THE ART AND ILLUSTRATION OF JOHN PARRA

Blog: News & Updates

9/17/20

By John Parra / September 16, 2020 / Comments Off on 9/17/20

Art News!

I am thrilled to be participating in a group art exhibition titled: Anthology: Elly MacKay, John Parra, LeUyen Pham, and Victoria Kann, taking place at the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts, in Longwood, VA.  Anthology  highlights over 25 new, and recent favorites, pieces from four talented and respected children’s book illustrators and authors. In partnership with the Virginia Children’s Book Festival this exhibition features themes of belonging, community, and friendship.  On view 18 September — 3 January 2021.

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8/21/20

By John Parra / August 21, 2020 / Comments Off on 8/21/20

It was a pleasure to be interview by the wonderful and talented author Ruth Behar about illustrating the cover of her new book: LETTERS FROM CUBA, coming out Aug 25. Attached are some initial sketches and ideas for book. Read all about the process HERE

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7/16/20

By John Parra / July 16, 2020 / Comments Off on 7/16/20

Big News! The Wisconsin Center for the Book has selected LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES to represent their home state at the 2020 Library of Congress, National Book Festival. The event is normally held in Washington, DC but will go virtual this Sept. 25-27. This honor belongs with some incredibly talented individuals. First and foremost, author Miranda Paul, for her superb story, Lynne Polvino at HMH/Clarion, Tony Bol, Margret Aldrich, and the late Todd Bol, founder of Little Free Libraries. A special thanks to all the LFL Stewards who have been providing free book access to kids and adults in their communities. I’m grateful to have illustrated such a special book.

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4/9/20

By John Parra / April 9, 2020 / Comments Off on 4/9/20

Join in the celebration with Every Child A Reader’s #BookWeek2020

As an annual tradition of Children’s Book Week, esteemed children’s book illustrators are chosen to create bookmarks which celebrate children’s books and reading. This year, in keeping with the theme of Read. Dream. Share., seven artists have contributed their beautiful and inspiring artwork. These six new 2020 bookmarks created by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, the Fan Brothers, John Parra, Michaela Goade, Sydney Smith, Duncan Tonatiuh, are available to print and distribute to children, teens, and book lovers everywhere! https://bit.ly/3aX6UiS

BONUS: Download this gorgeous 2020 Children’s Book Week poster designed by Carin Berger!

Read all about it in Publisher’s Weekly

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3/11/20

By John Parra / March 11, 2020 / Comments Off on 3/11/20

Wanting to share some good news: Little Free Library celebrates the 100,000th book-sharing box now unveiled at AAMA headquarters in Houston, TX! I am honored to have the library feature artwork from my book: LITTLE LIBRARIES, BIG HEROES written by Miranda Paul. As part of the celebration be sure to sign up for the LFL 100-library giveaway for sites that serve children!

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2/21/20

By John Parra / February 21, 2020 / Comments Off on 2/21/20

I’m very proud and grateful to share this news… Publishers Weekly: Rights Report: Week of February 17, 2020. Sylvie Frank at S&S/Paula Wiseman has acquired, on exclusive submission, New York Times Best Illustrated Award winner John Parra’s untitled picture book debut as author-illustrator. Inspired by Parra’s childhood, it follows a boy as he accompanies his father, a landscape contractor, through his day on the job. Publication is scheduled for summer 2022. Adriana Dominguez and Stefanie Von Borstel at Full Circle Literary represented Parra in the deal for world rights.

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2/12/20

By John Parra / February 12, 2020 / Comments Off on 2/12/20

Look for award-winning author Ruth Behar’s new middle-grade novel, LETTERS FROM CUBA coming this August on Penguin Random House. I’m so honored to have contributed the cover art illustration for this amazing and important book. To learn more about this story’s inspirational roots and the author’s family history and background, read Behar’s poignant article now posted at The Nerdy Book Club.

Letters From Cuba, by Ruth Behar
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1/14/20

By John Parra / January 14, 2020 / Comments Off on 1/14/20

Super proud to announce a BIG Happy Book Birthday for: The Power of Her Pen: The Story of Groundbreaking Journalist Ethel Payne, from renowned author Lesa Cline-Ransome and celebrated illustrator John Parra, that shares the inspiring story of Ethel Payne, a pioneering African American journalist known as the First Lady of the Black Press. Published by: Paula Wiseman Books/Simon & Schuster https://johnparraart.com/books/the-power-of-her-pen/

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1/10/20

By John Parra / January 10, 2020 / Comments Off on 1/10/20

In conjunction with The Brooklyn Public Library, I’m proud to announce my NEW art exhibition ¡Mil Gracias!: The Art and Illustration of John Parra, starting Sat. Jan. 11th through Apr. 13th at The Bklyn Central Library/Youth Wing:, The exhibit features over forty select original works from my picture book career, celebrating stories, important heroes, and Latino culture. Location: 10 Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn, NY.

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12/27/19

By John Parra / December 27, 2019 / Comments Off on 12/27/19

Wishing you all the joy, hope and wonder of the holidays!

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