Connect with C.S. visit or speaking event: GO HERE
Some of the fine folks I’ve worked with.
Disney Hyperion • Netflix • Amazon Prime • Nancy Paulsen Books • River Horse Books • Penguin Group Books • Scholastic • Houghton Mifflin • Saatchi & Saatchi X • Highlights Magazine • American Greetings • Disney Interactive • Girl’s World / Animal Tales • Stone Arch Books • Capstone Publishing • Warner Independent • Disney Adventures Magazine • ESPN: The Magazine • Weekly Reader Group • Spin Master Games • Sterling Publishing • Amanzi Tea • Chuy’s Restaurant Group • The Oklahoma City Zoo • The Austin Chronicle • The Gazette (Oklahoma City) • The Fort Worth Star-Telegram • The McClatchy Company
Howdy!
I’m C.S. JENNINGS! I am the illustrator of over two-dozen books for kids. My collaborators include the amazing teams at Penguin Random House, Disney Hyperion, Scholastic, Houghton Mifflin, and Dial Books for Young Readers.
I’m the author of WHOA PANDA! (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025); PET SHOP RACERS, a three-volume graphic novel series for young readers (Disney Hyperion, 2025); MY BIG BOOK OF TEXAS (Grosset & Dunlap, 2026); BISON & BEAR (a 4-book graphic novel series; Penguin Workshop, 2028); ANIMAL BAND and HELLO, TEXAS! (As Christopher S. Jennings; 2008, 2010). Notably, I illustrated the Texas Library Association Bluebonnet 2020-2021 Master List book, FROM AN IDEA TO DISNEY, from the FROM AN IDEA TO series by Lowey Bundy Sichol.
I specialize in writing for middle-grade, graphic novels, picture books, character design, and humor in storytelling.
My mission as an author is that of humor, heart, and healing—crafting each story with kernels of hope and laughter.
A Texas native, I make my home in Austin. An amateur naturalist; I find inspiration exploring, biking, and hiking in the hill country.
SOME THINGS ABOUT ME
(An incomplete List)
- I was born in Texas.
- My family has been in Texas for SEVEN generations.
- I live in Austin, Texas.
- I have THREE cats. Zissou, Dax, and Lady Ivy Hazelnut.
- I also have a pug puppy whose name is Argento (“silver” in Italian, his coat color).
- I am proud to be left handed. 🙂
- I am 6’3″.
- I learn bird calls so I know which ones are around.
- I have TWO favorite national parks—Big Bend and Arches.
- I am a watch nerd and have a small collection.
- My grandfather loved watches too. I have his pocket watch!
- Green is my favorite color. Or blue. They are both very excellent.
- My favorite food is barbecue.
Animation is also a passion. I’ve had the honor to work with director Richard Linklater twice. First, as animation lead on A Scanner Darkly (2004), then as assistant animation director on Apollo 10 1/2: A Space-Age Adventure (2022). I was assistant animation director The Tornante Company’s Amazon production Undone (seasons one and two). I love collaborating with animation teams. The amazing staff we had at Minnow Mountain; the directors, the producers, and teams at Warner Independent, Netflix, Tornante, and Submarine in Amsterdam. Assistant animation direction, character design, and sequential storytelling are what I honed in, and have to offer the industry. Check out my IMDB page!
Read my entire story (so far), here.
It’s important to be part of the community. Giving back and mentoring are crucial for those of us who have been doing this for a while. Aside from my involvement in social media, I’ve taught at the university level, spoken to elementary and high school classrooms, and am part of informal industry groups across the city. From 2016 to 2020 I was Illustrator Coordinator for the Austin chapter of The Society of Children’s Book Writer and Illustrators. (A vibrant community of writers and illustrators.)
Every Voice. I am an advocate and believe in opportunity for all creators. Every reader needs a hero. Someone who looks like them or they relate to. A creator who is living a dream—the reader’s dream. A person who shares the child’s viewpoint and experience. Role models who, just by being and doing, say to children, “What you desire is possible. Go for it!” I say this too to all who are on the journey of this craft. Keep going. Keep growing. Follow your path. We need your stories. We need your voice. We need YOU.
Drop me a line. I would love to hear from you!
A few notes:
- I work with established publishers and companies. I am not taking requests from self-published authors or those looking to collaborate on a children’s book in hopes of getting published. (Don’t wait on an illustrator! Send out your manuscript! The publisher will pair you with an artist they’ve been jonesing to work with.)
- I will take requests for commissions—providing I have the time to knock it out.
- Most artwork on this site can be purchased as a print or other sweet item.
- For more details, see the contact page.
I am proudly represented by the amazing Tim Travaglini of the Transatlantic Agency.