Todd Parr was born on July 9, 1962. In 1995 he moved to San Francisco, California where he pursued a career as an artist. After being rejected by many galleries, he showed his artwork at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant Postrio. This exhibit led to him creating merchandise for Macy's and his own children's clothing line. He is the author and illustrator of over 30 children's books which contain simple messages about acceptance, difference, and empowerment including The Thankful Book. In 2005 the preschool television show he created, ToddWorld, premiered on TLC and Discovery Kids.