Sometimes, Todd Parr writes about underwear or hair. Sometimes he writes about families or being different. But in all of Parr’s books, he tries to give kids the sense that they are OK.

“Everything I do is simply about making kids feel good and normal,” said Parr.

And he manages to do so with a fun flair and without overtly preachy messages.

Parr’s unique style has caught on and he has published 32 children’s books and has an animated TV show called “ToddWorld.”

Kids from Central Oregon will get to meet Parr, 46, at several local events, including a free program at the Tower Theatre on Saturday (see “If you go” on Page E3). The event is part of the Deschutes Public Library system’s StoryStars! program, which brings children’s authors to Central Oregon each summer.

The library invited Parr because he writes feel-good books that promote early literacy, according to Heather McNeil, youth services coordinator for the Deschutes Public Library system.

“The books make children feel positive and empowered,” said McNeil.

She likes that Parr’s work isn’t too heavy-handed or didactic, instead spreading upbeat messages through fun and silly illustrations and words.

Parr, who lives in Berkeley, Calif., grew up in a small town in Wyoming. He always loved to paint but didn’t receive much encouragement.

He says his abilities never progressed beyond that of a child, and he received poor grades in art and his work never got hung in the hallways.

But he still loved to express himself through art. He was drawn to creating simple bright images and characters, outlined in black.

After high school, he tried a few random jobs, but eventually came back to art. His style was still very much the same, simple figures outlined in black with bright colors. He usually picked words or messages to go with his images.

Parr faced a lot of rejection in the art world, but eventually found his niche in children’s merchandising. Macy’s designed a series of T-shirts using his artwork.

With this success, Parr held a show in New York City featuring his original paintings. A book editor attended the show and approached Parr about doing a children’s book.

Parr had never thought about that possibility and at first didn’t think he was qualified.

“I barely made it through school,” said Parr.

But he decided to give it a try. He created a series for four small books, “Dos and Don’ts,” “The Okay Book,” “This is My Hair,” and “Things That Make You Feel Good.”

With every one of those books, and every book since, Parr had the same goal: “I wanted to empower kids to feel good about themselves.”

But he does so with a sense of fun and without too much syrup or sweetness.

For instance, in his book “It’s Okay to be Different,” one page shows a boy in a wheelchair with the caption “It’s okay to have wheels.”

Some books might want to approach this topic by explaining why the little boy has to be in a wheelchair and talk about illness. Parr’s approach is simply to say, it’s OK to have wheels.

Parr’s three most popular books are “It’s Okay to be Different,” “The Family Book” and “The Peace Book.”

Early next year, he will release two new books, “The Earth Book” and “The I Love You Book.”

Parr resisted at first when someone suggest he do a book about love. But he found a way to make the subject fit.

He says the illustrations include “I love you when you lose my keys” and “I love you when you’re stinky.” The overall message is “No matter what, I love you,” but he showcases the silly or negative stuff associated with kids, rather than focusing on sweetness.

Parr doesn’t have any children of his own and in many ways he thinks that distance helps him. Instead of thinking of his children, he thinks back to his own childhood. This keeps him from getting too sentimental.

Parr’s biggest goal is to promote diversity. He has worked with the Paralympics and includes all kinds of families and people in his work.

Sometimes this can attract controversy. In “The Family Book,” Parr includes images of kids with two dads and two moms, something that drew heat from social conservatives.

He doesn’t think of this inclusion as a political statement, but a reflection of reality. “It’s out there. I didn’t invent it.”

Parr wants to help all kids feel good in part because of his own memories of growing up in a small town. He felt trapped and misunderstood. His inspiration is to give kids like himself “some sense of hope.”

And a big dose of fun.

If you go

What: StoryStars! Todd Parr talks and draws

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Tower Theatre, 835 N.W. Wall St., Bend

Cost: Free, but tickets required. Tickets can be obtained at any local Deschutes Public Library system branch. There is a limit of five tickets per family.

Contact: 541-617-7097

What: Casual Conversation with Todd Parr, for adults interested in creating and publishing children’s books

When: 4 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bend Public Library, 601 N.W. Wall St., Bend

Cost: Free, registration required

Contact: 541-617-7097

What: Todd Parr book signings

When and Where: 11 a.m. Sunday at Paulina Springs Books, 422 S.W. Sixth St., Redmond; 541-526-1491; and 2 p.m. Sunday at Between the Covers, 645 N.W. Delaware Ave., Bend; 541-385-4766

Cost: Free