Otherwise Known as Judy the Great

A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume

A TRUE TALE WITH

A CHERRY ON TOP

Christy Ottaviano Books

(Little Brown Young Readers)

(pub. 2.17.2026)

48 pages

Ages 6 -1o

Author and Illustrator: Selina Alko

Character: Judy Blume

Overview:

" Judy Blume is known for fearlessly discussing topics that were once considered taboo.

As a young girl, Judy was not encouraged to share her feelings, so instead she invented stories as a way to understand the world around her. Growing up Jewish, during and in the aftermath of WWII, dramatically shaped Judy’s childhood. Her younger years were full of fear. Judy processed her conflicted emotions by making up stories where she could control the conflict as she worked through challenging life scenarios.

These stories became the subjects of the books she later published for children, tweens, teens, and adults including Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, Freckle Juice, and the Fudge series.

This inspiring collection of poems celebrates the childhood years of Judy Blume, one of the most beloved American writers of all time."

Tantalizing taste:

"Judy wanted to dig up the truth

of being a young person.

She wished to write stories for kids,

to help them navigate their lives,

to help them grow up...

One day,

Judy sat down at her desk,

pressing letters into words,

then words into sentences.

And not right away,

but soon,

Judy's stories

one by one

would break out and

BLOOM.

And something more: Selina Alko shared in the Author's Note: "Over the years, Judy Blume's most powerful and revealing books have been banned...Judy Blume has worked tirelessly throughout her career to fight censorship. She has been a pioneer of advocacy for young readers at the onset of a growing movement to suppress expression in young people's literature, which sadly continues today.

I hope that this book will motivate a new generation of young readers and writers to get to know the trailblazing author Judy Blume. Maybe they will see themselves in young Judy's childhood. Or maybe they will be inspired in other ways by the one and only Judy Blume, otherwise known as Judy the Great!"