Maria Parr (b.1981) is a celebrated children’s writer known for her engaging and emotionally resonant stories. She studied Nordic Languages and Literature at the University of Bergen and holds a Master’s degree in the same field.

Parr debuted in 2005 with «Vaffelhjarte» (published in English as «Waffle Hearts»), which was nominated for the Brage Prize and won the Nynorsk Children’s Literature Prize. The book was later adapted into a popular Norwegian television series. Her second novel, «Tonje Glimmerdal» (published in English as «Astrid the Unstoppable»), won the Brage Prize and the Norwegian Critics» Prize in 2009.

Parr’s work has been widely acclaimed and awarded. She has received the LUCHS award 2010 in Germany, and the Dutch Zilveren Griffel, among others. Her novel «Keeperen og havet» (published in English as «Lena, the Sea, and Me») also won the Brage Prize in 2017. Most recently, her book «Oskar og eg» won the Brage Prize for the best children’s and youth book in 2023, marking her third win of this prestigious award.

Parr’s writing is praised for its emotional depth and engaging storytelling. The «Süddeutsche Zeitung» described her work as «a mixture of tension, comedy, and grief as well, told with a lot of emotion and with bubbly dialogues,» offering readers a convincing heroine who experiences life without didactic lessons. In the U.S., her novel «Adventures with Waffles» was noted by «Kirkus» for being «filled with both rollicking escapades and poignant moments».

Parr’s latest novel, «Oskar og eg,» has achieved significant international success, with rights sold to 20 countries and plans for a TV series adaptation. This book has further solidified her reputation as a masterful storyteller capable of crafting universal stories that resonate with both children and adults. In addition to her literary achievements, Parr was nominated for the Bookseller’s Prize in 2023 and, in 2024, for the Nordic Council Children and Young People’s Literature Prize alongside illustrator Åshild Irgens. .