Kids are like little sponges. They learn and grow by observing their parents and absorbing everything they hear and see around them.
An artistic child learns about the wonders of nature and growing things, while observing his father, who works as a landscaper. That curious youngster would become an award-winning author and artist, best known for his beautifully illustrated, Latino-themed, children’s picture books.
Jamaica-based creative John Parra, was that little boy. These days, the talented, young grandfather has been celebrating with friends and family, after winning a second Christopher Award for his recently released book “Growing an Artist: The Story of a Landscaper and His Son” (Simon & Schuster, ages 4 to 8) – his first as author and illustrator. Parra won his first Christopher Award in 2012 for illustrating “Biblioburro,” by Monica Brown.
His other titles include: “Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos,” “Hey Wall: A Story of Art and Community,” “Waiting for the Biblioburro,” and “Green is a Chile Pepper.”
“Winning a Christopher Award is incredible. I am honored that I have won this distinction twice,” Parra said, adding, “I love the motto written on the award — ‘It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness’ — and deeply connect with this and its connection to my purpose in art.”
These special awards celebrate authors and illustrators, as well as writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” A heartwarming family story, “Growing an Artist” is one of 12 books for adults and young people, as the Christopher Awards program marks its 74th year.
Described as a love letter from sons to their fathers, the story follows Juanito and his landscaper father from house to house, where Papi prunes, weeds, mows, and transforms overgrown yards into beautiful spaces. Meanwhile, with his sketchbook in hand, Juanito draws anything that catches his…
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