The Okay Book [Hardcover]

Todd Parr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1999 | Grade Level: P and up

Is it okay to be short? Is it okay to wear two different socks? Read this book and find out! Full color.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1-A set of clever, small-sized offerings illustrated with boldly outlined minimalist drawings done in primary colors. The round, stick-figure characters are presented with green faces, yellow faces, blue hair, and green hair, and are often amusingly out of proportion. Do's and Don'ts is a balanced selection of the advisable and the ludicrous. "Do help keep the house clean/Don't vacuum up the cat." Alternating silly and serious suggestions makes the sensible advice palatable for kids. The Okay Book is a refreshingly agenda-free affirmation of individuality. "It's okay to wear two different socks...It's okay to wear glasses...It's okay to eat all the frosting off your birthday cake." Things That Make You Feel... gently reminds readers of the balance in their lives, "Good chicken soup/Bad chicken pox." This Is My Hair is straightforward and humorous: "This is my Hair in pigtails/This is my Hair with spaghetti and meatballs in it." A short, but appropriate message from the author at the end of the book states, "No matter how your hair looks, always feel good about yourself." All four titles offer reassuring and kindhearted lessons.
Christy Norris Blanchette, Valley Cottage Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

spent my childhood in a small town in Wyoming. It was a great place to grow up but I knew the world was out there waiting for me. In high school, art was a passion of mine, but I failed art class. Because of that failure, I lacked the self-confidence to pursue it further. But it wasn’t all my teachers fault. I worked at many things before finally coming back to my original dream of painting, but again I faced rejection. Despite the rejection, I continued on with my work because I knew being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life. After not having success with galleries, I was able to show my work at one of Wolfgang Puck’s restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco, where I have lived for the past 13 years. With a little luck and persistence, this exhibit led to many other things, like creating merchandise for Macys, and then on to my own line of clothing for kids. I first got into children’s publishing in 1998. I was able to take the messages that are part of my art and put them in a simple reading about acceptance, differences and empowerment for kids to feel better about themselves in a simple, fun way. I have a lot of fun creating my books and I’m proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way. Here are some of the fun, cool things that have happened to me and my books: My work was displayed in the windows of FAO Schwarz in NYC and San Francisco, with interior displays of some of my product, including my first four books. “ Todd Parr Shops” within Toys R Us Japan were launched at all 101 stores with products exclusively available in Japan. My Books have won several awards and have been featured on The Rosie O’Donnell show. Currently I have written and illustrated 28 books with two more for 2007 and 2008. In 2004, I appeared in a Panasonic commercial and print ad. I have partnered with Target, Reach Out and Read, People Magazine and several other organizations to promote reading. In November 2005, my children’s preschool show, ToddWorld premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids. The show has since been nominated for an Emmy and has won several other awards including the iParenting Media Award and the 2005 Humanitas Award for the episode entitled “Who’s Your Best Friend?”. ToddWorld is now airing in almost every country around the world with a second season is in the works. With the support of my family, especially my Dad and Grandma, I have been very successful but I do have another passion. I'd like to own my own restaurant! As my Grandma used to say: " You're a little lost now but I know you'll find your way ". Todd and his dog, Bully

Product Details

• Hardcover: 24 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers; 1st edition (April 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316692204
• ISBN-13: 978-0316692205
• Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 6.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,021,594 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I like the fog
I like sea lions
I like to paint
My favorite color is Blue
My favorite food is macaroni and cheese


I spent my childhood in a small town in Wyoming. It was a great place to grow up but I knew the world was out there waiting for me.

In high school, art was a passion of mine, but I failed art class. Because of that failure, I lacked the self-confidence to pursue it further. But it wasn't all my teachers fault.

I worked at many things before finally coming back to my original dream of painting, but again I faced rejection. Despite the rejection, I continued on with my work because I knew being an artist was what I wanted to do with my life.

After not having success with galleries, I was able to show my work at one of Wolfgang Puck's restaurants, Postrio, in San Francisco, where I have lived for the past 13 years. With a little luck and persistence, this exhibit led to many other things, like creating merchandise for Macys, and then on to my own line of clothing for kids.

I first got into children's publishing in 1998. I was able to take the messages that are part of my art and put them in a simple reading about acceptance, differences and empowerment for kids to feel better about themselves in a simple, fun way.

I have a lot of fun creating my books and I'm proud to know they are helping someone feel better about themselves in a silly, fun way.

Here are some of the fun, cool things that have happened to me and my books:

My work was displayed in the windows of FAO Schwarz in NYC and San Francisco, with interior displays of some of my product, including my first four books.

Todd Parr Shops within Toys R Us Japan were launched at all 101 stores with products exclusively available in Japan.

My Books have won several awards and have been featured on The Rosie O'Donnell show. Currently I have written and illustrated 28 books with two more for 2007 and 2008.

In 2004, I appeared in a Panasonic commercial and print ad.

I have partnered with Target, Reach Out and Read, People Magazine and several other organizations to promote reading.

In November 2005, my children's preschool show, ToddWorld premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids. The show has since been nominated for an Emmy and has won several other awards including the iParenting Media Award and the 2005 Humanitas Award for the episode entitled "Who's Your Best Friend"?. The Bronze medal in the New York Film Festival and an award for "Pizza on Earth" in the Chicago International Children's Film Festival. ToddWorld is now airing in almost every country around the world with a second season is in the works.

With the support of my family, especially my Dad and Grandma, I have been very successful but I do have another passion. I'd like to own my own restaurant!

As my Grandma used to say:
"You're a little lost now but I know you'll find your way".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dream Big but Skip the Fish, November 18, 2005

By 

My Uncle Stu (Atlanta) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Okay Book (Hardcover)

In the "Okay Book," Todd Parr uses simple drawings with vibrant, primary colors to illustrate his supportive and educational messages for kids. The messages fall into 4 categories. We have the pro-self-esteem messages: "It's okay to be short," "it's okay to have freckles," "it's okay to wear glasses," "it's okay to wear what you like," "it's okay to have no hair," "it's okay to be skinny," "it's okay to be big." Second, we have emotional/behavioral themes: "it's okay to be scared," "it's okay to share," "it's okay to try new things," and, in a paraphrase of the great Rosie Grier, "it's okay to cry." Third, we also have the tolerance/broadmindedness messages: "it's okay to come from a different place" (illustrated with a martian in a UFO hovering outside Saturn), "it's okay to live in a small house," and "it's okay to be a different color." Finally, there is a fourth category of silly, cutesy messages which are sprinkled in to enhance the kid-friendliness and keep it from being too heavy-handed: "it's okay to wear two different socks," "it's okay to eat all the frosting off your birthday cake," "it's okay to hang out in the rain," "it's okay to sing out loud," and "it's okay to put a fish in your hair."

That last one troubles me. Every time I see it, I have a visceral reaction to that. In my mind, it is actually not okay to put fish in your hair. However, take that with a grain of salt. I have been criticized for missing to point of kids books in my reviews when I make comments like that. In fact, in response to my review of "Chimp and Zee," where I called for primatological correctness (Chimps are not monkeys and they don't have tails!), Mr. Anholt emailed me and said, in part, "I defend the importance of creative invention and I am rarely sloppy - I hope you are not being dogmatic or literal-minded in your judgement. (sic)" I should also note that the overall tone of Mr. Anholt's letter was very congenial and charming, and I do recommend his books.

The "Okay Book" is a very nice book, particularly for preschoolers. It delivers important messages of tolerance and acceptance but strikes enough of a balance between goofiness and preachiness to not feel like a lesson. It concludes well with a nice sendoff, "it's okay to dream big."

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's okay to buy this book, November 28, 2001

By 

Tony Ursillo (Norwood, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Okay Book (Hardcover)

Yeah, that was corny, but it was too obvious. Anyway, I came across this book in one of those educational toy stores. What grabbed me was the vibrant colors and the simple, yet important values it communicates. There are two basic messages. The first is not to be biased or prejudiced against others because of superficial things that don't reflect who they are as people (like how big their house is or how they dress). The second message is that you should have the courage to be who you want to be and to express that. My son has been captivated by this book since he was only a few months old and I am looking forward to the day when he will be able to take away the important messages from it. It's comforting to have this book as a tool so that I can help my son grow up to be confident, respectful and happy. As do most parents, we have a few dozen books now. None is a substitute for "Okay." I've evaluated Todd Parr's other books online, but was less impressed and haven't bought any yet. But this one is a gem.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Graders Really Think This Book Is Better Than Okay, January 19, 2002

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Okay Book (Hardcover)

This is a wonderful little book! My first graders love to read this book over and over. They love the bright pictures and simple drawings. The children begged to write their own okay books which we did! This is another "Good Night Moon" but for the beginning reader set. I've now gone through my fifth classroom copy!