University of Tennessee Press officially released its first children’s picture book on Tuesday with the introduction of My Magic Tux: A Big Orange Story of Courage and Confidence. The book is authored by J.R. Greene, famously known as “Big Orange Tux Guy,” and is based on his magical true story of running onto the field with the Vols during the 1998 National Championship game.
My Magic Tux is the No. 1 pre-selling book in the history of UT Press. Starting on July 28, the children’s book is available in bookstores and online in both hardcover and e-book formats. The book is designed for children of all ages, telling a UT-themed story of courage and confidence. It is co-authored by Joe Shands and is illustrated by award-winning Nicholas Childs.
Greene’s history with Tennessee Football is widely known, thanks to a 2023 ESPN article from Chris Low, who dubbed Greene as “college football’s ultimate party crasher.”
“I was a 24-year-old student working on my master’s degree at UT,” Greene said, via a press release. “My family had season tickets going back to the 1930s when my great-grandfather, John T. O’Connor – nicknamed ‘Punch’ from his Irish boxing roots – was the mayor of Knoxville. Needless to say, I never planned on being on that field in Tempe, Arizona, for the Fiesta Bowl, but that is what happened. I became the Big Orange Tux Guy, and this book is a reminder how one brave moment can change everything.”
The first-ever children’s picture book from UT Press is designed specifically to engage the kids who are reading it. It is a tête-bêche book, which is a French term for “head to tail.” It is a unique binding style that combines two books into one, as readers can flip over the book at “halftime” to read the second half of the book. Each side comes with a beautifully illustrated cover that is poised to draw in readers of all ages.
“UT’s land-grant mission includes a commitment to lifelong learning, and books are the gateway for young children to become curious and lifelong readers,” UT Press Director Katie Hannah said via a press release. “Publishing children’s books like My Magic Tux provides UT Press an avenue to reach new audiences and introduce them to the full catalog of our work, which preserves and promotes the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Tennessee and the region. We’re excited about this foray into children’s literature that, combined with our traditional program of scholarly and regional-interest publications, allows us to cultivate the Volunteer experience for readers of all ages.”
On that championship game day in 1999, Greene colored a white tux with orange markers to make his UT-themed attire. He did so to show others that Tennessee fans had class. After Greene’s father told him that James Bond had class with his tux, Greene knew that a tuxedo was the way to go. Greene’s magical day ballooned further than he could’ve ever imagined, as he sang Rocky Top with UT’s band before the game, wiggled his way onto the ESPN College GameDay set, and even ran onto the field with the Volunteers’ football team.
“One of my most memorable experiences in my life was running onto the field with the Vols’ football team for the national championship game,” Greene said in the release. “Publishing a book about that story is now one of my greatest experiences because children can read it and realize they can do anything… My hope is that young readers are equally inspired – to believe in themselves, embrace what makes them different and discover the magic they can create in their own lives.”
Information about the book is available at mymagictux.com. Readers can follow Tuxie, the mascot for the new UT Press children’s book, on social media at @MyMagicTux on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest.
Book proceeds and 100% of Greene’s royalties will “support UT Libraries to help fund literacy, education, and lifelong learning, as well as the planned future development of a new charitable entity and awards program focused on supporting courage and confidence in children.”
