By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Todd Parr’s suggestion that kids eat macaroni and cheese in the bathtub did not go over well with their parents.
“Moms and dads were very mad at me,” Parr said, smiling. But mac and cheese is a recurring theme in Parr’s books for children. That and underwear.
Parr talked about them both with children during his appearance as guest author at the annual Literacy in the Park event Saturday at Bowling Green State University.
“His books remind us to be ourselves. That it’s OK to be different,” Tim Murnen, interim director of the BGSU School of Teaching and Learning, said as he introduced Parr to an audience of eager children and their parents.
“His books remind us that everyone should wear underwear on your head at least once in your lifetime,” Murnen said.
Child listens to Todd Parr’s stories.
But beyond the silly subjects of food and undergarments, Parr’s underlying message was for the parents as much as their kids.
It’s OK to be different. It’s OK to wear glasses, to be missing teeth, to get mad, to have a pet worm.
From the stage in the busy, noisy field house, Parr read some of his books aloud to the children. The underwear book outlined the “dos” and “don’ts,” suggesting that underwear not be put in the freezer, always be worn when fishing, but never be used as bait.
Each book ends with the same salutation.
Love, Todd.
Parr told the kids a little bit about his life. He failed art class – a couple times – but knew he wanted to be an artist. His simplistic, silly, bright, block lettered books are easy for kids to enjoy and digest.
“It’s really hard to tell the difference between the kids’ art and mine,” he said as he shared pictures sent to him by his younger fans. “Remember, there are no mistakes in art.”
He showed pictures of his three canine “kids,” named Pete, Tater Tot and Jerry, in various poses and in their Christmas sweaters.
He showed a picture of his “Gram,” who read to him every night when he was a child. “She’s still reading,” at age 96, he said.
Parr has written more than 40 children’s books, translated into 16 languages. He recently returned from a book tour in China, from where he showed a photograph of a dinner he ate there – mac and cheese, of course.
Todd Parr talks with a parent.
While in Bowling Green, he ate dinner Friday evening downtown and then had his picture taken next to a Frisch’s Big Boy statue, which he hadn’t seen since he was a kid. “I realize now, that I now look like the Big Boy statue I loved when I was a kid.”
On stage, Parr was very much like a big kid, reading aloud his stories.
There was “The Goodbye Book” and “Teachers Rock!” “I decided to write a book that celebrates them,” he said. “Teachers are very special. They teach you new things and they take care of you.”
Love, Todd.
Then, “It’s Okay to Make Mistakes,” like spill milk, fall down, wear two different socks, forget your umbrella, change your mind, and ask for help.
“It’s okay if you’re clumsy. You might learn a new move. It’s okay to get dirty. A bubble bath is a lot of fun.”
Love, Todd.
The parents were enamored as much as the children with the author reading aloud to them. “We love Todd Parr,” said Katie Dougherty, a mom from Toledo. “He writes about being different. Our kids love the books.”
In addition to the author’s appearance, the Literacy in the Park event filled the field house with activities that had children jumping, spinning, painting, petting dogs, hula hooping, and putting together puzzles.
Kids were given the chance to add their own pages to Parr’s books.
“If you were the author, how would you continue the books,” Naomi Lavette, Educators in Context and Community Learning at BGSU, said to prompt the children. “I’m all about letting the children take control.”
Children have photos taken with underwear hats.
They painted pictures saying it’s OK to yell, be angry, be a T-Rex, be tall, to cry, to paint your face, and to pick your nose – but don’t eat it, the young artist added.
The children also had a chance to have their pictures taken in Todd Parr’s photo booth – wearing giant pairs of underwear on their heads.
“We’ve had so much fun here,” said Maria Simon, head of the children’s area of the Wood County District Public Library.
Simon said Parr’s books are a big hit with children and their parents. “He’s writing as much for adults as for kids.” The books’ big block letters and simple messages make them perfect for storytimes. The library has had Braille translations added to some of his books.
She also pointed out Parr’s focus on philanthropy, and focus on a message of acceptance and understanding. “He’s so fun. He cares. He’s so genuine,” Simon said. “It’s really nice when the authors are kind people.”
Parr loves his readers – and they love him back.
