Works by
James Proimos
(Illustrator, Writer)

Children's Fiction

• Joe's Wish (1998)
  What does every grandparent and every grandchild wish for? Joe Capri has a wish. He wants to be young again. But before Joe's wish is granted, he spends a day with his grandson, Michael Francis Capri. He tells Michael about the dancing, singing Something or Other, and they talk about how things will change when Joe's wish comes true. That night Michael Francis Capri makes his own wish--he loves his grandfather and wishes for him to stay just the way he is. Joe Capri makes another wish, too. . . .

• Joe's Wish Shelftalker (1998)

• The Loudness of Sam (1999)
  When Sam laughs, Sam laughs loudly. When Sam cries, Sam cries loudly. But while visiting his aunt Tillie in the city, Sam is surprised to discover that some people--in fact, many people--hold in their feelings. Can Sam survive a week with Aunt Tillie, a week when he is often told to "hush"?

• The Day the Dog Dressed Like Dad (2004)
  One morning, the family dog comes downstairs dressed exactly like Dad. The dog does a few things just like Dad would, but he also has a more canine approach to life that makes for quite an interesting day: he refuses to cook hot dogs at their barbecue, and in the evening he brings himself his own paper and slippers. His goodnight kiss is more of a lick, but the kids agree it sure was fun having the dog dress like Dad. Maybe tomorrow the cat will dress like Mom! A hilarious and imaginative tale sure to make every kid wonder what life would be like if Dad took a day off.  Ages 4 - 8.

• Cowboy Boy (2003)
  Ricky Smootz dreads starting middle school. He and his best friend, Fred Bologna, just KNOW they are targets for bully Keanu Dungston and his henchman. When Ricky turns to his beloved Grandma for advice, she reminds him his great, great, great, 3rd cousin was a cowboy whose specialty was running bullies out of Dodge. So when Keanu wedgies him on the first day of school, Ricky summons the courage of his ancestor, finds an old Halloween costume, and becomes . . . Cowboy Boy!

• Raisin and Grape (2006)
  A young grape is lucky enough to spend the whole day with his grandpa raisin. Grape thinks Grandpa’s wrinkles are awesome. Grandpa says you couldn’t pay him to be a grape again. Both of them agree, however, that together they make a great team.
  
  In quite possibly the first intergenerational picture book featuring edible characters, authors Tom Amico and James Proimos’s funny and spare text shows us a genuinely sweet relationship between a grandson and his grandfather, while Andy Snair’s intentionally simple color palette will remind readers that sometimes the best things in life are the most basic.

• When Guinea Pigs Fly (2005) with Andy Rheingold
  Brooks, Leone, and Allen are three guinea pigs who live a comfortable life at a pet store called The Natural Pet. One day a fellow named Needleman, who's smitten by the pet store owner, Aurora, purchases the trio of guinea pigs, and mistakenly releases them in a park. The guinea pigs, realizing that freedom isn't all they imagined it to be, begin their journey to get back to the pet store. Along the way, they encounter squirrels, pigeons, rats, and cockroaches. This being the first book in the series, the guinea pigs don't quite make it back, but the adventure is off and running!

Johnny Mutton Series

• The Many Adventures of Johnny Mutton (2001)
  It's hard being the only sheep in class. Even so, Johnny Mutton refuses to follow the herd.
  Whether bringing a gift to his teacher, creating an outrageous Halloween costume, or enduring a game of basketball, Johnny always manages to find success by doing things just a bit differently. His sweet sense of humor, sheer delight in life's simple pleasures, and unexpected triumphs are the stuff of legend.
  So join Johnny Mutton, Momma, Mr. Slopdish, and Gloria Crust on this wild and woolly adventure. But be sure to watch out for those scary fake teeth!  Ages 4 - 8.

• Johnny Mutton, He's So Him! (2003)
  He's zany. He's good-hearted. He's one-of-a-kind. Johnny Mutton, a sheep in kid's clothing, will keep readers in stitches as he enthusiastically greets each new day. Sometimes misunderstood but always genuine, Johnny Mutton once again takes readers on his hilarious, heartwarming, and very wacky adventures. Johnny Mutton will have readers of all ages laughing out loud and gasping for air--he's just so him!

• Mutton Soup (2004)
  He's zany! He's endearing! He's one-of-a-kind Johnny Mutton, the lovable sheep who thinks he's a boy.
  
  Now Johnny's back with even more wacky and heartwarming comic adventures. Whether he's playing a game of hide-and-seek with an unexpected surprise, attempting a new world record, or failing "manners" classes, Johnny will tickle your funny bone--and leave you wondering just what he'll think of next.

Illustrating Books by Jacquelyn Reinach

Play is how kids learn to understand the world around them. Created with the participation of a developmental psychologist, each Sweet Talkin’ book provides a delightful opportunity for interactive play between caregivers and toddlers.

• Little Kangaroo, I Love You! (2001)

• Little Owl, Here's Your Towel! (2001)

• Little Raccoon, Here's Your Spoon! (2001)

• Little Sheep, Time to Sleep! (2001)
   

• See also Jacquelyn Reinach

Poetry

• If I Were in Charge the Rules Would Be Different (2002)
  In James Proimos¹ first collection of poems, we find odes to spaghetti, reflections on stinky feet, and an argument to rethink baths. We meet General Mary Rumpus, the leader of the war on vegetables, Milton the Bully, who gets his in the end, and Billy Snuglag, who picks teams almost as well as he picks his nose.

See also:

• Tripping Over the Lunch Lady and Other School Stories (2005), Nancy E. Mercado, ed.
  Works by Angela Johnson, David Lubar, David Rice, James Proimos, Lee Wardlaw, Rachel Vail, Sarah Weeks Avi, Susan Shreve, and Terry Trueman

• Tripping Over the Lunch Lady (2006)
  School is great—lots of friends, fun sports, and interesting classes. But then there are the days that are horrible: arguing with your best friend, being laughed at in front of your class, meeting up with the school bully, failing a test you really studied for. We’ve all been there, including these authors. In this hilarious and diverse collection of short stories, ten well-known writers, including Avi, Angela Johnson, David Lubar, James Proimos, and Susan Shreve, tell of those funny and memorable middle school moments. And after reading these comical tales, kids will soon see that they’re not alone.