James Ransome was born in Rich Square, North Carolina and now resides in Poughkeepsie, New York. As a high school student, Ransome developed a keen interest in film making and animation. On the advice of a film instructor, he enrolled at the Pratt Institute where he studed illustration, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He continued his study of illustration with Burt Silverman.

A successful book illustrator, Ransome is a member of the Society of Illustrators. He has received both the Coretta Scott King Award for illustrations featured in Uncle Jed's Barber Shop and the IBBY Honor Award for his book The Creation, which was selected as an ALA Notable Book and featured on the PBS program Reading Rainbow. Other work featured on television includes The Old Dog, which was presented on PBS Storytime.

Additional important honors include the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance Award which was presented to Ransome for his book The Wagon.