Jim Benton

Jim is the author and illustrator of Dear Dumb Diary®, a New York Times Bestselling series which has sold nearly 10 million books, and is printed in more than a dozen languages. He also co-wrote and produced a made-for-tv musical based on the series. He’s the creator of many licensed properties, including It’s Happy Bunny®, the licensing hit that has generated over ¾ of a billion dollars at retail. The It’s Happy Bunny books have been chosen three times by the American Librarians Association as their top picks for teen readers, and It’s Happy Bunny programs have taken top awards from the Licensing Industry Merchandising Association five times. Jim’s anti-drug program for middle school kids for The Partnership for a Drug-Free America has won three Addy awards and a Governor’s Award. Jim’s series Franny K. Stein™, has sold over five million books, and is in more than 15 languages and Braille. The National cartoonist Society (NCS) awarded Jim with two divisional Reuben awards. The End (Almost), Benton’s first picture book, was recently awarded a NAPPA gold award (National Parenting Publication Award.) Jim’s book Dog Butts and Love. And Stuff Like That. And Cats. was nominated for an Eisner Award and has a sequel titled Man, I Hate Cursive coming out this fall. Other upcoming projects include a new young reader series, two more board books, and a new gift book. To learn more about Jim, visit him at www.jimbenton.com