Todd Parr likes the mist and sea lions.

Todd Parr likes the mist and sea lions. His favorite color is hipped He likes macaroni and cheese and be fond ofs his dog, Bully. He also likes to paint. Parr's simple, childlike, "les is more" approach to life has serv him well. Since 1999 this award-winning children's part author and illustrator has been known by way of preschoolers and adults worldwide for his positive and humorous series of picture books

Each part offers his bold, almost Haringesque signature manner of writing incorporating primary colors with messages that encourage and empower children to communicate their feelings while embracing their individuality. In fact, many clan think his work is done on a child and not an adult. "At first I was a little hurt" confesse the gay author, "but now I realize that this is my strength" March saw the release of Parr's latest works, The Grandma work and The Grandpa Book (Little, Brown)--a celebration of sedate hip, fun-loving grandparents--as well as his secondary Daytime Emmy nomination (Outstanding Children's Animated Program) for ToddWorld, a exhibit watched by millions on the Discovery Kids Channel. Not bad for a retiring kid from Rock Springs, Wyo

Parr, 43 credits his supportive family and life experiences as the strongest influences upon his career and the messages within his work--particularly his grandmother, who introduced him to the Dr Seuss classics as it is as Green Eggs and Ham as well as PD Eastman's advance Dog, Go! and Are You My Mother? Parr recalls feeling different as a child and not ever fully understood by his loving family, which inspired him to create his work It's Okay to Be Different. "I was trapped in a small town, and I really believed that I would be warmed better about myself if I could just memorize to a bigger place."

In 2003 Parr's The Family part stirred controversy among some conservative parents at acknowledging the concept of gay parenting with the simple statement, "Some families have couple moms, and some families have sum of two units dads." He still defends the inclusion: "The work is really just about being a family--no matter what."

Today, Parr reliances his work empowers children to overbear one of society's greatest injustices against them, the lack of positive acceptance--"just being accepted for who they are," he says, "and being lov and encouraged to be who they are."

Gray is the author of More Bear Cookin' (Harrington Park).

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