Ben Clanton

Ben Clanton is a children's book author and illustrator best known for creating the Narwhal and Jelly book series, which debuted in 2016 with "Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea." Prior to his success with Narwhal and Jelly, Clanton worked as an elementary school art teacher and authored several picture books including "Vote for Me!" and "Mo's Mustache." His work often features simple, expressive characters and incorporates humor that appeals to both young readers and adults. Clanton's illustrations utilize a minimalist style with clean lines and limited color palettes. His books have earned multiple awards and nominations, including spots on the New York Times bestseller list and selection for various state reading lists. The author divides his time between Seattle and Vancouver, continuing to create new entries in the Narwhal and Jelly series while also producing standalone picture books. His works have been translated into multiple languages and are published primarily through Tundra Books.

Parents and young readers consistently praise Clanton's simple illustration style and humor that works on multiple levels. Reviewers note the Narwhal and Jelly series hooks reluctant readers with its accessible format and positive messages about friendship. Readers highlight: - Characters that make children laugh while teaching social skills - Short chapters that build reading confidence - Art style that inspires kids to draw their own versions Common criticisms: - Some find the stories too basic for older elementary students - Text occasionally relies on puns that young readers miss - Limited plot complexity compared to other graphic novels Ratings across platforms: Amazon: 4.8/5 average across series Goodreads: 4.3/5 average (11,000+ ratings) One parent reviewer noted: "My 6-year-old went from refusing to read to finishing these books in one sitting." A teacher wrote: "These books get passed around my classroom until they fall apart."

Narwhal: Unicorn of the Sea! - A graphic novel about a narwhal and a jellyfish who become unlikely friends and share whimsical adventures together.

Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt - The second book in the Narwhal and Jelly series follows the pair as they explore what it means to be a superhero.

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish - A picture book about a peanut butter sandwich and jellyfish who face a bullying situation with a crabby crab.

Mo's Mustache - A picture book about a monster whose unique mustache starts a trend among his friends.

Vote for Me! - A picture book featuring two candidates, Elephant and Donkey, competing in an election.

Something Extraordinary - A picture book about a boy who wishes for extraordinary things while discovering the wonder in ordinary moments.

Rex Wrecks It! - A picture book about a young dinosaur who has trouble playing constructively with his friends.

Rot, the Cutest in the World - A picture book about a mutant potato who enters a cuteness contest.

It Came in the Mail - A picture book about a boy who wishes for mail and suddenly starts receiving unusual packages.

Boo Who? - A picture book about a shy ghost trying to make friends while playing games at recess.

Mo Willems creates character-driven picture books focused on friendship and emotions, including the Elephant & Piggie series. His books feature simple illustrations and dialogue-based storytelling similar to Clanton's work.

Drew Daywalt writes picture books about everyday objects coming to life and having personalities, like The Day the Crayons Quit. His stories incorporate humor and character perspectives that parallel Clanton's storytelling approach.

Bob Shea produces books with strong main characters who face relatable childhood situations and conflicts. His Ballet Cat series shares narrative elements with Clanton's Narwhal and Jelly series.

Ryan T. Higgins writes picture books featuring mismatched friendships and unexpected relationships between characters. His Mother Bruce series uses the same type of character dynamics found in Clanton's books.

Aaron Blabey creates series with recurring characters who get into misadventures and learn lessons, like The Bad Guys. His books use humor and illustrations that emphasize character expressions similar to Clanton's style.