Jessie Sima author page

Jessie Sima Biography

Jessie Sima is an American author and illustrator known for creating whimsical and heartfelt picture books. They debuted in 2017 with Not Quite Narwhal, which became a New York Times bestseller and was later adapted into an animated series by DreamWorks Animation for Netflix.

Raised in a small town in southern New Jersey, Sima pursued a degree in anthropology but maintained a strong interest in art. After college, they worked at a preschool and explored various creative avenues, including graphic design and t-shirt illustration. Their passion for storytelling led them to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), where they developed their skills and connected with industry professionals.

Sima’s body of work includes titles such as Harriet Gets Carried Away (2018), Love, Z (2018), Spencer’s New Pet (2019), Jules vs. the Ocean (2020), Hardly Haunted (2021), Perfectly Pegasus (2022), Weather Together (2023), and Cookie Time (2024). They also illustrated Snow Pony and the Seven Miniature Ponies (2018), written by Christian Trimmer.

Working primarily in digital media, Sima combines expressive characters with engaging narratives. Their stories often explore themes of identity, belonging, and imagination, resonating with young readers and educators alike.