the power of societal change and hope. An author's note explains that Genhart drew from the 1930s through the 1960s, including his mother's experiences in Southern California. The closeness between Manolo and Abuela adds a layer of warmth to this poignant tale, making this spelling bee journey an eventual resonant triumph. The splendid, textured acrylic-based artwork is rich and vibrant; an especially inspired spread sees a determined Manolo scaling the word practico. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Tenderly tremendous. (references, Spanish alphabet) (Picture book. 4-8)
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"Genhart, Michael: SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY FAMILY." Kirkus Reviews, 15 May 2023. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A748974127/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e2f53e6a. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Engle, Margarita ELOÍSA'S MUSICAL WINDOW Atheneum (Children's None) $18.99 8, 27 ISBN: 9781665935289
A child hears music in every sound, however ordinary.
Eloísa loves music, but her family can't afford a radio. So she sits by the window, "listening to la música that floated in from a neighbor's house." Other sounds surround Eloísa. Parrots and doves share "nature's gentle serenades," cats and dogs meow and bark, el lechero's cow clip-clops, and a boy on a horse tap-taps past the window as she and her brother, Pepe, watch. It's enough to make Eloísa run outside and dance--but she's too shy. Outgoing Mamá would be dancing, but alas, she's sick in bed with a fever; Papá goes in search of medicine. One sunny day, the neighborhood children gather near Eloísa's window, maracas, claves, drums, and more in hand to create música. Heartened by the festive sounds, a recuperated Mamá rises from bed, aided by Eloísa, Papá, and Pepe, as music beckons from the street. Drawing from her mother's childhood stories, Engle tells a tale of everyday inspiration, propelled by a lilting text that reverberates. Parra's acrylic paint artwork uses warm colors and earth-toned landscapes to depict a Cuban neighborhood brimming with smiling, brown-skinned faces. An appended catalog succinctly traces the origins of Cuban musical instruments.
A harmonious triumph. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
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"Engle, Margarita: ELOISA'S MUSICAL WINDOW." Kirkus Reviews, 1 June 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A795673948/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=96a427cc. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Parra, John THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster (Children's None) $19.99 7, 15 ISBN: 9781665948241
A boy celebrates the moments that make up a day during Día de los Muertos.
Under the light of a crescent moon, the child sits in the quiet of the early hours. Ghostly white paint covers his brown face and hands, an echo of a calavera. "Today holds a special promise.Una promesa especial." He and his family eat tamales, avocados, and eggs for breakfast. Then, it's a mad dash to catch the bus--with its "Oaxaca" sign on top--to school, where history, geography, science, and art all spark his imagination. He's filled with awe as he runs back to town amid a storm. His friends are waiting. "They like me for me. I like them for them.Nos apreciamos." And so it goes in this tender tale that embraces life's small and monumental moments alike--a sweet reinforcement of the holiday's emphasis on family, memories, and love. With a steady tone and pace, Parra measures the boy's day from heartbeat to heartbeat, word to word. Reading a book, cultivating a garden, jamming with the band--each moment builds to the next until it's time for his visiting Abuela to say goodbye. Later, everyone comes together to celebrate and honor loved ones, carrying photographs in their hands and smiles on their bone-white and rich brown faces. The graceful acrylic artwork overall favors movement and muted colors to great effect.
Strikingly affectionate. (author's note)(Picture book. 4-8)
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"Parra, John: THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL." Kirkus Reviews, 1 May 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A837325619/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=bbabade0. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Dia de los Muertos
PAST AND PRESENT MINGLE IN TWO PICTURE BOOKS
This Moment Is Special: A Dia de Muertos Story (Day of the Dead)
John Parra. S&S/Wiseman, $19.99 (40p)
ISBN 978-1-6659-4824-1
*| Parra celebrates the ephemeral in this comforting observance of Dia de los Muertos. The artist's signature-style acrylic on board illustrations open with a child, hands and face painted like a calaca, sitting in soft moonlight before dawn: "Today holds a special promise. Una promesa especial'' As the day starts, the youth joins family for a tamale, avocado, and egg breakfast; hurries to school on a bus that reads Oaxaca; studies and adds to a painted portrait of Abuela; and, back at home, plays with friends, reads, and more. Finally, the full day leads to a marigoldfestooned gathering where individuals, portrayed with white-painted or brown skin, interact, some holding images of loved ones. Each spread makes the most of the moment, reflecting in English and italicized Spanish on every occurrence and the child's perception of it, and aptly underlining themes of intergenerational connection, mindfulness, and remembrance: "I am here now, for all of life's special moments./I carry love in my heart, and/I remember./ Yo recuerdo'' An author's note concludes. Ages 4-8. (July)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 PWxyz, LLC
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"This Moment Is Special: A Dia de Muertos Story (Day of the Dead)." Publishers Weekly, vol. 272, no. 23, 9 June 2025, p. 59. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A844233688/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=2dc5a820. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.