BOOKS

Passionate about Australian wildlife I have illustrated many books and articles throughout my life. Some have been commissions and some have been freebies ...
believing in the cause and the project.

SOS...
Save our Species

Published July 2022; ISBN 978-0-646-86187-6.

Launched at an Exhibition at Mary Cairncross Reserve Gallery, in 20022

An illustrated book attempting to bring attention, in an amusing way, to the tragic destruction of so many of our native Australian animals.

This book is a collaboration with Elaine Green, an environmental writer, editor, and friend, who has captured the essence of the artwork with words that appear to speak directly to us, the reader!

In a unique way Elaine points out the careless and thoughtless behaviour that we inflict upon the lives of our unique animals ... with no apparent recognition of the harm we do to them.

The images in this book are the result of a life-time passion for wildlife and a career spent as artist and art teacher in Qld, NSW, Vic and SA.

Not only an interesting and amusing book for children it is also informative for many Australian adults whose knowledge of our unique native animals is so sadly lacking. Military terms have been used intentionally as the relationship between Australians and their unique wildlife is surely on a 'war' footing.

The extremely pissed-off Bandicoot Brigade turns its back on OZ

"Ignorant humans might regard us as common and unimportant, but they don’t get to see us because we only come out at night. We are not fussy eaters being omnivores, but dogs and cats are our worst enemies. We have a great sense of smell, lovely long curved toes and are very good at digging but all you will see of us is the conical hole we leave in your lawn. Think of it as a free aeration service. Actually, without us turning over the soil, it would be far less productive. We also disperse fungi spores and make a jolly good contribution to plant diversity .....

POP...
Protect our Pollinators

Published July 2023; ISBN: 978-0-646-88763-0

The second book in this series. Launched at an Exhibition at Mary Cairncross Reserve Gallery, in 2023.

Perhaps because many are small and fleeting, most of us know little about our native pollinators. The European Honey Bee is regarded as essential to food production - foods familiar and safe, imported from other countries and cultures.

In this book I want to focus your attention on our native pollinators. They are not just insects, they also include birds, reptiles and mammals. All play an important role in sustaining the diversity of our unique environment.

Extract Leadbeater’s Possum

Most people have seen a possum or heard them running across the roof at night. The common ones are the Brushtail and the Ringtail, but I am something else. My tail is club-shaped and very useful for carrying bark for lining my nest. Some people call me the “forest fairy” as I flit from tree to tree at night, looking for food and spreading pollen. Like a fairy, you are unlikely to ever see me but it is important to know who I am.

I was first described in 1867 and then nobody bothered about me and it was thought that I had gone extinct until I was “rediscovered” in 1961. I am in fact critically endangered and scientists give me a 30% likelihood of really being extinct within 20 years. I only live in Victoria’s central highlands, in forests of Alpine ash (Eucalyptus delegatensis), Mountain ash (Euc. regnans) and Snow gum (Euc. camphora), preferably with Wattles in the understorey .......

FOF ...
Friend or Foe

Published October 2024; ISBN : 978-1-7637193-0-9

The third book in this recent series Launched at an exhibition at Mary Cairncross Reserve Gallery, 2024

It would seem remiss to not talk about FERAL; so lets do it I thought. So many of us never realise the destruction that is wrought every day .. and every NIGHT across our country by animals that do not belong here. Before colonisation, Australia had everything necessary to support human life without destroying any other species.

It is a national disgrace that we do not understand the damage done, and do not work hard to remedy the situation. Except for the too few who work tirelessly to expose this situation and work to conserve the natural balance of our lands.

To them I say thanks .. and offer these works to expand our understanding.

Extract from Holy Cross Frog

"If you are in the right place at the right time, you might well be treated to the marvellous sight of hundreds of us coming out of the ground after heavy rains in arid areas of western NSW and Qld. Individually we are tiny, measuring 5-6cm, but together we are quite spectacular. We have a bright yellow back and lots of coloured spots that form the shape of a cross ...

We do our best, but the worst imaginable thing for us is feral pigs rooting and digging into our homes. The next worst thing is to finally make it to a water body and fid it polluted with chemicals - oil, petrol, insecticides, detergents ans even those insect repellents and .. sunscreens that humans use ..."

The Book of Krumple
and Wicked Esmeralda

This book was written and illustrated by Jim Cox, for his grandchildren. Perhaps the worlds greatest authority on KRUMPLE. Jim observed his first Krumple as a child and has been studying them ever since.

He has realised that Krumple are helping to keep Australia's small birds, mammals and reptiles safe from extinction by eating cats ... one of the greatest threat to small Australian wildlife. The message of this book is that free ranging cats kill....

To minimise the disastrous effect they have on our wonderful wildlife, cats must not be allowed to roam. We are allowed to keep some Australian reptiles and birds as pets but Jim would love to see the present rules changed so we could all have small Australian mammals as pets instead of cats.

Krumple are friends to our small native animals and in the absence of cats would be happy to live on grass.

And Wicked Esmerelda and Tabatha .. was written many years later for his great grand-daughter at the request of HER grandmother.

Jim hopes that these words and pictures will convince all the little girls in the world to look after their room, their teeth, and their pets ... and especially to be kind to all the little animals that live in her garden and her neighbours garden.

Then hopefully all the animals will learn to love Esmerelda .. and Tabatha

and all their friends

Book Covers

The book covers showcased here represent works to which Jim has made significant contributions.

Throughout his career, Jim has generously shared his artistic talents, often creating illustrations pro bono. His commitment to supporting and promoting the beauty and importance of Australia's natural environment has been a lifelong passion.

Through these paid and voluntary efforts, Jim has helped to raise awareness and foster appreciation for the wonders of Australian landscapes and wildlife. The following are books in which his artwork has been documented.