A detailed floor plan drawing of a house interior featuring a bedroom with a boy reading a book, a desk with a dinosaur figurine, trophies, and books, a mid-section with office and entertainment areas, and a hallway with windows. The plan includes labeled areas and decorative elements.

#1 pre-sale book in UT Press history

A story of courage, confidence and being yourself.

Based on a true ESPN story, published by the University of Tennessee Press

UT Press Pre-Order
Amazon Pre-Order
A cartoon boy dressed in a white tuxedo with orange accents, an orange bow tie, and a large orange top hat with a beige band, standing with arms outstretched and smiling.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Inspired by a true Tennessee moment, My Magic Tux follows Tuxie on a journey of belief, bravery, and a little bit of magic.

Meet Tuxie →
Image 2 Image 3 Image 4 Image 2 Image 3 Image 4
Image 1 Image 2 Image 4 Image 2

From a dusty old tux… 

to a moment that changed everything. What started as something small became something unforgettable. Because sometimes, the things that make you different are the very things that make you powerful.

Learn More →

Meet Tuxie

He’s Fun

He’s Brave

He’s Confident

A cartoon illustration of a happy person jumping with arms outstretched, wearing a white jacket with orange accents and a large orange bow tie, with a small dot on their face, and colorful dots around them.

Get to Know Tuxie

A friendly face

When doubt shows up, Tuxie reminds you to keep going. When fear creeps in, he helps you take the next step anyway. Because courage isn’t about being fearless.It’s about showing up.

Learn More →

FOR KIDS & PARENTS

What this book teaches

Every child has a unique spark waiting to shine. This story is built around two powerful pillars: Courage and Confidence, designed to help young readers believe in themselves, embrace what makes them different, and discover the magic they can create in their own lives.

Pre-Order →
A cartoon character dressed as a magician with an orange top hat, white suit with orange accents, and arms spread wide.

Courage

Even when you feel unsure, you can take the next step forward, trusting that progress often begins with small moves in the right direction.

Confidence

You don’t have to fit in to stand out, you can follow your own path, embrace what makes you different, and still make a meaningful impact by being yourself.

About The Authors

Black and white portrait of a smiling man with glasses, wearing a suit jacket and white shirt, with a bright orange pocket square, standing against a plain background.

J.R. Greene

When J.R. Greene wore his homemade orange-and-white tuxedo to a national championship football game, he never imagined it would launch a life-changing journey. What began as one bold leap became an adventure filled with courage, opportunity, and big dreams—proving how a single brave moment can change everything.

Joe Shands

Joe Shands is a writer and storyteller from the foothills of Tennessee and a lifelong Tennessee Volunteer. For more than thirty years, he has helped shape iconic campaigns like Got Milk? and Brand Jordan—blending sharp storytelling with a keen eye for unforgettable moments that leave a lasting mark on readers!

Black and white portrait of a man with glasses, wearing a suit and crossing his arms, against a dark background.
Read the full bios →

About the illustrator

Illustration of five child characters interacting with a large number five on a green background, with a text bubble saying 'That's me!'
A smiling man with short hair and a beard, wearing a dark button-up shirt, posing against a light gray background.

Nicholas Child is a freelance illustrator based in Cheshire, England. He has illustrated a wide variety of picture books; some of his clients include Paperchase, Sainsbury’s, and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece.

See His Work →
A cartoon boy dressed as a magician with a white and orange suit and a tall orange top hat, standing with arms outstretched and smiling.
Cartoon boy in an orange top hat, orange bow tie, white suit with orange accents, standing with arms outstretched and legs apart, on a white background.

Life needs a little bit more…

JIggle

Wiggle

Cartoon boy dressed as a magician with arms outstretched, wearing a top hat, white suit with orange accents, and orange shoes.

Giggle

Follow Tuxie and J.R. on their book tour

Coming Soon →
Book cover titled 'My Magic Tux: A Big Orange Story of Courage and Confidence'. Illustration of a young boy in a tuxedo with orange accents, kneeling and holding a large orange hat.

Buy the Book!

My Magic Tux is more than a story, it’s a confidence-building adventure that inspires kids to embrace imagination, courage, and self-belief. Featuring a unique “2 books in 1” format, the story flips at halftime just like a football game. The proceeds and 100% of J.R.'s royalties will support UT Libraries and a new charitable initiative focused on courage and confidence in children.  And the price of the book is in honor of Al Wilson and Tennessee’s 1998 National Championship team.

Pre-Order

What People Are Saying

  • My Magic Tux by J.R. Greene is a fun, imaginative read with a really creative idea at its core. The magical tuxedo adds a sense of wonder that keeps things interesting, and the story has a nice, uplifting message about confidence. It’s simple, easy to follow, and leaves you feeling good by the end.

    — Gaby H.

  • I really enjoyed My Magic Tux—the idea of a tuxedo with magical powers is unique and entertaining. The story moves at a nice pace and has plenty of fun moments along the way. It’s a feel-good read with a strong message about believing in yourself.

    — Amy B.

  • My Magic Tux is a light, enjoyable story that’s easy to get into from the start. The magical element makes it exciting, and the positive message really stands out. It’s a great pick for anyone who likes simple, uplifting stories with a touch of imagination.

    — Tony C.

Open children's book titled "My Magic Tux" with illustrations of a boy in a tuxedo and a bedroom scene in gold and white.

Bring the Magic Home

Every purchase supports something bigger. Proceeds help fund literacy, education, lifelong learning through the University of Tennessee, and the development of a new charitable entity focused on supporting courage and confidence in children.  When you buy this book, you’re not just sharing a story. You’re helping another child believe in their own.

UT Press Pre-Order

stay in the loop

Get the latest updates, stories, and surprises from Tuxie and My Magic Tux. Sign up with your name and email to follow along at mymagictux.com and never miss what’s next.

We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time and opt out of text messages by following the instructions included in each message. Standard message and data rates may apply.