Jacques was born in Liverpool and grew up in Kirkdale near the Liverpool Docks. He went by his middle name to distinguish himself from his father and brother, both named James. He grew up with his father's love of literature, which soon turned to a love of writing. His book Redwall was written for the children of the Royal Wavertree School for the Blind, leading to his unique descriptive style that emphasized all the senses, not just visuals.
Works by this author include:
- Redwall
- Castaways of the Flying Dutchman
- Urso Brunov
- Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales
- The Ribbajack
