Jim Benton

Jim Benton is a bestselling author, illustrator, and cartoonist known for his humorous and widely popular children's and young adult series. He gained prominence with the "Dear Dumb Diary®" series, a New York Times Bestseller that has sold nearly 10 million copies and been translated into over a dozen languages. Benton also co-wrote and produced a television musical adaptation of the series. His "Franny K. Stein™" series has similarly achieved commercial success, selling over five million books and appearing in more than 15 languages, including Braille. Additionally, Benton created "It’s Happy Bunny®", a licensing phenomenon that has generated over three-quarters of a billion dollars in retail sales.

Benton began his career as a cartoonist and illustrator, contributing to magazines and newspapers before transitioning into book publishing and licensed merchandise. His early work included designing characters for greeting cards and creating animated series such as "The Secret Files of the Spy Dogs", which aired on Fox Kids. Known for his sharp wit and relatable humor, Benton has received multiple accolades, including two divisional Reuben Awards from the National Cartoonists Society (NCS). His picture book "The End (Almost)" earned a NAPPA Gold Award, while "Dog Butts and Love. And Stuff Like That. And Cats." was nominated for an Eisner Award.

Beyond his literary achievements, Benton has contributed to public service initiatives, such as an anti-drug program for middle school students in collaboration with The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which won three Addy Awards and a Governor’s Award. His licensed properties, including "The Misters" and "Just Jimmy", have further cemented his reputation as a versatile creator. Benton continues to expand his body of work with upcoming projects, including a new young reader series, board books, and a sequel to "Dog Butts and Love". He resides in Michigan, where he operates his own studio.