30 Profiles in 30 Days from the LGBT World: Todd Parr

Todd Parr is an American author of children’s books.  His website’s bio page states, “Hi.  I’m Todd.  I live near San Francisco.  I grew up in Wyoming.  I like to paint but failed art class.  I got my big break when a famous restaurant showed my work.  Now I create books for kids and have a TV show called Todd World.  My books talk about love, kindness and are sometimes just silly.  Love, Todd.” 

Parr summed it up pretty well, but there is much more to the story.  Parr was born in 1962 in Rock Springs, Wyoming.  His mother died when he was only sixteen and his football coach father was confused, not only by Parr being gay, but by the fact that his son was creative.  He does credit his supportive family for always encouraging him.  He worked for awhile as an airline flight attendant and never dreamed of being a children’s book author. 

While struggling to make it as an artist, Parr scored big when an agent from Little Brown saw some of his artwork hanging at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco.  His career as an author began.  His books are full of bold, primary colors and he believes that "less is more".  His drawings are childlike and simple, and kids love them.  From his first book published in 1998, Parr always depicts many different scenarios for families and lifestyles.  He does not preach; he just demonstrates the need for acceptance of everyone.  With over 30 books and more on the way, Parr reaches every child and creates books where families of all kinds can feel accepted and celebrated.  In The Mommy Book, characters include mommies who drive motorcycles and mommies who work in big buildings.  His books show disabilities, step-families, adoption, and gays and lesbians, done perfectly for a child’s point of view.  The text might say, “It’s okay to have different moms.”  Or “It’s okay to have a different nose.” 

Of course, there has been some controversy.  This summer, the Washington, DC school district’s summer reading list was in danger of being censored after school officials asked the local public library for a list of LGBT-themed books.  Once on the list, books, including Todd Parr’s The Family Book, were at first removed.  Eventually, all nine titles were returned to the reading list.  Challenged books are titles that are the subjects of formal requests for removal. Challenged books are tracked by the American Library Association, which publishes a list every year.  One listing of challenged books has Parr’s book listed under the heading “Remove ‘public library smut’ from children’s department”.  Banned Books Week takes place September 26-October 3, 2009.  Check with your local library about their participation. 

Parr also partners with companies to make a difference in the lives of children.  He has written special edition books for St. Jude’s Hospital, a Portuguese center for kids with disabilities, and in celebration of the Beijing Olympics, he partnered with Hilton Hotels to release, be hospitable: A World United Edition, which “ includes messages of teamwork, graciousness and multiculturalism and teaches kids to accept others differences.”  A portion of the book's proceeds benefited the U.S. Paralympic Team. 

Parr also donates his time and a portion of some book sales to other organizations and causes.  Part of the proceeds of The Peace Book go to UNICEF, and he is involved with other groups, like Books for Kids, Reach out and Read, and Yum-O. 

His book, It’s Okay to be Different was chosen by Barnes and Noble to be part of the “Close the Book on Hate” Campaign, and won the 2001 National Parenting Publications Award (NAPPA) and Winner of the Los Angeles 100 Best Books of 2001. 

ToddWorld is an Emmy nominated children’s program, using Parr’s animation for 10 minute episodes, that teaches kids about acceptance and diversity.  It airs on TLC and Discovery Kids.  In addition to having just signed a 2 year deal with a British publishing company for Parr's work to be included in its magazine, Parr also has products that include soft play toys, DVD’s and card sets. 

You can visit Todd Parr’s website for information about his work as an author, or his personal homepage to see what else he has going on.  Parr’s books can be purchased at Amazon. 

To see more profiles, go to the Galveston/Houston Examiner homepage.