by ibby
Discover Oliver Jeffers’ art and storytelling in I’m Very Busy—a new children’s book inspiring readers and illustrators to pause and see the bigger picture.
Oliver Jeffers has always worked in the space between words and pictures, story and image. As both an artist and storyteller, and illustrator his work reminds us that illustration can be more than charming lines on a page, it can be a way of making sense of the world.
The Artist
Jeffers’ art has been shown in museums and galleries across the globe, with solo exhibitions in London and New York, and he is represented by Praise Shadows Art Gallery in Boston. His instantly recognizable style blends figurative painting, folk-like line work, and his distinctive handwriting. Themes like perspective, memory, mortality, and the power of community run throughout his practice, alongside a recurring meditation on borders and belonging.
Growing up in Belfast during the 1970s and 80s left Jeffers with a skepticism toward nationalism and division. In his more recent works, he often zooms out, literally, to the scale of stars and constellations, urging us to view our fragile planet with fresh eyes and rethink the stories we tell as humanity.
The Illustrator
Alongside his fine art career, Jeffers is beloved for his children’s books. Our personal favorite, The Day the Crayons Quit. Each one balances playfulness with deeper truths, accessible to children while resonating with adults. His latest, I’m Very Busy, carries this thread forward. It’s a story about modern life’s constant rush, and a gentle reminder for readers of all ages to pause, make space for connection, and notice the world around us.
A Reminder for Illustrators
For illustrators seeking inspiration, Jeffers’ career is proof that illustration is never “just drawing.” It is storytelling in its purest form. His work demonstrates how art can exist in the gallery and on the bookshelf, with equal power to spark empathy, curiosity, and wonder.
Jeffers shows us that even the simplest lines, when combined with honesty and imagination, can hold entire worlds. I’m Very Busy is more than a children’s book; it’s an invitation for all of us to slow down and see the bigger picture.
