What if the monsters that scare us most aren’t real, but the fears we build inside our own minds? For debut children’s author Jeff Nuttall, that question became the heart of his book Jimmy Joe’s First Day of School, a lively, heartfelt story inspired by his son’s struggles with starting school. In a recent interview with the American Daily Post, Nuttall shared the story’s origins and the deeply personal journey that shaped his storytelling.
“People really do judge a book by its cover,” Nuttall admitted with a smile. The bold, colorful illustration of Jimmy Joe staring up at the towering steps of a big school wasn’t accidental. “My thoughts were to show it from a kid’s point of view, how big a school and how big of a challenge it is going to school,” he explained. The oversized stairs represent the steps children must take toward their fears.
In the story, this symbolism is clear. On his dreaded first day, Jimmy Joe feels the weight of everything stacked against him. “This was the day Jimmy Joe had dreaded all summer long—The kind of day where nothing goes right and everything feels wrong.” That universal anxiety was what Jeff wanted children—and parents—to recognize.
The tale began decades ago in Jeff’s living room. His son Joey, just a little boy, was paralyzed with fear the night before school started. “We had no idea how we were going to get him to school, because he was just terrified,” Nuttall recalled. Out of desperation, he invented Jimmy Joe, blending humor, imagination, and gentle reassurance into a bedtime tale that stuck. Storytelling, it turned out, ran in the family—Jeff’s grandfather, a World War II veteran, once entertained relatives with funny stories around campfires. “I’m assuming that’s kind of where I got it from,” Jeff reflected. What began as comfort for his son eventually became a family tradition—and now, a published book.
One of the most memorable aspects of Jimmy Joe’s First Day of School is how it treats fear. The monsters Jimmy Joe imagines—vampires, aliens, even “crazy hillbillies wanting to bury him under two hundred feet of mud”—are silly and exaggerated. This was intentional. “I certainly didn’t want to scare anybody,” Jeff said. “They’re there, but they’re not what you think they are. They’re not as big and scary as you believe right now.” By making the monsters playful, the story validates children’s fears while showing they can be overcome. Jimmy Joe soon learns reality is kinder than his imagination. Instead of monsters, he finds a friend in Josh, who greets him: “Hi. My friends call me Josh. Do you want to come out and play?” That simple invitation shatters his biggest fear—that school would be lonely.
If the story was born from family, it was also brought to life by them. Jeff worked closely with illustrators, often sharing drafts with his daughter Madeline, now a pre-K teacher. Maddie May, Jimmy Joe’s sister in the book, is based on her. “She read one to her classroom, and they wanted more,” Jeff recalled proudly. Her encouragement pushed him to publish after years of keeping the stories tucked away. Even the family dog plays a role—the sequel in progress will feature Bruno, their German Shorthaired Pointer, inspired by a family tale about a talking dog.
Perhaps the most surprising part of Jeff’s journey is his background. For thirty years, he served as a police officer in Los Angeles—a stark contrast to writing whimsical children’s books. “It was very important for me to simplify things for my kids,” he explained. Storytelling became a way to separate the harsh realities of police work from the warmth of home. Now preparing for retirement, Jeff and his family plan to move to a farm in Wisconsin. “We’re going to rescue a bunch of animals and live a great life on the farm,” he said, envisioning a quieter future filled with writing.
At its core, Jimmy Joe’s First Day of School is more than a children’s story—it’s a tool for parents and teachers. Jeff sees it as both a bedtime tale and a classroom read, a way to bond with children and start conversations about fear and resilience. The rhyming verses, playful illustrations, and lighthearted tone make kids laugh while gently reminding them: the monsters in your mind are never as big as they seem.
By the end, Jimmy Joe discovers this truth himself. After a day of laughter, learning, and even a triumphant kickball game, he beams to his mom: “First Grade is fun. First Grade is cool!” The boy who once begged to stay home now can’t wait to go back.
When asked what Jimmy Joe would say if he could step off the page, Jeff didn’t hesitate: “You can do anything. We can take these steps together.” It’s a line that connects beyond children’s literature. For Nuttall, writing isn’t just about telling stories—it’s about passing down courage, love, and possibility. From his grandfather’s campfire tales to his own children’s encouragement, his work reminds us that the scariest challenges often lead to the brightest triumphs.