He is notable for his long collaboration with Ruth Manning-Sanders, illustrating many of her collections of fairy tales from all over the world.
He was quoted as saying: "My preference is for children's books of the more imaginative and fanciful kind, since these leave greater scope for illustrative invention, where I feel most at home.
[1] His father was from Newcastle, and attended Rutherford College, and joined the Royal Army Education Corps.
[2] When in 100 Sqn, his father hit a field east of Cold Harbour towards Old Somerby at 11.30am on 8 August, in an Avro 504; he had been at Grantham since 2 April 1923.
Although he had no formal art training, he enjoyed drawing and used anatomy books, items in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and objects in his surroundings for his instruction.
John Paul Jacques was married on Saturday 9 September 1989 at the catholic Church of St Margaret of Scotland, Twickenham to Sally Jane Haselhurst, the daughter of Major Michael Haselhurst, being married by Father Hilary Crewe.