Jarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as both a record sleeve designer and an animation director before becoming a children's book illustrator.
His books with Walker include The Boy with Flowers in His Hair, Follow Me, Flo!, Tropical Terry, Mrs Mole, I’m Home! and Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth, which won the V&A Best Illustrated Book.
He is also the illustrator of the much-loved "Pick a ..." series written by Patricia Toht, Pick a Pine Tree, Pick a Pumpkin and Pick a Perfect Egg. Jarvis lives in Manchester with his wife and their dog and cat.
About his picture book inspiration, Jarvis says, "The way I work is always visual. I will have an image or character in mind and I pull a story out of it. I doodle and doodle and doodle until I get it right."