The award-winning picture book biography of the late, great James Marshall—illustrator of Miss Nelson is Missing and the George and Martha series—as clever, delightful, and daring as Jim himself, and featuring detailed backmatter, including a robust author’s note and timeline.

Author and illustrator James Marshall let kids in on the joke. He knew little kids were smart, and he didn't talk down to them in his stories. He was right—kids loved his picture books. Decades after his death, the characters he illustrated—Miss Nelson, Viola Swamp, George and Martha, Goldilocks, Fox and His Friends—are still beloved. James Marshall should be at least as famous as his characters, and now he is, in his own picture book biography. Created in an irreverent style inspired by James Marshall's own art and storytelling, this delightful biography, featuring James as a fox, celebrates in both form and content what made James—“Jim” to his friends—so talented, funny, and special, and what has made his tales last. This time, Jim is the main character.

“Funny and filled with [insights.]” —Booklist, starred review
“A better bio of Jim could hardly exist.” —Kirkus, starred review
“Poignantly, comically human.” —Publishers Weekly
“Extraordinarily tender and clever.” —BCCB, starred review
“Full of heart and humor . . . Wonderful.” —SLJ, starred review