- Jim Smith is the keelest kids" book author in the whole wide world amen. He graduated from art school with first class honours (the best you can get) and went on to create the branding for a sweet little chain of coffee shops. He also designs cards and gifts under the name Waldo Pancake. He is the author-illustrator of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize-winning and bestselling Barry Loser series, and the Future Ratboy series.