Author Showcase: Todd Parr

I love showcasing authors for children’s books. And today, the spotlight is on Todd Parr!

The I LOVE YOU Book Kids need to know that love is unconditional and this book drives that point home is a simple, bright and funny way. I cried through reading most of it, but my son laughed and loved it. I specifically loved that the author includes that a child is loved even when they are sad, not sleeping and more. The cover of the book has a cut out heart shape and would be a great add-on to a shape activity about hearts.

Otto Goes to the Beach was a steal of a deal at the Goodwill last week! I got a hardcover in perfect condition for 70 cents. My bargain hunting aside, I really enjoy this book as did my son. Otto is a dog who goes to the beach but no one wants to do the same things as he does, even the fish swim the other way! In the end, after feeling very sad Otto finds a new friend and all his misery is forgotten. I love Todd Parr books, I love the insanely bright colors, the cute simplistic illustrations and I love the messages they send. This book followed his other books perfectly and provided a great final message about not giving up finding a friend who will like all the same things you do!

Otto Goes to Bed is a really fun and positive book. Otto is a dog who doesn’t want to go to bed. He wants to play, chase his tail, and a bath and brushing teeth don’t help. Instead, he figures out that there is something he likes about bedtime, dreaming! I like that this book addresses that going to bed feels like missing out on things for kids. I know I felt like that for years. However, instead of blankly saying “Sleeping is great” or “You have to go to bed” this book finds something positive about going to bed. The illustration of Otto as a superhero dog makes my son howl with laughter every time.

The Family Book is a book that doesn’t give readers a narrow definition of family, it doesn’t say that your family has to look a certain way, or be the same as your neighbors. As a teacher, I really appreciated the matter of fact way it embraced diversity. Kids see that families are not all like theirs. It’s important to validate the truth while recognizing that while they may not all look alike, all families are made with love. Great book, cute illustrations, and children love it.

The Mommy Book by Todd Parr is a bright, funny, and, of course, wonderfully random book. I love Todd Parr and his blunt and diverse books. In this one, he once again reassures kids that mommies come in all different forms. But all mommies want you to be who you are! Your kids will love the simple and vibrant pictures that, of course, are Todd Parr’s signature!

Underwear Do’s and Don’ts makes my son laugh and me hopeful that he will want to wear underwear sometime before 2020. The book is silly and full of absurd but entertaining advice about underwear. My son is particularly fond of the advice about not putting your underwear in the freezer! He laughs like it’s a new joke every time we read it, which is 3-4 times a day.

Go See The Author!

If you are or will be in the Chicago Area on August 15th and 16th you can go meet the author Todd Parr at select Nordstrom stores. He will be reading, signing, and introducing the world to his new clothing line Planet Color by Todd Parr. Above is an example of the illustrations that will be on the clothing. For more info check out the website.

Have you read any books by Todd Parr that you would add to this list?  Comment below or share on my Facebook page!

For more quick tips on helping your child learn to read, be sure to check out my book; Raising A Rock-Star Reader. It is packed with fun ideas for families, book lists, and advice for parents.