Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment

Recommended Ages: 4-8

Written by Parker Curry and Jessica Curry. Illustrated by Brittany Jackson.

When Parker Curry stood before Amy Sherald’s striking portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery, she didn’t just see the First Lady. She saw a queen—exuding confidence, elegance, beauty, and truth—who captured Parker's imagination in a way she would never forget. When a nearby museumgoer took a photo of Parker, mesmerized by the painting, it quickly became a viral sensation. 

Inspired by that moment, Parker and her mother, Jessica Curry, share a heartfelt story in this moving picture book. Parker Looks Up follows Parker, her baby sister, her mother, and her best friend Gia on their museum visit. As they explore the galleries, they encounter artwork of figures like George Washington Carver, Frida Kahlo, vibrant flowers, and graceful ballerinas. But it’s when Parker approaches Sherald’s portrait of Michelle Obama that something remarkable happens. She stops...and looks up. 

In that instant, Parker saw her own possibilities, aspirations, and dreams reflected in Michelle Obama's powerful portrait. What began as an ordinary museum visit transformed into a life-changing experience—a moment of inspiration and empowerment that continues to resonate. As Jessica Curry says, "Anything is possible, regardless of race, class, or gender."