Illustrator & Author Profile
James Stevenson
8 Books
James Stevenson was a prolific American author, illustrator, and cartoonist whose work frequently appeared in The New Yorker. In the realm of children's literature, he wrote and illustrated over a hundred of his own picture books, including 'Emma' and the beloved 'Grandpa' series. He is also deeply remembered for his lively illustrations in Jack Prelutsky's iconic poetry collections and Judy Blume's 'The Pain and the Great One'.
Books in "Grandpa"
When sleep will not come, Grandpa has a very unusual solution. It is not a glass of water, a lullaby, or counting sheep. It is something much stranger, and somehow his cure for sleeplessness begins to work on more than just Grandpa.
We Can’t Sleep is a gently funny bedtime story from James Stevenson’s Grandpa series. The story has the cozy feeling of a family visit, with just enough silliness to make nighttime feel less serious. Young readers who know the frustration of lying awake will enjoy watching Grandpa turn a common bedtime problem into a comic family moment, told with Stevenson’s dry humor and warm illustrations.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Mary Ann and Louie are ready for Halloween frights, but Grandpa is impossible to scare. Masks, tricks, and spooky surprises do not seem to work on him at all. Then Grandpa explains that he has not been easily frightened since one terrible Halloween night long ago.
As the children listen, Grandpa begins one of his wild old stories, this time wrapped in Halloween shadows and comic suspense. James Stevenson keeps the mood just scary enough for young readers, with plenty of humor to soften the shivers. This Grandpa picture book is a lively pick for children who enjoy spooky seasonal stories that are more funny than frightening.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Grandpa once had a garden that was almost too good. At least, that is how the story begins when he tells Mary Ann and Louie about the year his brother Wainey helped him plant. With Wainey involved, a simple garden is not likely to stay simple for long.
This gentle comic picture book brings together family storytelling, childhood mischief, and the small surprises of growing things. James Stevenson’s dry humor makes Grandpa’s memory feel both old-fashioned and fresh, while the garden setting gives young readers something familiar to picture. It is a warm choice for children who like funny family stories, outdoor settings, and the way one helpful person can accidentally make everything more interesting.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Grandpa never seems excited. A flat tire, a ruined sofa, a bad day at the house—he always answers with the same calm words: Could be worse. To Mary Ann and Louie, that makes him seem dull, until one morning he tells a story that is anything but ordinary.
Could Be Worse! is a classic Grandpa tale full of dry humor and wild exaggeration. James Stevenson begins with everyday family moments, then lets Grandpa’s storytelling stretch into a grand adventure. Young readers will enjoy the contrast between Grandpa’s quiet manner and the outrageous tale he shares, while adults will recognize the book’s clever rhythm and understated comic style.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
After a scary story, Mary Ann and Louie cannot settle down. The dark feels too dark, bedtime feels too long, and the space under the bed seems full of possibilities they would rather not imagine. Grandpa understands, because he remembers being frightened at bedtime when he was young.
In this funny and reassuring Grandpa story, James Stevenson turns nighttime fear into something children can look at, laugh about, and talk through. The story keeps its spooky feeling gentle, making it well suited for readers who enjoy a little suspense without being overwhelmed. It is a warm picture book about family comfort, bedtime worries, and the strange power of imagination after lights-out.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Mary Ann and Louie are worried about moving to a new neighborhood. New streets can feel lonely, and the thought of having no friends is hard to shake. Grandpa knows that feeling, too, so he tells them about a time when he and his brother moved and had to meet new children themselves.
No Friends is a warm Grandpa story about one of childhood’s biggest worries: finding where you belong. James Stevenson treats the fear gently, using memory, humor, and family storytelling to make the problem feel less heavy. Young readers facing a move, a new class, or a new group will recognize Mary Ann and Louie’s concern and enjoy Grandpa’s old story of uncertain beginnings.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Mary Ann and Louie are not impressed with their new baby brother. Willy is noisy, helpless, and not much fun to play with. When they complain to Grandpa, he has a story ready: his own baby brother was once even worse.
Worse Than Willy! is a funny family picture book about the mixed feelings that can come with a new baby. James Stevenson uses Grandpa’s storytelling to help young readers laugh at jealousy, disappointment, and the strange adjustment of sharing family attention. The result is warm without being preachy, making it a useful and entertaining choice for children who are learning how a younger sibling can change everyday life.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
At Easter, Grandpa remembers the year he set out to find a truly special egg for his friend Charlotte. Not just a pretty egg, or a big egg, but the great big especially beautiful Easter egg. In Grandpa’s telling, a simple holiday search becomes a much larger adventure.
James Stevenson brings his familiar mix of warmth, dry humor, and tall-tale energy to this Grandpa story. Young readers can enjoy the Easter setting, the sense of quest, and the way Grandpa turns a childhood memory into something grand and surprising. It is a cheerful seasonal picture book for children who like family stories with a playful adventure tucked inside.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
