Torchbearer Jesse Kuhn
Author, illustrator, and father of three based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Short biography
Jesse Kuhn is an award-winning author, illustrator, and father of three based in St. Louis, Missouri. His books have received multiple Global Book Awards, including Gold honors in 2026. His latest children's picture book, The Spirit of Santa, explores how families can navigate the question of Santa's existence while preserving the wonder, generosity, and magic of Christmas.
Longer biography
Jesse Kuhn is an award-winning author, illustrator, and father of three based in St. Louis, Missouri. His books — including the Always Here series — have received multiple Global Book Awards, including Gold honors in 2026, and the Always Here series has sold more than 10,000 copies. He is a Certified Grief Educator through David Kessler's program. His latest children's picture book, The Spirit of Santa (Torchbearer Press, 2026), is a 48-page illustrated book for ages 4–9 that explores how families can navigate the question of Santa's existence while preserving the wonder, generosity, and magic of Christmas; for the 2026 holiday season the complete book is free for any family to read.
He is the creator of the Always Here series of grief companions, and the author and illustrator of The Spirit of Santa. His background is in illustration, creative development, and independent publishing.