What were you doing in 3rd grade? Maybe learning your times tables, chasing fly balls, or turning into a snowman on the ski slopes. That’s pretty much Parker Kono’s life too—except he’s added one more thing to the mix: he’s a published author. Yep, while most grown-ups are still saying “someday,” Parker’s already living the dream with two books under his belt and a whole lot of imagination to spare.

At just eight years old, Parker wrote and published The Big Pig, and its sequel The Big Pig Jumps, part of his whimsical series, The Tales of the Big Pig. The stories are packed with playful charm and goofy fun—perfect for kids (and their parents) who love a good laugh. And it all started with a spark of inspiration at Sacred Heart School’s Young Author’s Day. “I was making up a book on paper and I thought, what if I published it?” Parker said. “That’s how I realized I wanted to try.”

Publishing a book might sound like a big, grown-up task—but Parker made it look easy (and way more fun than homework). Step one? Ask Mom. “I wrote my book on scrap paper and then asked my mom if she could help me make it look like a real book, like the kind you see in stores,” he explained. Together, they used an app called Canva to lay out the pages and pick out illustrations. Parker says choosing silly, goofy pictures was the best part. Once everything was ready, they uploaded it to Amazon, and just like that, Parker officially became an author.

Parker’s books are silly, clever, and all about animals, rivalries, courage, and (of course) teamwork.

Parker’s stories might sound simple, but they’re packed with heart and a whole lot of silliness. That was no accident. “I don’t know, I just thought up the idea and thought it was funny,” he said with a grin. Humor was a must-have from the start. Even though his books are still fresh off the press, Parker’s already getting rave reviews. “I have one 5-star review on Amazon from my friend Declan’s mom,” he said proudly. Her review? Pure gold:

“This was a great read with wonderful illustrations. My children loved it and found it very funny and entertaining. They are excited to see what other books Mr. Kono will be coming out with!” —Lauren G., Declan’s Mom

So far, Parker has sold about 15 copies of each book. Not bad for a kid who’s also juggling baseball practice, ski trips, golf, and reading marathons. We say, let’s help him sell even more! As for what’s next, Parker’s keeping things open. “I’m not sure if I’ll write any more books as of now,” he admitted. “I’m pretty active in a lot of stuff, but if I get bored, I might write again.” Still, he’s got one goal in mind: finish the Big Pig series with four books total. After that? Who knows. Parker says he’s not planning to be a full-time author—unless, of course, the funny ideas keep coming.

For kids who might want to follow in his footsteps, Parker’s advice is simple (and smart). Sometimes the best ideas don’t come from overthinking, they come from the things you already love. “Think of something that you like and then build upon it from there," says Parker.

If you’re curious to read The Big Pig or The Big Pig Jumps, both are available now on Amazon. Whether you’re 8 years old or 80, these tales of courage, friendship, and funny farm animals are sure to brighten your day. And who knows? Maybe the next time Parker gets “bored,” we’ll see Book 3 in The Tales of the Big Pig series. Until then, we’ll keep cheering him on!