James Stevenson (July 11, 1929 – February 17, 2017) was an American illustrator and author of over 100 children's books. His cartoons appeared regularly in The New Yorker magazine. He usually used a unique comic book style of illustration that is very recognizable. His books, like What's Under My Bed, have been featured on the Reading Rainbow television series.

Biography

James Stevenson was born in New York City and educated at Yale University, where he was the feature editor of campus humor magazine The Yale Record. He contributed his first cartoon to The New Yorker on March 10, 1956. James Stevenson wrote and illustrated his first book Walker, the Witch, and the Striped Flying Saucer in 1969. He had previously illustrated the children's book If I Owned a Candy Factory (1968) written by his then eight-year-old son, James Walker Stevenson.

Awards

Select bibliography

Children's books

Grandpa, Mary Ann and Louie series

A series of tales told by a grandfather character to his grandchildren. Usually containing outrageous and unbelievable tales:

Emma series

Featuring Emma, a good witch, and her nemeses Dolores and Lavinia:

The Worst series

Featuring a crotchety old man:

Mr. Frimdimpny series

These books feature the alligator Mr. Frimdimpny who has rules about no laughing:

Mud Flat Friends series

Autobiographical and reminiscent picture book series

A series of books illustrated in a softer watercolor style:

Young Adult novels

Poetry

Collections of James Stevenson's poetry, illustrated by himself.

Cartoons collections

Novels

Illustrations for other authors

Illustrations for Judy Blume

The following books by Judy Blume feature cover artwork and inner illustrations by James Stevenson:

Illustrations for Janet Schulman

James Stevenson illustrated three of Janet Schulman's Jack the Bum series:

Illustrations for Helen V. Griffith

James Stevenson illustrated a few of Helen V. Griffith's books:

Helen V. Griffith's Grandaddy trilogy

All illustrated by James Stevenson:

Illustrations for Jack Prelutsky

The following books of children's poetry by Jack Prelutsky are illustrated by James Stevenson: