Press Kit

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.