He is the first official Cartoonist Laureate of the state of Vermont, appointed in 2011.
Among his best known works are the Monkey vs Robot series, the beloved Johnny Boo and Dragon Puncher series for children, and his magnum opus, the decade-plus span of daily diary comics known as American Elf. James lives in Burlington, Vermont with his wife, Amy; their two sons; and their cats, all of whom appear frequently in his comics.
"A perfectly silly early chapter-book graphic novel for kids new to reading on their own... totally funny and appealing." --Youth Services Book Review
"Kochalka's simple line drawings and bright crayon colors stand out in this sweet, silly graphic novel. Children will easily identify with Johnny Boo's sense of fun." --Booklist
"A playfully wacky, colorful graphic novel... Highly recommended." --Children's Bookwatch
"Quirky, cute, imaginative, and endlessly re-readable." --GeekDad
"A great series for young readers with its easy-to-follow panels and big word balloons." --Good Comics for Kids, School Library Journal