iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 20h

Thank you to @astoriabookshop.bsky.social & House Of Speak Easy for a wonderful book event on 31st Ave Open Street in Astoria, Queens!It was such a joy to share our book, ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! FernandoMania Erupts in Los Angeles, w readers alongside @nathaliealonso.bsky.social. #hispanicheritagemonth

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Join us at the 31st Ave Open Street in Queens for a special afternoon celebrating books, art, & culture! Sat, Oct. 3, 1pm–3pm, 34-02 31st Ave, Astoria, NY. Meet author Nathalie Alonso & illustrator John Parra, creators of Viva Valenzuela!, for: A special literacy & art event. shorturl.at/LfYlU

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Happy to share my artist story with CanvasRebel Magazine for their Stories and Insights series. I reflect on building a livelihood through my creative path, share a few career insights, and talk about the journey of making a life as an artist. canvasrebel.com/meet-john-pa... VIVA VALENZUELA!

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Join me this Sat., Sept. 26, from 10a–4p at the @lapubliclibrary.bsky.social LIBROS FESTIVAL for a day of books, art, music, storytelling, and community! I’ll be sharing my new picture books, ¡Viva Valenzuela! & My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story. Hope to see you there! www.lapl.org/events/los-a...

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Special promotion for MY ANIMALITOS: A Frida Kahlo Story! Now through Oct. 31, get the board book for 15% off at Bookshop.org w code: NORTHSOUTH. Perfect for holiday gifting, baby showers, birthdays, or simply adding a beautiful new book to a little one’s library! Shop now: tinyurl.com/556v7u5m

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Honored to be part of @slj.com’s Latine Heritage Month: 17 Biographies to Honor the Contributions of Latine People! with ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! FernandoMania Erupts in Los Angeles! www.schoollibraryjournal.com/story/17-Bio... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social #hispanicheritagemonth #LatinxKidLit #picturebook

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

So cool to see ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! on the NYPL's: 20 Picture Book Biographies to Celebrate Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month List... & to be in such fantastic company of wonderful books celebrating incredible lives, stories, and history! www.nypl.org/blog/2026/08... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Shafer Stedron to talk about my art, picture books, and the stories that inspire me. Watch here: youtu.be/sSZyDK08bIM?... johnparraart.com/books/my-ani... @northsouthbooks.bsky.social

youtu.be

John Parra: Culture, Art, and Kidlit

YouTube video by Talks with Dr Shafer

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Happy Book Birthday to my illustrated book, MY ANIMALITOS: A Frida Kahlo Story, by Monica Brown! inspired by the NY Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book & Pura Belpré Honor-winning title, FRIDA KAHLO AND HER ANIMALITOS. Available in English and bilingual editions. northsouth.com/.../mis-anim...

northsouth.com

My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story / Mis animalitos: Un cuentito de Frida Kahlo - NorthSouth Books

Meet renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo and all of her animal friends in this bilingual board book inspired by the Pura Belpré Honor-winning Frida Kahlo and Her Animalitos.

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles is headed to Cooperstown, NY, Thurs, Aug 27! at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Summer Author Series. The event will also be streamed on @baseballhall Facebook page! baseballhall.org/.../author-s... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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Reposted by John Parra

KidLit TV @kidlittv.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

📚📢 Heads Up! Summer is BASEBALL season -- here's a picture book biography that belongs in every starting lineup: ¡VIVA VALENZUELA!: FERNANDOMANIA ERUPTS IN LOS ANGELES, by award-winning sports reporter @nathaliealonso.bsky.social & illus by @johnparraart.bsky.social! It's a home run read! ❤️⚾

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Great news! From June 23–26, @barnesandnoble.com is offering 25% off pre-orders. This includes My Animalitos / Mis Animalitos!: A Frida Kahlo Story. shorturl.at/hlBB4 shorturl.at/KHJXM @northsouthbooks.bsky.social #myanimalitos #misanimalitos #childrensbooks #bilingualbooksforkids #preorder

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Join me this Sat, June 20, at the 9th Annual Bronx Book Festival, where I will be reading, drawing, and signing, in a wonderful day filled with books, creativity, and community! Tickets & info here: www.thebronxisreading.com/the-bronx-bo....

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Awesomeness!!! It’s a STARRED REVIEW from SLJ for My Animalitos: A Frida Kahlo Story, my upcoming illustrated board book with #MonicaBrownauthor. Coming this Sept 2026. northsouth.com/books/mis-an... #fridakahlo @northsouthbooks.bsky.social @slj.com

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles, made a visit to Salón de la Fama del Beisbol Mexicano. Celebrate the legacy of Fernando Valenzuela & discover stories of legendary Latin American baseball players who helped shape the game on both sides of the border. @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Artists & baseball fans alike, take a behind-the-scenes, picture-book-look, at time-lapse illustration from ¡Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles, by @nathaliealonso.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaXa... Thank you to MFCC for Mexican Latin Background Music for Background Music

youtube.com

¡Viva Valenzuela!: Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles illustration video

YouTube video by Astra Publishing House

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

This Sat, May 2, come celebrate at the 15th Annual Hudson Childrens Book Festival at Columbia-Greene Community College NY from 10a -3p I’ll be sharing my newest books, This Moment is Special: A Día de Muertos Story & ¡Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles, along w some past favorites.

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

A special book review from La Prensa del Béisbol Latino A publication of the Society for American Baseball Research #SABR Latino baseball committee for our book ¡Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles. Spring 2026 newsletter here: sabr.org/.../latino-b... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

An incredible SoCal book tour celebrating Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles From inspiring school visits to unforgettable special events, this trip was filled with energy, connection, & heart. Thanks to the amazing educators, students, family & friends who made this so meaningful.

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

Meet award-winning, bestselling illustrator John Parra at a special book reading & signing celebrating ¡Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles this week in SoCal!

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 12/04/2026

I’m grateful to share Theresa Villarreal’s thoughtful and heartfelt review of ¡Viva Valenzuela!: Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles. A special children's book story about Fernando Valenzuela, The Dodgers, and the amazing baseball loving Latino community. theresamariavillarreal.com/book-review-...

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Happy Book Birthday to ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! A picture book by @nathaliealonso.bsky.social and John Parra (English Version) astrapublishinghouse.com/product/viva... (Spanish Version) astrapublishinghouse.com/product/viva...

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

This Tues, Mar. 24, ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! hits shelves. @nathaliealonso.bsky.social Order your English copy here: astrapublishinghouse.com/.../viva-val... Order your Spanish copy here: astrapublishinghouse.com/.../viva-val... #dodgers #kidlit #fernandomania

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Speaking alongside @nathaliealonso.bsky.social about our book, ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles, (Mar 24) w PR From The Heart. Celebrating LA Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela, a symbol of Mexican American pride & a hero to Latinos everywhere. www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTDx...

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

See you at the Tucson Festival of Books this weekend March 14–15. I will be signing advance copies of my brand-new illustrated picture book, ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! — available in English & Spanish. See my full schedule here: tucsonfestivalofbooks.org?action=displ...

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

A pleasure to sit down w author @nathaliealonso.bsky.social to sign adv. copies of our book ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! & reflect on our shared admiration for Fernando & Latino community he inspired, so wonderfully captured in this story. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWca...

youtube.com

Meet Nathalie Alonso + John Parra, creators of ¡Viva Valenzuela! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles

YouTube video by Astra Publishing House

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Reposted by John Parra

Librarianchica @librarianchica.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

March is Women's History Month, gente! This month we will feature picture books about women and women's history! 4. THE POWER OF HER PEN: THE STORY OF GROUNDBREAKING JOURNALIST ETHEL L. PAYNE, 2020 Author: www.lesaclineransome.com/bio Illustrator: @johnparraart.bsky.social #BookSky 💙📚

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Calling all baseball fans! Coming March 24, my newly illustrated picture book ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! will be released. Pre-order your English and/or Spanish copy now: johnparraart.com/books/viva-v... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Just under a month until the release of my newly illustrated picture book, ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles! written by @nathaliealonso.bsky.social. Pre-order your English and/or Spanish copy today: astrapublishinghouse.com/product/viva... #fernandomania #dodgers

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 15/02/2026

THRILLED adv. copies of VIVA VALENZUELA officially have arrive! This book celebrates the legendary rise of Fernando Valenzuela & the unforgettable “Fernandomania” that swept through Los Angeles & changed baseball history forever. astrapublishinghouse.com/creator/john... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

A great shoutout for ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! in School Library Journal's: 13 Great Sports Books for Kids That Raise a High Bar and Meet Their Mark. shorturl.at/yp02L Preorder at : astrapublishinghouse.com/product/viva... @slj.com @nathaliealonso.bsky.social @soyadriana.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Grateful to return to my hometown and take part in the Santa Barbara County Education Office 56th Annual Author-Go-Around. Big thanks as well to Ivania Montes at KEYT @newschannel312 for the wonderful interview and for spotlighting this special event: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ymie...

youtube.com

Students Meet Favorite Authors at 56th Annual Author-Go-Round

YouTube video by News Channel 3-12

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

An amazing review for ¡VIVA VALENZUELA!, coming from the team at @Kirkus.“…this book is a grand slam for young baseball fans…A well-pitched celebration of talent, perseverance, and the power of representation."— #Kirkus. www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews... @nathaliealonso.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

2 projects received Merit recognition in 3x3 Awards Illustration Annual #22 including art in ELOISA’S MUSICAL WINDOW, by @margaritaengle.bsky.social on @simonkids.bsky.social and the cover art for ACROSS SO MANY SEAS, a Newbery Honor book by @ruthbehar.bsky.social on @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 18/12/2025

Órale! ¡VIVA VALENZUELA! Receives its first STARRED REVIEW from @slj.com! www.slj.com/review/viva-..., @nathaliealonso.bsky.social #astrapublishing

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 11/12/2025

What an absolute pleasure to speak with the wonderful Jyoti Gopal on Episode 9 of the IN THE PICTURE podcast. Take a listen on Apple Podcasts : podcasts.apple.com/.../in-the-p... or Spotify: tinyurl.com/26rhravr #ArtEducation #picturebooks #creativity #illustration #artstudents #LatinoHeritage

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 28/11/2025

JOHN PARRA ART Store BLACK FRIDAY deals have started at @teepublic.bsky.social Up to 40% Sales on t-shirts, apparel, phone cases, wall decor, totes, stickers, and more! www.teepublic.com/user/johnpar... #mexico #DiaDeLosMuertos #fridakahlo #folkart #picturebooks #DiaDeMuertos #latinart #foodtruck

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

THANK YOU Jorge Inzunza for a special interview episode of "La hora Hilo." about my artist journey, and reading from my recent picture book, THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Día de Muertos Story. Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZekD... @simonkids.bsky.social @soyadriana.bsky.social @scbwi.bsky.social

youtube.com

La hora Hilo (capítulo 41): John Parra (English language)

YouTube video by Hilo Colectivo

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Reposted by John Parra

KidLit TV @kidlittv.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

📣✨ HEADS UP! Pura Belpré Honor–winning author-illus @johnparraart.bsky.social has a new book out from @simonkids.bsky.social called THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Dia De Muertos Story! Spend a day with a family as they prepare for a celebration to remember loved ones who have come before them. ❤️ #kidlit

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Signing advanced copies of my upcoming illustrated picture book, ¡Viva Valenzuela!: Fernandomania Erupts in Los Angeles, with author and MLB journalist Nathalie Alonso at Astra Books in NYC tinyurl.com/Viva-Valenzu... #DodgerNation #baseball #picturebooks #picturebookbiographies #latinxkidlit

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Calling all Rochester NY area readers! The Rochester Children's Book Festival is this Sat., Nov. 8, from 10a–4p @ Monroe Community College. Meet 50+ authors & illustrators, join in fun activities, & take home a signed book or two @ this FREE family fun event! www.rcbfest.com @simonkids.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Many thanks to Fox Rochester for the lovely interview & the chance to talk about my new book, THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Día de Muertos Story. I’m thrilled to share that I’ll also be at the Rochester Children's Book Festival this Sat Nov 8th! foxrochester.com/news/good-da... @simonkids.bsky.social

foxrochester.com

Children's author promotes literacy, family book festival

A local author is promoting his new children's book as well as the Rochester Children and Teens' Book Festival.John Parra joins ARC Rochester to plug "This Mome

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

I was lucky enough to kick off this Dodger season with them in Tokyo and celebrate the finale back home in Los Angeles.Congratulations to everyone across the Dodgers on their World Series Championship! Stay tuned for my upcoming book, Viva Valenzuela! a tribute to pitching legend Fernando Valenzuela

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Thankful to all the wonderful friends who made it to our Día de Muertos book events in LA. Here's to our own book journey! Video from, THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Día de Muertos Story. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvHj.... Pollypony Rec music www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJfb... @simonkids.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

An incredible Día de Muertos celebration in Los Angeles! Thank you for everyone being able to share my new book, This Moment Is Special, in such a meaningful way. Especially: bloomwildbookstore for hosting two amazing storytime events, and to Plaza de la Raza and Montebello Barnyard Zoo & Park

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 03/11/2025

What a pleasure to speak with @CB LA about my new book, This Moment is Special: A Dia de Muertos Story, and the meaning behind this heartfelt and wonderful cultural holiday tradition. www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/v... @simonkids.bsky.social #PRFromTheHeart

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

See on you on CBS LA this Saturday

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 30/10/2025

THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL, w Bloom Wild Bookshop, Storytime & Book Signing Events: Sat. Nov 1 –11a-1p Montebello Barnyard Zoo www.eventbrite.com/.../john-par.... – 5p-9p Plaza de la Raza Plaza/Día de Muertos www.plazadelaraza.org/.../10/23/di... @simonkids.bsky.social @soyadriana.bsky.social

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John Parra @johnparraart.bsky.social · 24/10/2025

“Looking up, I see a sea of stars! The constellations in the sky tell stories and myths. I’m in awe. Estoy asombrado.” – John Parra, THIS MOMENT IS SPECIAL: A Día de Muertos Story johnparraart.com/books/this-m... @simonkids.bsky.social

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