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Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party: Day 6

10/10/2015

4 Comments

 
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015

Day 6
Angie Arnett: A Most-Marvelous Librarian

PictureSwenke Elementary Book Trailer Crew! Front: Kameron, Elena T., Ashleigh, Erin, Jordan; Back: Mattie, Mrs. Arnett, Elena B., Macee
As an elementary school librarian, why would you recommend Marvelous Cornelius?  
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​To start with, we love anything that Phil Bildner writes! Second, I am always looking for good mentor texts to use to teach with, especially ones about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Cornelius was a real person, and although Phil may have exaggerated parts of what he did, Cornelius Washington symbolized everything that New Orleans is. And what a great story…a story to celebrate the revival of this city and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago. 

 
What made you want to create a book trailer for Marvelous Cornelius?

Phil Bildner has been visiting my school for several years now, and we have become great friends. I was honored when he asked me if I wanted to get a small group of students together to work on a book trailer for his newest book. And after I read the story, I fell in love with this garbage collector and how he lived his life. I loved everything he represented. I couldn’t wait to share it with my students!!!

 
Tell us about the process of creating the book trailer.

All my 4th graders could apply to be a member of the Book Trailer Team. After reading through 60+ applications, I chose the top eight that really wanted to be a part of this. Once I had my team, we met once a week during lunch/recess for several weeks. We read the story first, “Facetimed” with Phil, and brainstormed which images we would use from the book. Phil worked with them to pick out their favorite images, narrow it down to just 4-5 important images, and develop a script. Then I sat down with them and we discussed some different ways we could put the book trailer together. We agreed Adobe Voice was the easiest tool. We recorded their voices, added the images, and VOILA…a fabulous book trailer for a fabulous book!   
 
How did the kids enjoy being part of the process?

They loved it!! They were excited to be a part of something that no one had ever done. They were honored to be one of the first people to see a book before it was even published. But they were the MOST thrilled to create something for an author that they know and love. They took great ownership in this project and showed great teamwork.  
 
How did the Book Trailer Crew of fourth graders respond when they saw their trailer posted on the websites of Chronicle Books and on that of the author, Phil Bildner? How did it make you feel?

When they first saw the book trailer posted, they were so overjoyed, they couldn’t stop smiling and grinning. I sent the link to their parents and I received such positive feedback from them as well.  It’s not every day that you get to be involved in something so extraordinary. I am so proud of the effort these kiddos put into the process of creating this book trailer…I think it’s one of the highlights of my entire librarian career! And I got to do it for one of my good friends and favorite authors in the whole world!

Angie Arnett has been the school librarian at Swenke Elementary in Cypress, Texas since it opened in 2009. She graduated from Cy-Fair High School in 1994, and then went to Texas A&M University, where she graduated with a degree in Elementary Education. She taught 3rd grade at Holmsley Elementary for many years, and loved teaching, but decided to go back to college to earn a Master's degree in Library Science from Sam Houston State University. That was 10 years ago! She and her husband, T.J., enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, and taking their boat out on the lake. As you can imagine, Angela LOVES books. She LOVES reading. And she LOVES, LOVES, LOVES being a school librarian! ​
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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is a picture-book biography told in an American tall-tale style that is written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, August 4, 2015. Illustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Please visit ChronicleBooks.com online.

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Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party!! Day 5

10/9/2015

1 Comment

 
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015

Day 5
Ryan Hayes: A Most-Marvelous Art Director

PicturePhoto Credit: Marcie Lynn Photography
As you were reading the text for Marvelous Cornelius for the first time, what creative light bulbs went off in your imagination?

When Melissa brought in Phil’s submission, titled Trashcan Wizard at the time, I remember being taken aback by the liveliness of Phil’s depiction of Cornelius. It was clear that Cornelius had an extremely vivid personality. Despite his very humble and blue-collar line of work, he brought the energy and passion you would expect from a Broadway performer! In particular, his HOOTIE HOO’s or RAT-A-TAT-TAT’s seemed to be begging to be large, colorful, and hand-lettered (which John did!). Add to that the already colorful backdrop of New Orleans, and you have such an incredible visual bank to withdraw from. 

​Another very unique aspect of this text to both Melissa and I was how it felt and read like the famous tall tales of American literature. Marvelous Cornelius seemed larger than life. And so we set out to capture that visually.

When it came to choosing an illustrator for this text, what style or voice were you looking for?

When thinking about that folklore / tall tale angle that Melissa and I were hoping to find, we wanted an illustrator whose style would match that. So, someone who had a folk art motif but could still handle full scenes (in particular, many people and buildings) was paramount in our art selection process. Also, because of the grave nature of Katrina, it was important that there was a sincerity and reverence to the tone of the artwork.

How did John Parra's work come to your attention and how did his style fit your vision for this project?

Luckily for us, Melissa had worked with John Parra on a few other picture books, and she immediately suggested that he illustrate the book. After looking up his work, and hearing “John is a dream to work with” from one of our other Children’s Designers, it was an easy “Yes.”

How did you and John work together to create the narrative flow of this marvelous picture-book biography?

John was extremely touched by Phil’s story, and made it apparent in the early-going that he had a very clear vision for the story. Since John was a familiar artist to us, we entrusted him with a simple layout of the text and the freedom to sketch and bring Cornelius to life as he envisioned him.

When we received that first round of sketches, Melissa and I were blown away. Naturally, first sketches are never perfect, so she and I worked together with John on adjustments to help the pacing of the story from page to page. By that, I mean we encouraged John to vary the scale / perspective on each page to help create a contrast from spread to spread. But more importantly, those changes in scale and perspective can create emphasis at pivotal moments of the story. For instance, the moment when Cornelius rises up after feeling defeated by the destruction of Katrina, John shifted the perspective to zoom in on Cornelius. This cued the reader to the shift that was happening both in the story and in our protagonist.

When picture books touch on tragic events like Hurricane Katrina, why do you think the illustrations should, in the end, offer kids hope, as they did in Marvelous Cornelius?

Tragic events are a harsh reminder of reality, and picture books on the whole tend to live far beyond that reality. So when picture books address these events head-on, it can be jarring for a child.

But what’s amazing about children is that they have this intrinsic ability (read: superpower) to find hope, wonder, and possibility in almost everything they encounter. Offering that hope in the illustrations reaffirms and strengthens those feelings, which is incredibly important to maintain. At some point, as we grow up, we begin to focus way more on the reality of life and that superpower dissipates. So, in that way, it feels just as important to offer that hope to the parent / teacher / adult who is reading the book to a child or children. Maybe it will rekindle that superpower.


Ryan Hayes is a Senior Designer at Chronicle Books. Long story short, what started as drawing super heroes and video game characters with Crayolas soon turned into designing books and hand-lettered type with Chronicle Books. Ryan is a single-speed cyclist, an avid gastronomist, and an eternal optimist. A Philadelphia expat, he prefers hoagies over cheesesteaks, admires grit over talent, and is still waiting on his call to play second base for the Phillies. 

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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is a picture-book biography told in an American tall-tale style. It is written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, August 4, 2015. Illustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Please visit ChronicleBooks online.

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Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party!! Day 4

10/8/2015

3 Comments

 
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books 2015

Day 4
Melissa Manlove: A Most-Marvelous Editor

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What was your emotional response when you first read the text for Marvelous Cornelius?

It spoke to me very strongly—Cornelius’ courage, his humility, his generosity of spirit are all qualities that deserve to be celebrated as heroic. Our culture forgets, sometimes, that selfless service is heroic even when the spotlight does not find the hero—but it is!
 
Tell us about your Marvelous Cornelius pitch during the acquisition meeting. How did it go over?
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I told my acquisitions group that I felt this was an unusual spin on a Katrina story, and that I loved that it focuses on the difference even the humblest of us can make to the people around us—but mostly I let the manuscript speak for itself. The people at Chronicle were moved by this story, and I knew it would move others.
 
What did you enjoy about working with John Parra and Phil Bildner in creating this marvelous picture book?

So much! John and Phil are two of the kindest, hardest-working people I know, and the fact that they’re so talented as well…it’s a gift to be able to make books with them. They were both very thoughtful and very engaged in the publishing process, and full of enthusiasm for the book we were making.
 
How would you describe the theme of Marvelous Cornelius? Did you act as a musical conductor, so to speak, to ensure that theme shined through on each page?

Heroism isn’t about power or breadth of impact, though it’s often mistaken for those things. I think Marvelous Cornelius is about the idea that heroism is essentially about humanity—and anyone who gives from that compassionate place inside them is a hero. Phil and John got that without needing any help from me. I pointed out to Phil that he had instinctually told the story in a way that channels the folk-hero storytelling tradition, and with that understanding we tweaked a few things to make the text more completely what Phil wanted it to be.
 
Why do you think picture-book biographies that highlight humble people like Cornelius Washington, people who do heroic things without accolades are important for children to read about?
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Everyone feels small at some point in their lives--feels like they are no match for the problems before them. A book like this is a reminder that if we simply try, and start from the part of ourselves that is most generous, even the humblest efforts can become great.

​Melissa Manlove is an Editor at Chronicle Books in San Francisco. She has been an editor for 11 years, and a children’s bookseller for 17 years. She is an SCBWI member that can be found Tweeting @mmanlove. 
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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is a picture-book biography told in an American tall-tale style. It is written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, August 4, 2015. Ilustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Please visit Chronicle Books online.

3 Comments

Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party!! Day 3

10/7/2015

1 Comment

 
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015

Day 3
Erin Murphy: A Most-Marvelous Kidlit Agent

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How did Phil Bildner's manuscript find its way to you?

Phil first reached out to me in late 2010, on referral from my client Chris Barton, and we signed together in early 2011. What was then called THE TRASHCAN WIZARD was one of the manuscripts he sent when he queried me. 

​What did you love about the manuscript--the writing, the main character, the narrative, the voice, the setting?


I loved the setting and learning about the real person the story focuses on, but in those days, the writing was quite different and the text quite long (about 1500 words), and it included a lot of stuff at the beginning about Cornelius as a child before we got to the part where he was the Trashcan Wizard. One of the things Phil and I worked on together early on was pushing his nonfiction, in general, to reflect more of his exuberant, dramatic personal voice, and to read more like story and less like reporting. The nonfiction market was changing in this direction at the time, and we’re seeing the full fruit of that in the dynamic nonfiction picture books hitting shelves now, for sure!

Phil and I focused on other projects for a stretch, and then in early 2012, he wrote to me that while visiting with the author-illustrator LeUyen Pham, they’d talked about this manuscript (which she’d seen in early draft), and she suggested taking it in a direction inspired by SONG AND DANCE MAN by Karen Ackerman (illustrated by Stephen Gammell). “The lightbulb went on,” Phil said. With that “fresh lens,” as he put it, he focused, revised, and gave it more rhythm and dance, and sent me a version that was closer to 600 words. When I read it, I knew he’d had a huge breakthrough. The writing just sparkled, and that’s my favorite part about this book now, that great tall-tale voice, the way the story sings.

​Why did you choose to submit this manuscript to Melissa Manlove at Chronicle Books and why were you pleased she acquired it? 

As Phil and I began working together, I reached out to many editors he knew from previous books and from publishing networking, in addition to introducing him to new ones. This submission was a little of both: He knew Ginee Seo, who had moved to Chronicle, and I sent it to her. Ginee suggested Melissa would be a perfect match for it, and it happened at the same time I was in the process of beginning to correspond and chat with Melissa, just getting to know her and her list and sending submissions her way. I sold Melissa Deborah Underwood’s INTERSTELLAR CINDERELLA about a month before she took Phil’s manuscript to an acquisitions meeting, and soon I was seeing the brilliance that is Melissa Manlove up close as she worked with both of these clients and their texts. She really is incredibly talented at what she does, and Chronicle has done an amazing job of marketing the book as well.

How pleased were you with the selection of John Parra as the book's illustrator?


I literally could not have been more pleased. I knew his work was going to be terrifically fun and folky, and reflect the spirit of the text I loved so much. It totally surpassed those expectations. (Yet another thing Melissa Manlove and the Chronicle team are brilliant with: Matching text and illustrators!)

Why would you like to see this book in the hands and hearts of countless children?


Oh, so many reasons! I think in the U.S., we tend to ignore or belittle the people who work mostly behind the scenes, when the truth is that we depend on those people for our safety and comfort. I love that we’re focusing on a garbage man here--a regular guy, doing his very best. I love that we get a glimpse of the person behind the role, and that he chose to make every day a celebration--something else that all of us could learn from. I love that he looks like a giant, with stars and rays behind him, on the cover of the book, shining as an example to all. I love that the story was born out of Phil’s volunteer efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, out of the personal connections he made there, out of Cornelius’s own resilience, and out of the good things that emerged after great tragedy. (I’m a huge believer in fostering resilience in children, and I think examples of others being resilient can be powerful.)

​And as Phil has shared, I love that there are classroom connections to be made here, giving the book even more life--both in studying Katrina and in examining this book as an example of a tall tale, showing kids how to see stories in the everyday things around them. I hope it inspires many of them to value writing and story and perhaps grow up to be writers themselves…or at least live their lives in a way that notices the tiny moments that make up the flow of the years.

Erin Murphy founded her eponymous agency in Flagstaff in 1999. The focus at EMLA is not just on shepherding books to publication, but on building careers—and creating a sense of community, as well. Before becoming a literary agent, Erin was editor-in-chief at a Flagstaff (Arizona) publishing company that produced children’s books as well as adult lifestyle and art titles with a regional focus.

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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is a picture-book biography told in an American tall-tale style. It is written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, August 4, 2015. Ilustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Please visit Chronicle Books online.

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Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party!! Day 2

10/6/2015

1 Comment

 
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015

Day 2
Phil Bildner: A Most-Marvelous Kidlit Author

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What was it about Cornelius Washington that inspired you to focus a picture-book on his life?

For several years following Hurricane Katrina, I traveled to New Orleans with teen volunteers to help in the cleanup and recovery. So often I was asked (or told) I should write about my experiences. But I didn’t want to. I knew if I ever ended up writing about any aspect of my time in New Orleans, it would be about someone I met or learned about because each one of those trips was always about the people and community. I learned about Cornelius from Katy Reckdahl, a reporter from the Times-Picayune who spoke to our volunteers. As soon as I did, the light bulb went on.

Please, tell us about the letter you received from Cornelius's mother, Mary Wiley. How were you able to use this primary resource in your text?

Ms. Mary’s letter was an unexpected treasure. And it still is. When I spoke with her on the phone, I learned a tremendous amount about Cornelius. I was able to ascertain a general sense of his life timeline and who he was as a person. But Ms. Mary’s letter provided me with the Cornelius backstory. I was able to understand--or better understand--why he was who he was. The letter enabled me to flesh out Cornelius the character and construct a larger-than-life figure who symbolized so much of what New Orleans is all about.

You used great sensitivity and simplicity to described the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. "But then one day, the storm came. The great city filled with water." As a writer, did this require a lot of restraint? Please explain.

In early drafts, there was significantly more text describing the arrival of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent destruction. But once we started seeing John’s sketches, and then once we saw the final art, it was clear that less was more. The images captured so much of what needed to be said.

What was your emotional response when you first saw John Parra's illustrations for Marvelous Cornelius?

I was really fortunate in that Melissa Manlove, the editor on the project, was kind enough to share John’s early sketches. I was able to see the book slowly coming together, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for seeing those full color paintings for the first time. Seeing my words come to life in these beautiful folk art illustrations was magical.


When kids, especially those who have been touched by tragic events, read about Marvelous Cornelius from Waterproof, Louisiana what is your hope for them?

I want kids (and adults) who read Marvelous Cornelius to have an enjoyable and rewarding reading experience. For those that have been touched by tragedy, I hope they make text-to-life connections. I hope it helps them recognize and perhaps appreciate on another level the everyday heroes that walk among us.

Phil Bildner taught middle-school in the New York City public schools for eleven years. He is the author of numerous books for kids including A Whole New Ballgame, The Soccer Fence, Twenty-One Elephants, and along with Loren Long, The New York Times bestselling serial, Sluggers. Phil spends much of the year visiting schools around the country conducting writing workshops and teaching process. Find him online at philbildner.com. His Twitter handle is @PhilBildner.

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Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is a picture-book biography told in a tall-tale style. It is written by Phil Bildner, illustrated by John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco, August 4, 2015. Illustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco Please visit Chronicle Books online.

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Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party!! DAY 1

10/5/2015

1 Comment

 
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Have you ever fell in love with a book then told anyone who would listen that they should pick up a copy and read it? Have you personally guaranteed that they were going to love it as much as you?
​For me, Marvelous Cornelius, a picture-book biography fashioned in the style of an American folktale, is one of those kind of books. From the moment I saw the cover, I knew that love was on the menu. Just look at those vibrant colors and how handsome the main character is! And what a marvelous title! 

I love how Cornelius's joyous disposition, no matter his humble occupation, glows on each page. I love how Cornelius's infectious smile and friendly greetings light up his neighborhood just like musical notes played on a New Orleans' street corner. And I absolutely love the brightness of hope that resounds in the story despite the darkness that Hurricane Katrina unleashed. But what I appreciate the most is how Cornelius--a hard working, humble man--joined hands with others, especially those who called the French Quarter their home, to bring the brightness back to their community when the waters of Hurricane Katrina receded. 
And because I fell in love with this book, I decided to celebrate it by having a Marvelous Cornelius Blog Party in which everyday this week, save Sunday, I'll be featuring six individuals responsible for creating and sharing a most-marvelous picture-book biography. Please join in the celebration by leaving behind your comments. 
Marvelous Cornelius: Hurricane Katrina & the Spirit of New Orleans is written by Phil Bildner,
illustrated by 
John Parra, and published by Chronicle Books (San Francisco, August 4, 2015). Illustrations (c) John Parra, 2015 used with permission from Chronicle Books, San Francisco. Please visit www.ChronicleBooks.com online.


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(c) John Parra Chronicle Books, 2015

Day 1
​John Parra: A Most-Marvelous KidLit Artist

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What was your first response when reading the text for Marvelous Cornelius?

As I first read Marvelous Cornelius, I realized right away how powerful and beautiful the narrative was. The story is set in the incredible city of New Orleans, with all its unique and artistic signatures of music, food, architecture, and celebrations. The main character of Cornelius is impressively showcased with a passion and positive enthusiasm for his work and for his neighborhood. As the story progresses, the narrative challenges us with a message of how love and its spirit can function to address serious events that occur in one’s life and community. I saw elements of everyday heroes and community activism that inspired me. For me, Marvelous Cornelius is a story that works on so many wonderful levels. It creates an emotional experience both powerful and simple. It shows us the good we all are capable of.

 How did you go about doing research for the illustrations?

Like most projects, I start by researching online and looking for related references, such as images and text, pertaining to any elements described in the story. Through this technique, I begin to enhance my visualization and feelings for the book. Since this book was about a real person, Cornelius Washington, and a real place, New Orleans, these elements are all examined with great detail in the run up to the drawing and sketch process. In addition to the standard references, I love examining the regional artists and cultural aspects established in the book’s setting. Local renowned New Orleans folk artist, Clementine Hunter, had a big visual inspiration for me when thinking about the book. Once research is done, I begin sketching characters and environments looking for pacing and story arcs. Some pages I see clearly in my mind while others require much more work. My goal is to be as comprehensive as possible so that any reader familiar with the setting would feel it to be true and accurate to its presentation but still be accessible and fun for readers of all ages.

Did you find painting Hurricane Katrina's fury on New Orleans emotionally difficult?

It was difficult working on the Hurricane Katrina scenes. At the time I began the project, Hurricane Sandy was hitting New York and causing much destruction. Many people I knew here lost everything. There are of course differences between the two storms, but there is a connection of empathy and understanding that comes from going through something similar.

Describe your painting process for Marvelous Cornelius.

Many people think I paint on wood because of the texture seen in my paintings, but I am actually working on illustration board. There is a process where I add different layers of color acrylic paint to a board. After about four layers, I sandpaper into it to give it a worn and old fashion look that I use for the background foundation. Once ready, I begin to transfer the sketch to the board through masking out shapes and painting various elements. As characters and scenes take shape, the final aspect is to add all the detail and shading to complete the art.

What do you hope children will take away from reading this marvelous (almost-true) picture-book biography?

I do hope they enjoy the story of Cornelius and learn the history of Hurricane Katrina. I hope they reflect and see that no matter who they are in life, where they come from, or what they do, they too can be the best version of themselves, and be a hero and role model to family, friends, and community. That also when difficult things happen in life, it is okay to be sad or upset but to always try and never give up on it, that life is beautiful in so many diverse ways.

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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015
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(c) John Parra, Chronicle Books, 2015
John Parra is an award-winning illustrator, fine artist, designer, and educator best known for his art illustrated Latino-themed children’s books such as Gracias / Thanks, Green is a Chile Pepper, and Waiting for the Biblioburro. He received an SCBWI's Golden Kite Award, Pura Belpré Honor’s Award from The American Library Association, and a Christopher’s Award from The Christopher’s organization. Parra’s original artwork has been showcased in numerous galleries and museums throughout the United States and South America. He has taught illustration and regularly speaks at schools and literary conferences advocating art and reading education. Recently John was invited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York to present a special event about his work and career in art and illustration. He can be found online at JohnParraArt.com and Tweeting @johnparraart.
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    About Me

    Dionna is a spinner of children's yarns, a weaver of nonfiction, and a forever-learner enrolled in the Institute of Imaginative Thinking. Her kidlit work has appeared on the pages of  Cricket, Spider, and Ladybug. As a work-for-hire author, she's written projects for Scholastic, Lerner, Capstone, Little, Brown and other educational publishers. Her middle-grade, MAMA'S CHICKEN & DUMPLINGS, will be released by Holiday House come 2024. An SCBWI member since 2005, Dionna is represented by ​Kelly Dyksterhouse and 
    Jacqui Lipton of The Tobias Literary Agency.


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