Johnny A. Riedling  is an artist, and storyteller behind Jargon Children’s Books—creating stories that strengthen the bond between parents and their children, especially fathers. His work is rooted in a simple belief: the everyday moments we share with our kids are the ones that shape them most.

By profession, Johnny is an art director and graphic designer with a background in visual storytelling, typography, and brand design. He’s a father of two boys, a husband to his partner Patrick, a lover of rescue dogs, a mixed media artist, and someone who finds quiet satisfaction in growing things—both in the garden and in life.

He grew up in Northern California surrounded by animals—from dogs, koi fish, tadpoles, and bullfrogs to laying chickens, bantam chickens, muscovy and common ducks, fancy pigeons, turtles, and even guinea fowl. That early experience of caring for and observing animals shaped his respect for living beings and continues to influence the empathy, curiosity, and spirit found throughout his stories.

His two boys, now grown young men, were the original inspiration behind his books. One of their early favorites was A Fly Went By, a 1958 children’s book by Mike McClintock, illustrated by Fritz Siebel. But what they loved most were the stories Johnny would make up himself—often placing them at the center of the adventure. Those shared moments of imagination eventually led him to create stories of his own, with the hope that his children could one day pass them down to the next generation. At the time, his intention was never to publish—only to create something meaningful for his family. The public work came later, through the natural unfolding of the creative process.

Johnny writes every story himself, from the first spark of an idea to the final lesson it leaves behind. To bring them to life visually, he combines AI-assisted illustration with hands-on refinement through the Adobe Creative Suite. With a professional foundation in design, he approaches each book with care for composition, typography, and storytelling. These tools are not a replacement for creativity, but an extension of it—allowing him to fully realize the worlds he imagines while staying true to his voice as a storyteller.

He believes deeply in equity, belonging, diversity, and inclusion, and has spent over a decade working in that space within the corporate world. These values are woven throughout his books—sometimes subtly, sometimes more directly—reflecting his belief that every child should feel seen, valued, and included in both the stories they read and the world they grow into.

His work is driven by a clear purpose: to encourage stronger family connection and to support caregivers in showing up fully in children’s lives. Families come in many forms—single parents, same-sex parents, grandparents, and extended family—and when children are surrounded by engaged, loving adults, they benefit in lasting ways. As a Filipino father of mixed-race children, Johnny’s perspective is shaped by lived experience, and his stories reflect a broader, more inclusive view of the world.

He believes confidence, curiosity, and character begin early. Like planting a seed, growth takes care, patience, and intention. His stories are designed to open conversations—helping children understand their values, embrace what makes them unique, and build confidence as they grow.

Because it’s never too early to plant something that lasts.