Jim Paillot

I like this old picture of me because the school photographer told me to open the book to a colorful page. So, I opened it to a bunch of flags. That made the photographer unreasonably happy.

Back when this picture was taken I wanted to grow up to be a super hero or Tarzan. Later, I realized, that at no point did my resume stack up to let those dreams become a reality. But I had a solid back up plan - to keep drawing goofy pictures to entertain myself.

Now that I am technically a grown up, I get to follow my passion for drawing and creating funny art all day.

I'm the guy responsible for the pictures in the popular My Weird School series. I also create lots of art for many other books, magazines, toys, and games for kids.

My family and I live in Arizona where we are often visited by animals seeking our counsel. Coyotes, javelinas, owls, hawks, and feral cats. Every spring, two ducks show up at our front door. The girl duck quacks at the door until we step outside to feed them. They come by every day for about six weeks. This is all 100% true and we love them.

Awards: 

A winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, my artwork has also been honored at the Society of Illustrators, New York and The Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles.

A Member of SCBWI (The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators)

I'm Involved! Memberships:

The Society Against Cutting Other People's Meat

The League of Nine-fingered Knife Sharpeners

The Monks with Lobster Claws Instead of Hands Foundation

National Association of Beady-Eyed Neighbors

School Visits:

I have done many school visits. My presentations include drawing with students, talking about being an illustrator, how books are made, and how kids can follow their own creative path. I keep it light and fun and encourage questions. Sometimes the presentations include the whole school and sometimes 1-3 smaller sessions with various age/grade groups. Because many schools have a particular agenda and school sizes and needs vary, I don’t have a set fee. The factors that I consider are where the school is and how many presentations the school needs.