Poems are portable. You can write them anywhere! Judy at the Malheur Wildlife Refuge in Eastern Oregon
Judy hiking in Oregon with her dog, Keiko the parti poodle
Judy at age two, toddling off to bed with a book by her favorite author, Mother Goose. |
About Judy SierraI was born in Washington DC and grew up in Falls Church, Virginia. I have lived in Switzerland, New Mexico and California, and I now live in Eugene, Oregon, with my husband Bob, who is principal of The Village School. When I'm not writing, I like to hike, and garden, and spend time with my grandkids, Maxine and Alden.
When I was in elementary school, I loved to read, of course (my mother was a school librarian). I worked word puzzles, wrote poetry, drew, made books, and put on plays with my friends. In high school I continued to write, and I edited the newspaper and literary magazine. I studied at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland, received my B.A. in French from American University, and thought of becoming a college professor. Then I learned about a job I though would be perfect for me: children's librarian at a public library. There, I could tell stories and put on puppet shows. As a librarian, I got to know children's literature, and I developed my skills as a puppeteer and storyteller. I left the library to work in children's television, and my husband and I started a traveling puppet theater. Before I became a full-time author, I performed all around the U.S and taught puppetry as artist-in-residence in schools and museums. My first published books were about how to tell stories and put on puppet plays. When I write, I always recall my days as a live entertainer, and how much children loved high drama and slapstick humor. Some of my children’s books are original stories and poetry. Others are retellings of traditional folktales. All of them are meant to be read aloud. I especially like to revise the classic genres of children’s literature in funny and offbeat ways, as when I transformed Mother Goose into MONSTER GOOSE, or my recent book, MIND YOUR MANNERS, B.B. WOLF, in which I encourage children to learn good party manners along with that infamous folktale villain. My newest book, ZOOZICAL, with illustrations by the wonderful, multi-talented Marc Brown, tells (in rhyme) how the denizens of the zoo overcome the winter doldrums by putting on a musical. What am I working on now? I'm getting ready for a book tour this fall, 2011, to promote ZOOZICAL, and writing a new book of poems inspired by sea creatures. Address for kids' letters: Box 126 2852 Willamette Street Eugene OR 97405 Replies may take 4-6 weeks. Personalized autographed books available. Inquire about price. |
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