[ Music ] >> Monica Valentine: Hello, and welcome to the
National Book Festival. My name is Monica valentine
from the Library of Congress, and I am here with Parker
Curry and Jessica Curry, whose featured book at the
festival is Parker Looks Up. If you'd like to see Parker
and Jessica's presentation at the festival, log into
nationalbookfestival.com; you'll find it on
the children's stage. So, welcome Parker and Jessica, we are thrilled to
have you here. >> Parker Curry: Thank you! >> Monica Valentine: Parker
I think you are probably officially the youngest author at the book festival this
year, that's very cool. >> Jessica Curry: Whoa! We didn't know that,
that's really [inaudible]. >> Monica Valentine:
If you're ready, we can begin our conversation. >> Parker Curry: I'm ready! >> Monica Valentine: All right! All right. So, Parker. Parker, our first
question is from Marie. I think she's seen some pictures
of you before, because she asks where did you find a
dress that looks just like Michelle Obama's? >> Parker Curry: My mommy, my mommy was the one
who found the dress. >> Monica Valentine: Cool! Jessica, can you
share that with us? >> Jessica Curry: Yeah, a couple
years ago we were asking Parker what she wanted to
be for Halloween, and much to our surprise
she responded she wanted to be Michelle Obama. So, we didn't know what we were
going to do, but I remembered that much earlier in the
year, after that picture of Parker looking up it Michelle
Obama's portrait went viral, there was a children's
dressmaker who reached out and said that she was inspired to make a mini Michelle
Obama gown, a mini version of that Millie gown for Parker,
and for other little girls. >> Monica Valentine: Wow, how
neat for her to have that. So, we have another
question from Katie. >> Jessica Curry: What are your
favorite books to read together? >> Parker Curry: My favorite
book is Parker Looks Up, and The Snowy Day. >> Jessica Curry:
Monica are you there? [Laughs]. Is it us,
or is it you? >> Parker Curry: We
can't hear you Monica. >> Jessica Curry:
I can't see, uh-oh. >> Parker Curry:
Can't see nothing. I can't see you,
Monica, or hear you. >> Jessica Curry: Yep,
we can't hear you. [Inaudible]. Oh there you are, there you
are, we can hear you again. >> Monica Valentine:
You can hear me now? Oh terrific, okay. I have a question from Emily. This is for Parker. What is, what is it about
the first lady Michelle Obama that inspires you the most? And do you think you would
ever want to be first lady? Also, you are an adorable
little lady, and she admires you for being excited about writing
and wanting to be an author at such a very young age. >> Jessica Curry: Yeah,
that was a lot, so. >> Monica Valentine: Yeah. >> Parker Curry: [inaudible]
meeting Michelle Obama is getting a tour around
her office. >> Monica Valentine:
Getting to go to her office? >> Parker Curry:
Yeah, she gave me... >> Monica Valentine:
That inspired you? >> Parker Curry: A
personal, private tour. >> Monica Valentine: Oh my. >> Jessica Curry: I think
Emily also said what is it about Michelle Obama
that inspires you? >> Parker Curry: Oh. The dance party's with her. >> Jessica Curry: The
dance party's with her. [Laughs]. [Parker Singing]. She'll never forget that
day, as you can see. >> Parker Curry: Shake it off! >> Monica Valentine:
Another part of that question was
do you think you'd ever like to be first lady? Or president? >> Jessica Curry:
What do you think? What's your answer? >> Parker Curry: Maybe. >> Jessica Curry: Which one? Do you think maybe first
lady, or maybe president? >> Parker Curry: First lady. >> Monica Valentine: Great. Here's a question from Leanne: Michelle Obama loves
to eat her veggies. Parker, what is your
favorite vegetable to eat? >> Parker Curry: Peas
and carrots and corn. >> Monica Valentine: Do
you have a favorite color? Lily asks. >> Parker Curry: Yes. Purple, pink, and
rainbow sparkles. >> Monica Valentine: [Laughs]. Clay has a question. More for you, Jessica. What is next for
Parker the author? >> Parker Curry:
Oh, I know that. >> Monica Valentine:
You know that, okay. >> Parker Curry: What's
next for the book? >> Monica Valentine: What's
next for you as an author? >> Parker Curry:
Oh, what's next? Well we're writing another book. It's called Parker Shines On. >> Jessica Curry: Oh, okay. Well, we are, we have
finished Parker's second book, and we are probably going to
be working on a third book. And we're also working on an
animated series for children. >> Monica Valentine: Wow,
that's a lot to look forward to. Okay, here's a question,
another question from Emily. Have you read Michelle Obama's
memoir, Becoming, and if so, how has her book as well as
she as a person inspired you? >> Jessica Curry:
For Parker or for me? >> Monica Valentine: Let's
give that one for you Jessica. >> Parker Curry: No. >> Jessica Curry: I did not
read it with my own eyes, I listened to it on audiobook,
because I'm a mommy [laughs] and I don't get to
read many books. >> Parker Curry: I
go online with her. [Laughs]. >> Jessica Curry: And
there were many parts of Michelle Obama's memoir
that obviously inspired me as a black woman
and as a mother. >> Parker Curry:
And as a daughter. >> Jessica Curry:
And as a daughter. But particularly as a
wife there were many parts that resonated with me. Because, I'm like,
I'm a young wife and marriage is difficult
and, but you have to give it your all, and
you have to be willing to face yourself and really
look at yourself and just try to be better for yourself
and for your partner so that you can be
the best you can be for your children as well. >> Monica Valentine:
Great answer. Vivian asks: Would you ever
collaborate with another author? >> Jessica Curry: Absolutely. >> Parker Curry: Yes. >> Jessica Curry: Yes. >> Parker Curry: Of course. Maybe like all the authors. >> Jessica Curry: Yeah, why not? The world needs more books. >> Monica Valentine:
Great, great. Karen asks what is your
favorite page in your book? >> Parker Curry:
Oh, I'll tell you. >> Jessica Curry: Oh, why don't
you tell, why don't you, okay. I will say you can show
what your favorite book is, what your favorite page is, and while you're finding
your favorite page. >> Parker Curry: This one. >> Jessica Curry: She
found it very quickly. This is her favorite page. The page of endless
possibilities. This is one of my
favorite pages, too. >> Parker Curry: My favorite
possibility is the dancing one. >> Jessica Curry: Your favorite
possibility is the dance, to be a dancer? >> Parker Curry: Yep. And this page is my favorite. >> Jessica Curry: Yes. My favorite page is... >> Parker Curry: This page. >> Jessica Curry: [Laughs]. She doesn't need me
anymore for these questions. >> Monica Valentine: Okay, well
we have another one for Parker. Lily asks: Parker do you
have a favorite book? >> Parker Curry: Oh, my
favorite book is this book. >> Jessica Curry: [Laughs]. Do you have another
favorite book Parker? >> Parker Curry: The Snowy Day. >> Jessica Curry: The
Snowy Day, a classic. >> Parker Curry: And good
night moon, and that's it. >> Jessica Curry: And Good
Night Moon, and that's it, okay. >> Monica Valentine: Okay. Continuing about
books, Denise asks: What other books
are you reading? >> Parker Curry:
What other books? Like all the books, in my home. >> Jessica Curry: Is there
any new book that you have in particular that
you really like? Is there anything up there? Sit down and answer
the question. Sit down answer the question. >> Parker Curry: Kamala
and Maya's Big Ideas. >> Monica Valentine: Oh, okay. And Jessica, Tracy
wants to know, what was your favorite
book as a child? >> Jessica Curry: My
favorite book as a child. I would say as a little, little girl my favorite book
was Go Dog Go, with my dad. And then, as I got older,
my favorite books were like the Adi American
Girl series. >> Parker Curry: Well, my
mom still does Go Dog Go. She still loves it. >> Jessica Curry: I
still love Go Dog Go. [Inaudible]. >> Monica Valentine: Let's see. And Tracy, you may have
addressed that, well, we've already addressed
that one. So, Sabrina says,
awe, she's so cute. She wants to know what other
images make a statement for Parker now just like the
portrait of Michelle Obama? >> Jessica Curry: What other, what are some other
inspirational women and imagery have you
seen that inspires you? I can already think of one off
top of my head, but I'll see if you can think of it. Were there any other women who inspire you that
you admire like. >> Parker Curry: Michelle Obama. >> Jessica Curry:
Michelle Obama, of course. But are there other women? Like maybe Misty? >> Parker Curry: You. >> Jessica Curry: Oh, thank you. >> Parker Curry: Miss Monica. >> Jessica Curry: Miss Monica. And what about? Oh, you, miss Monica. >> Monica Valentine:
Oh, I'm flattered. >> Parker Curry: Misty Copeland,
and a hundred books for you. >> Jessica Curry: Okay. >> Monica Valentine:
Okay, this question is from a fourth-grade class. The teacher's name is
Karen, and she asked, she says that we've read
your book this week. If you could be a book
character, who would you be? >> Parker Curry: I
would be Misty Copeland. >> Jessica Curry:
In the firebird? >> Parker Curry: Or mommy. >> Jessica Curry: I'm only
in one book, which is yours. >> Monica Valentine: Katie asks:
Did you all work very closely with the illustrator
of the book? How did you find each other? The art is spectacular. >> Parker Curry: The art? >> Jessica Curry: Brittany
Jackson is our illustrator. We... >> Parker Curry: Simon
and Schuster illustrated. >> Jessica Curry: Well, Simon
and Schuster is responsible for connecting us with Brittany. We have a brilliant book editor,
Karen Nagle, and she worked with Simon and Schuster's art
department to find Brittany. And yes, the illustrations are
magical, they are beautiful. And they are the reason
that book readers everywhere who have read Parker Looks Up really feel the
magic of that moment. >> Parker Curry: We
went to New York, and we stayed were Karen grew
up because we didn't know where to stay in New York. I go to New York
like three times. >> Jessica Curry: Wow. Well, guess what? We have another class
of second graders from Washington D.C. tuning in. And this question is from Sasha. She wants to know if you have
any advice for young authors who want to share their story? >> Parker Curry: Oh,
an easy question. >> Jessica Curry: No, no,
what would you say for authors and young children
who are like you, who may want to write a story. What would you say to them? >> Parker Curry: I would
say work hard with your mom. >> Jessica Curry: That's
a pretty good answer. >> Monica Valentine:
Good answer. Lily asks: Parker, if you could
have any pet, what would it be? >> Jessica Curry: Oh, gosh. >> Parker Curry: A dog. >> Jessica Curry: A dog. >> Monica Valentine: Here's
an interesting one from Judy, and maybe you can
both answer this. What is your superpower
my superpower? >> Parker Curry: My
superpower is writing a book. [Laughter]. >> Jessica Curry:
What is my superpower? Or what do I think
Parker's superpower is? >> Monica Valentine: Maybe
both, you can answer both. >> Jessica Curry: My superpower. What is my superpower? >> Parker Curry:
Writing a book, too. >> Jessica Curry: Well, no. My superpower. I would say my optimism
is my super power. >> Parker Curry: What
does that mean, mom? >> Jessica Curry: I
am very optimistic. I always see the
best in situations, and hope for the
best in situations. And I think that being
optimistic is powerful. >> Parker Curry:
I'm ostimistic and, and my superpower is being a
opsimisic and writing a book. >> Monica Valentine:
Okay, great. Okay, Julia has a similar
question but slightly different. If you could have a
superpower, what would it be? So, what would you wish
for as a superpower if you could pick one? >> Parker Curry:
This is the easiest. I would say my superpower would
be to carry my grandfather. >> Jessica Curry: So,
to be super strong. >> Parker Curry: And carry you. >> Monica Valentine: Okay, we have another question
from Sharon. The question is: What
do you want to be when you grow up, Parker? >> Parker Curry: What do I
want to be when I grow up? I want to be a prima ballerina. That's the answer I give
to my mommy when you ask's. >> Jessica Curry: So, what's
the real answer, though? >> Parker Curry: The
real answer I would be, I'm going to be the first
black woman to go to the moon. >> Jessica Curry: Wow. >> Monica Valentine: Okay. We talked about the moon here's
another interesting question. To both of you, if
you were on an island, and could only eat one
food, what would it be? >> Parker Curry: A plum. >> Jessica Curry: Oh,
it'd be mango for me. >> Parker Curry: Mango and plum. [Laughter]. >> Monica Valentine: All right, Karen now has a question
from third graders. How did you get your dress? Do you watch StoryBots? >> Parker Curry:
What are [inaudible]? >> Jessica Curry: Do
you watch StoryBots? You used to watch
it a while ago. StoryBots, on Netflix. >> Parker Curry: Storybooks? >> Jessica Curry: She hasn't
watched it in a while, but she did watch it
briefly for a time. And we got the dress, you know, like after Parker said
she wanted to be Michelle for Halloween, I reached out
to the children's designer and she sent me one of the
mini Milli dresses for Parker. Yes, darling I see your hand is
up, what would you like to add? >> Parker Curry: It's
something for Miss Monica. >> Jessica Curry: Well, let's finish asking the
questions that miss Monica has. >> Monica Valentine: Okay, I
do have one: Do you believe, Jessica, that your book
appeals to a specific audience? And do you think, did you
think about that audience when you were writing it? >> Parker Curry: Yes. >> Jessica Curry: [Laughs]. Guys, is the kid going to
let me answer anything? I was definitely thinking,
much like Michelle Obama, thinking of little brown girls,
and little girls of color like Parker who you
don't, you know, traditionally see represented
in the art and in media. But I think that the book
appeals to everybody, and that's you know,
driving home those themes that you should dream
good dreams, that anything is possible. And you should look to
representations of yourself in terms of people who are doing
great things to inspire you. I think it's [inaudible]
everyone. >> Monica Valentine: Great. Judy has a question. She wants to know
who would play you in the movie about your life? >> Jessica Curry: Which actress
would you like to play you? >> Parker Curry: What
do you mean [inaudible]? >> Jessica Curry: Like if
there was a movie about Parker, who would be you in the movie? >> Monica Valentine: Jessica
you could answer that as well? >> Parker Curry:
Who would be me? >> Jessica Curry: Parker. >> Parker Curry: Gia. >> Jessica Curry: No,
not, no it's an actress. >> Jessica Curry: Probably. >> Parker Curry: Michelle Obama. >> Jessica Curry: I would say
Marsai Martin, but she's getting so much older, too, now. I don't know. That's a big issue, right? We should know who like the up
and coming little girls of color who are actresses are. I'm not sure. >> Monica Valentine: Yeah. Maybe we haven't seen her yet,
maybe we haven't seen it yet. >> Jessica Curry:
Probably, I don't know. She has another question, okay? >> Monica Valentine: What do you
most hope that readers will gain from reading Parker Looks Up? >> Parker Curry: What
does that mean, mommy? >> Jessica Curry: What
do we want the people who read our book to
feel, or to think? [ Inaudible ] >> Parker Curry: My book, they'd
be [inaudible] and like it, love it, and I think I
want them [inaudible]. >> Jessica Curry:
To be inspired? [ Inaudible ] Yeah Parker, says that a
lot, will ask that question. She hopes, I know that
her personal hopes are that other people and other
little children will be inspired to write a book the way she did. Because she was, she got to
be involved in the process, it was very exciting for her
to see ideas down on paper, and then see the illustrations. For me personally, I hope that the book will
inspire a number of things. That will inspire moms
to keep dreaming because, just because you've had
children doesn't mean that you know life ends and
because to become an author for me was certainly a dream. And I wouldn't necessarily
have dreamed that dream without Parker. Could you sit in
your chair, please? I also hope that the
book will inspire parents to take their children to
museums, into art galleries, and to expose them to things
like that, as you would, you couldn't believe how
many people were just so flabbergasted taking my
two-year-old to the museum. But that was part of our
everyday life, not something that we just [inaudible], wasn't
out of the ordinary for us. And I hope that it
also inspires parents to inspire their children,
instill in their children that they can do
whatever they want to do, and be whatever they want to be. No matter their age, their race,
no matter where they come from. >> Monica Valentine:
Nice answer. So, Parker, this one is for
you, it comes from Katie: What are you learning
in school right now? >> Parker Curry: I'm
learning Chinese. >> Monica Valentine: Wow. >> Jessica Curry: Actually, she's learning in
Chinese, entirely. She's in a [inaudible]. >> Parker Curry: I'm
learning Chinese. That's the answer. It's not for you. >> Jessica Curry: Okay. The question wasn't for me. >> Monica Valentine: [Laughing]. This one is for you, Jessica. How are you, and this comes
from Tracy: How are you doing with Parker having
school at home? >> Jessica Curry: You know, I
will tell you -- oh, thank you. Doing good? If she says I'm doing
good, I'm doing good. Like I said, Parker is learning,
she's learning Chinese, she's also learning in Chinese. Her and her sister are in a Chinese Mandarin
immersion program, and they've done a beautiful
job pivoting to a virtual -- can you sit up for
me, [inaudible]? Pivoting to a virtual
learning setting. I am grateful that I was
able to create a safe, comfortable learning space
for them here at home. And I'm tired, I'm real tired;
it's real busy over here, you know, having a pre-k
[inaudible] and a kindergartner. Keeping up with both of
their schedules, it's a lot. But I'm grateful
for the opportunity because I'm actually
learning Mandarin, and that's extremely exciting because you know I wouldn't
otherwise have the opportunity to learn alongside them. So, we're grateful, I'm grateful
that they're just healthy and happy, and adjusting. Children are resilient, and they
have proven that in this time. >> Monica Valentine: Yes, yes. Okay, one more question
from crystal. I love your reading corner. Do you have any suggestions
for what to do since we cannot visit
the library right now? My three-year-old misses
his time out of the house. >> Parker Curry: Momma, this
answer is for me, right? >> Jessica Curry: Well,
it's for both of us. You can answer. >> Parker Curry: My answer is
you can, they can ask your mom to buy them books, like
I have books up here. I have three bookshelves. I have one up here, three
up here, and one downstairs with a lot of books
for four corners. So, you can [inaudible]
mommy to buy a lot of books like the library. A big bookshelf. >> Jessica Curry: Thanks. Can I answer now, too? >> Parker Curry: Of course. >> Jessica Curry: Of
course, thank you. So, like Parker was saying, we
miss going to the library, too. And just going to
the bookstore a lot. So, thank you for the compliment
on this little reading corner. In addition to this one,
when the school year started, I created them a little
reading nook with their Chinese and Mandarin books, and then
they also have another reading calming corner in their
play area that has books. And I think that is special,
because it's like they can go to different places,
different spots in the house. Since we can't go
to the library, we can't go to the library
of congress, and we can't go to all these places where
we would otherwise have the opportunity to read
tons of books. I know it's not feasible for
everyone to go and order five or ten books every single
week to keep it fresh. But I would definitely recommend
going to your local library and renting books, and rotating
them, and keeping them fresh. And I buy a lot of books, but
we end up giving a lot away after we've read them a
certain number of times, just because we have so many. So, share, definitely. I would say connect with
your other parent friends and swap out books. And their grandparents have a
pretty nice children's library, so we'd switch books
between the two households like that sometimes, too. >> Monica Valentine:
Good advice. Okay, well we are
coming up on the end. I think we have time
for one more question. And this is from another
second-grade-class in D.C. Marcia sends
in this question. What does it feel
like to see yourself in a book you helped write? >> Parker Curry: It feels great! That was a question
for me or for my mom? >> Jessica Curry: Monica, [inaudible] getting a little
possessive over these questions. >> Monica Valentine: [Laughter]. You can both answer. >> Jessica Curry: Yeah,
well you said it was great to see yourself in a book. And for me, I was just
wowed by the illustrations. When I saw myself, I was like
oh it really looks like me. So, it's really cool,
it's still pretty surreal. And we're excited about the
next book, which is coming out in the fall of 2021. I'm in that book alongside
Parker and her brother, her new baby brothers
in the book. And ava is again in this book, and she was in the first
book with dad, too. So, we're really excited. It's been exciting
to see ourselves as illustrated characters. Yes, darling? >> Parker Curry: You said I
could have my chocolate milk [inaudible] the meeting. >> Jessica Curry: Yeah, you
can have your chocolate milk as soon as we're done. >> Monica Valentine: Well,
this one is for you Jessica. We've got one more,
and this is from colin. Well, from Karen, submitting
the question for colin. How many books have you sold? >> Parker Curry: I don't know. >> Jessica Curry: Oh. So, I hope that Simon and
Schuster will be mad at me if I say this, but I will I
will give a broad number just because I don't know
if I'm allowed to share that information. But we have sold
over 50,000 copies. >> Monica Valentine: Congratulations on
all your success. You mentioned the book
that's coming up soon, what is the title of, do
you know what the title of the next book will be? Judy asks that. >> Parker Curry:
Parker Signs On. >> Jessica Curry:
Parker Signs On. Very cool. Very cool. Well, we are out of time, we've come to the
end of our questions. Parker and Jessica Curry,
I'd like to thank you for sharing your time
with us so generously. We've been speaking with
Parker and Jessica Curry; whose latest book
is Parker Looks Up. You can find their
presentation on the stage at thenationalbookfestival.com. Thanks to our audience
out here, and we hope all of you will take the time to
explore our many programs, and enjoy the rest of the
National Book Festival. [ Music ]
