J Alison James

J. Alison James is an American author and translator of children’s books who has been writing and translating for young readers since around 1990, when her first novel, Sing for a Gentle Rain, was published to strong reviews. She went on to publish at least one more novel, Runa, as well as picture books, and has translated well over one hundred and fifty children’s titles from other languages into English, notably working as the English-language translator for Marcus Pfister’s international bestseller The Rainbow Fish and related titles, including large-format editions such as Rainbow Fish Big Book.

In addition to her writing and translation work, James has worked in libraries in several U.S. towns and taught English as a second language in Japan and Norway. She co‑founded Kindling Words in 1992, an annual retreat and professional gathering for children’s publishing creators, and has continued to be involved in that community of authors and illustrators.