Press Kit

BIOGRAPHY:
(mini bio)
John Parra is a best-selling, award-winning 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 a best-selling, award-winning 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 artist at schools and literary conferences across the country. John currently resides in Queens, New York.

(medium bio)
John Parra is a best-selling, award-winning artist, illustrator, author, and educator, renowned for his vibrant, Latino-themed children's picture books. His illustrated work on Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. His art has also been featured in major public projects, including the Birdhouse Subways MTA Artcard, displayed throughout New York City’s subway system, and six U.S. Forever Postage Stamps in the Delicioso series.
An advocate for art and literacy education, John regularly speaks as a visiting artist at schools and literary conferences nationwide. He was also invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his career and creative journey. His debut book as both author and illustrator, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, has received widespread acclaim and numerous starred reviews.
John lives in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.

(long bio)
John Parra is a best-selling, award-winning artist, illustrator, author, designer, and educator, celebrated for his vibrant, Latino-themed children’s picture books. Over the course of his career, he has garnered numerous accolades, 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 debut as both author and illustrator, Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, has earned widespread praise. His recent book, Spanish Is the Language of My Family, has received six starred reviews and multiple accolades.
Beyond his work in children's literature, John’s illustrations have graced commercial projects for major clients like Target, United Airlines, and PBS. His designs also appeared on the U.S. Forever Postage Stamp series Delicioso, and his Birdhouse Subways Artcard was featured throughout New York City’s subway stations. John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to present a special event about his career and artistic journey.
As an educator, John has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California, and frequently speaks at schools and literary conferences across the country, championing the importance of art and literacy education. A graduate of Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California, John currently resides in Queens, New York, with his wife, Maria.