Picture a whimsical storyteller who turned childhood doodles into enchanting children’s books—meet Jaime Zollars! This American author and illustrator has captivated young readers with her imaginative tales and vibrant artwork, blending fairy-tale charm with heartfelt themes. From her debut picture book to intricate middle-grade covers, Zollars’s work invites kids to embrace curiosity and conquer fears.
With a knack for spinning magic from everyday moments, Zollars has illustrated beloved series like Greenglass House and penned her own stories, like The Truth About Dragons. Her journey from drawing unicorns for nickels to earning accolades from the Society of Illustrators is as colorful as her art. Let’s dive into the world of Jaime Zollars!
The Making of Jaime Zollars
Jaime Zollars’s artistic spark ignited in childhood, when she drew unicorns on friends’ Trapper Keepers for shiny nickels in second grade. Growing up with a love for fairy tales and Flemish painters, she honed her craft through local library brochures and student council posters. Zollars formalized her passion with a BA in photography from UMBC (1999) and a BFA in illustration from the Art Center College of Design (2003). While awaiting her big break in Los Angeles, she moonlighted as a movie extra, ran a marathon, and even appeared on five game shows—a testament to her adventurous spirit!
Jaime Zollars’s Unforgettable Stories
Zollars’s portfolio brims with enchanting works, particularly in children’s literature. Her debut as both author and illustrator, The Truth About Dragons (2020), follows a child navigating a castle of misunderstood dragons, symbolizing the thrill and fear of new experiences. Its tender narrative and lush illustrations earned praise for encouraging young readers to face the unknown with courage.
As an illustrator, Zollars shines in Kate Milford’s Greenglass House series, where her evocative covers and 36 interior illustrations bring dusty bookshops and magical mysteries to life. She also illustrated Claire Legrand’s Foxheart and Thornlight, crafting detailed maps and whimsical creatures like baby griffins. Her style—infused with found textures, forgotten paper, and digital finesse—creates a timeless, storybook feel that resonates with middle-grade adventurers.
Zollars’s versatility extends to other works, like Lena Coakley’s Wicked Nix, where her black-and-white interiors capture fairy-tale intrigue, and Cakes and Miracles, which earned a Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor. Her art, recognized by American Illustration and Communication Arts, blends nostalgia with modern flair, making every page a visual journey.
Why Jaime Zollars Matters
Jaime Zollars’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that empower young readers. Her themes of courage, imagination, and self-discovery resonate deeply, encouraging kids to see beyond appearances—whether it’s a dragon or their own fears. Her work with major publishers like Random House and Little, Brown has elevated middle-grade and picture-book illustration, blending art with storytelling in a way that feels both classic and fresh.
Beyond her books, Zollars inspires as an educator, having taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art and served on boards like the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. Her playful yet profound approach continues to shape the next generation of artists and readers, proving that a nickel’s worth of creativity can spark a lifetime of wonder.
- Birthplace: United States
- Key Works: The Truth About Dragons, Greenglass House series, Foxheart, Thornlight
- Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award Honor, Society of Illustrators Gold Medal, SCBWI Portfolio Award
Snag The Truth About Dragons or dive into the Greenglass House series to experience Jaime Zollars’s magical storytelling!