My name is Jennifer Thermes. I’m a children’s book and map illustrator, and a writer, too! I grew up in Port Washington, New York, where I drew endless pictures of horses, dressed up in costumes from the attic trunk, played flashlight tag with the neighborhood kids, and constructed picnic bench jump courses for our family dog in the hope that she would miraculously turn into a pony.

In 1988 I graduated with a BFA from Parsons School of Design, and went to work in a magazine art department. After the birth of my first child I became a full-time illustrator.

I have written and illustrated two of my own books– When I Was Built, and Sam Bennett’s New Shoes. Sam Bennett was named a Bank Street College Best Children’s Book.

I also illustrate for other picture book clients, and have recently discovered the joy of creating black & white art for middle grade novels. The newest is Maggie and Oliver, or A Bone of One’s Own, to be released by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers in October 2011. My illustrations are done in pencil and watercolor. I love the variety that comes with working in both color and black & white!

In addition to children’s illustration, I make lighthearted maps for books and magazines. I’ve done maps for books such as The Water Seeker, Revolution is Not a Dinner Party, and Something to Hold, forthcoming from Clarion Books. To me, there’s nothing like a map in a book to help anchor the reader to the world of a story.

My family lives in a very old farmhouse in Connecticut with two cats, one dog, several fish, and countless mice. I hope you’ll visit me at art-words-life.blogspot.com, where I blog about current projects and other fun stuff!