THE ART AND ILLUSTRATION OF JOHN PARRA
Blog: News & Updates
Art News!
New book cover reveal!! It’s an honor to share my upcoming book, SPANISH IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY FAMILY, written by the wonderful & talented Michael Genhart, published by Neal Porter at Holiday House Books for Young People, releasing July 11 & available both in English and Spanish for pre-order. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722022/spanish-is-the-language-of-my-family-by-michael-genhart-illustrated-by-john-parra/

Art News!
I know this is super early…but…I am so excited to finally share my John Parra Holiday Wondershop Line with Target stores. There are artist designed gift boxes, holiday bags, greeting cards, tree ornament, and gift wraps. You can order online now and/or collect them in stores this November/December!
Gift Boxes: https://tinyurl.com/yc7vtkbb
Holiday Bags: https://tinyurl.com/55cz86wf
Greeting Cards: https://tinyurl.com/yc5nu5tz
Tree Ornament: https://tinyurl.com/yc4dk2ph
Gift Wraps: https://tinyurl.com/yckstw5k











Art News!
Thrilled to receive a Starred Review from Kirkus for my upcoming author-illustrator debut, GROWING AN ARTIST: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, picture book. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/…/john…/growing-an-artist/

Coming May 3rd from Simon and Schuster. Preorder at: https://www.simonandschuster.com/…/John…/9781534469273SimonKIDSSimon & SchusterKirkus Reviews
Read MoreArt News!
A holiday gift, unwrapping F&Gs for my forthcoming book: GROWING AN ARTIST: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son. Written and Illustrated by: John Parra, Publisher: Simon & Schuster, Coming: May 2022
Art News!
Today I am thrilled to share the cover reveal for my upcoming book: GROWING AN ARTIST: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son, along with a wonderful interview in Publisher’s Weekly written by Patricia J. Murphy. GROWING AN ARTIST marks my first as both author & illustrator, in a story that celebrates the bond between a father and son and the profound link between nature and art. Coming May 2022.

Art News!
We are NOT the MET Illustration Auction
Today is the final day to bid on many wonderful original art pieces, created by top children’s book illustrators, including: Sophie Blackall, Mike Curato, Nick Bruel, Corinna Luyken, Jay Cooper, Lulu Delacre, Raul Gonzalez, and more. It is an honored to have been included with my work titled: Calaveras Couple / Dia de Muertos. All proceeds go to: We are NOT the MET illustration auction to benefit the Virginia Children’s Book Festival. Last bid ends at 10pm tonight! https://bit.ly/36Gmb7m
Art News!
MTA ART CARD 2021
If you find yourself riding the rails of the NYC Subway you might spot a few NEW MTA Artcards. The MTA Arts & Design annually commissions three artists to create these elongated posters to showcase in subway lines for an entire year.I am happy to share with you “Birdhouse Subways” as one of this year’s prints. The image captures New York’s style, quirkiness, energy, and fun, from a bird’s eye view. These feathered friends move about the city to the tune of their own birdsong, making themselves at home in and around the subway. Look for fellow Artcard artists: Vanessa Brantley-Newton and Cleonique Hilsaca, and their awesome artwork. Artcard prints available at the New York Transit Museum Store.

Art News!
Hello young artists and young artists at heart. Join me and New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art #MetKids as we examine Making Portraits Personal, profiling the work behind my illustrated and award-winning children’s picture book, Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos, by author Monica Brown. Create your own self-portrait inspired art and send it to metkids@metmuseum.org for a chance to be featured on the Met Museum site. Happy drawing!
Art News!
Honored to have been selected for a 2021 Award of Excellence from Communication Arts Annual 62. With over 4K illustration entries and 128 winners were picked, including my work on the picture book, THE POWER OF HER PEN, written by Lesa Cline-Ransome and published by Simon & Schuster. Thank you CA judges! https://www.commarts.com/project/32740/the-power-of-her-pen SimonKIDS
Art News!
I am thrilled to be included in the NY Society Of Illustrators: Original Art Show, for my work on: The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel L. Payne. Thanks to the jury and congratulations to all the amazing picture book artists and illustrators! The show runs Oct.28 – Dec. 30, 2020. Visit the Society’s website here: https://bit.ly/35s88Rv