Jim Benton is the creator of It’s Happy Bunny, the licensing hit that has generated over a 3/4 of a billion dollars at retail. The It’s Happy Bunny books from Scholastic have been chosen three times by the American Librarians Association as their top picks for teen readers, and It’s Happy Bunny programs have taken top awards from the Licensing Industry Merchandise Association, five times. Jim’s various series (Dear Dumb Diary, Franny K. Stein) have sold in the millions and have appeared on the New York Times Bestsellers list multiple times. AWARDS: 2004: Gryphon Award honor book, Center for Children's Books, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (Lunch Walks Among Us)[5]     2005: LIMA International Licensing Award, Best Art Brand License (It's Happy Bunny)     2006: Eleanor Cameron Award, Golden Duck Award Committee (The Fran That Time Forgot)     2006: LIMA International Licensing Award, Best Character Brand License – Soft Goods (It's Happy Bunny)     2007: LIMA International Licensing Award, Best Character Brand License – Hard Goods (It's Happy Bunny)     2007: Austin ADDY Awards (with Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Texas Alliance)[6]         Silver award, Public Service Campaign         Bronze award, Public Service postcard     2009: Nomination National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award, Book Illustration: Cherise The Niece[7]     2011: National Cartoonists Society Reuben Award, Greeting Cards: It's Happy Bunny[8]     2014: National Parenting Publications Awards GOLD MEDAL: The End (Almost)     2015: Eisner Award Nominee: Dog Butts and Love. And Stuff Like That. And Cats.