Mel is Mel Boring, moderator of this interview with Judy Bradbury, and Web Editor of the ICL Web Site.

Mel: Judy Bradbury has been a perennial FAVORITE Chat Guest in our ICL Chat Room for many reasons. One strong reason is that suggestions for books we children's writers should be reading roll so easily off her tongue and to our ears. Judy is in the know about what books children are reading because she has worked with children of all grade levels for so many years, as both a teacher and a private tutor. Judy Bradbury has been our Chat Guest previously, the last time about two years ago. Judy, though I might think I'm well read in children's books, you ALWAYS give suggestions for reading that make me want to rush right out to the library and book store. Welcome, Judy Bradbury, to our ICL Chat Room, good friend!

Judy: Hi everyone!

Mel: Judy, you've lived in the Buffalo, New York area all your life, so I know how you came to be there. Tell us first about your growing-up years, please, and how you—as seems obvious—became hooked on reading then.

Judy: I have always loved books and reading, I credit my mother for that. She took all three of us to the library every Friday evening to borrow books, and she read to us every day at lunch. In those days, kids came home for lunch!

Mel: Friday was LIBRARY DAY—amazing! I came home for lunch as a kid, too, by the way! Is your husband a teacher, or in any way connected in his profession with reading or books?

Judy: My husband is an engineer, but he loves to read too. Only he reads magazines that put me to sleep—no Newbery award contenders there!

Mel: HA! Does the rest of your family like to read?

Judy: My daughter is a voluminous reader. My dog and cat keep trying; they're intrigued by all these hard cover things lying around the house!

Mel: Hey, our dog Spot can read! "Run, Dick, run! Run, Sally, run!”

Judy: See Jane read! J

Judy: Oh, boy, this reminds me of watching a kids' soccer match—look what my kid can do!!! LOL

Mel: In your opinion, Judy, what makes kids want to read while growing up?

Judy: I think there can be any number of factors, but a primary one just might be a home that is rich with books and is a place that puts value on reading. When a child grows up with books and finds excitement, suspense, laughs, even tears between the covers of a book, he or she comes to value the printed page.

Mel: Do you as a mother and teacher and writer worry about what some have fearfully warned of: children not reading so much these days as they did some years ago, Judy?

Judy: Take a look at the best sellers' lists and thank children's book authors for the great books they've put there. I hear kids talking about characters such as Harry at parties, on the bus, and in restaurants as if he is real. And actually, I guess in a way he is, isn't he!

Mel: Harry Potter is alive, and well!

Judy: My cat would have her nose out of joint if I got a bunny. But, actually, my hubby had a bunny named Marshall when he was a bachelor that he took out on a leash! Marshall couldn't read either, though. J

Mel: A bunny on a LEASH--NOW I've heard of everything!

Judy: We are a creative family, no?

Mel: YES!!! What is your favorite pastime, Judy? (No fair answering reading!) J

Judy: All right, next to reading, it's hanging out with my daughter, and next to that is jogging.

Mel: Do you read WHILE you jog?

Judy: Only street signs, billboards, junk in the gutter, and notes in my pocket!

Mel: GOOD GOING! Why is it so important to read new children's books? I hardly have time to write!

Judy: For authors, it's important to read new children's books, Mel, because we get to read what's being published, what's being noticed, and what is resonating with children.

Mel: What a GREAT describer of children reading, “resonating”!

Judy: We also learn how the pros do it.

Judy: Absolutely! Positively! Get those books in kids' hands—open their eyes to the FUN of books, and they'll be wanting to read on their own—it's like magic.

Mel: I'm thinking kids read when they see influential adults in their lives reading. And I have fond memories of books I read as a child, Judy. Those are the kinds of books I want to write. Should I reread those books?

Judy: Rereading classics is fine, Mel. We all have favorite books. But don't limit yourself to just the classics. Read the books that are being published today. Find out what kids are reading now. Today's kids have and do different things than they did when I was a kid, and their books reflect their culture to a certain degree. Having said that, certain books are timeless, aren't they? And we will never tire of them.

Judy: Wow! Well, I think different books speak to different children, and one of these books might just spark an interest in reading in a youngster that will cause him to read another book, and another. I think part of the beauty of books and reading is the wide variety and the plethora of choices we have to read what speaks to us.

Mel: I have heard you use the expression, "Read with a writer's eye," Judy. What does that mean?

Judy: This is actually not mine, Mel, but a piece of very good advice given to students of the Institute of Children’s Literature, and I take it to mean reading books to see how they are written. As you read children's books, enjoy them, of course! But also look at the elements that make them what they are. When you laugh at a certain point, what made you laugh? When you can't put the book down, why not? When you can just see that character, why is that? Similarly, when you find yourself thinking about ironing your husband's shirts, why is that?

Mel: I'm worried that if I read children's books I might accidentally copy someone else's ideas. Don't you worry about that?

Judy: I think as authors, as creators, we have our own perspective, and our own take on life. No one looks out of these eyes but me. When we read other people's books, we read them for the purpose of enjoyment and to study their craft. Not to copy. We are authors.

Mel: I don't know what age I want to write for. What should I do?

Judy: What age do you remember best? When you reach for a children's book, for what age does it tend to be? That might give you a clue. But overall, write what you need to write, and let the rest of it take care of itself.

Judy: Happy New Year to you, too, charweb.

Judy: I spend most of my day writing, but I always read at least a part of every day. I keep reading material everywhere: in the car, in the bedroom, in all the closets!!! Because I feel reading is part of my job as an author.

Judy: I read children's books and material about children's books primarily, but I also read magazines about things I am interested in. And I belong to two book clubs. Now I must admit that sometimes I don't get to the book of the month, and when I tell the other members of the book club that I was too busy reading children's books, well the look on their faces is just precious!! It's sort of like, “Well, that should only take about five minutes!”

Mel: HA, ain’t it easy! J

Judy: Well, the answer to that yesterday or today is different than it will be next week! And that's mainly because I just finished the fourth book in my Children’s Book Corner series, which is a series of books for teachers, librarians, and parents about reading aloud to kids. So that writing, which of late was about 12 hours a day, was for adults. But next week I will be turning my attention more fully to writing for children, as well as working on two pieces I am writing for the Children's Writer.

Mel: Tell us about that four-volume series of yours, Judy. I know it's been VERY successful. How did it come about, and long has it taken you?

Judy: The idea for the series started with a column I wrote for the Mother Connection in which I reviewed children's books. Each month I would write about one book that parents should not miss reading with their child. I conceived the idea of a volume of such recommendations. TEN years later, and many rejection letters (put that in your formula, Mel!), I read in the market news in Children's Writer about an editor at Libraries Unlimited/Greenwood Publishing. I sent her a proposal for one book and she asked me if I was interested in making it a series. Guess what I said? And so the series was born. It begins with a book for Pre-K to Kindergarten, then a book for grades 1-2; and one for grades 3-4; and the one I just finished will be for grades 5-6. The books have basically three components: read-aloud plans for teachers to follow for recommended read-alouds, tips for teachers and librarians, and Parent Pull-Out Pages, which are pages teachers or librarians can reproduce and send home with kids to parents that encourage reading aloud at home.

Mel: How did you decide which books to feature in Children’s Book Corner?

Judy: I read Publishers Weekly, Horn Book, and other professional resources, and keep up on the children's awards of note, and then I read, read, read, to determine the books I will feature. A book must have depth, a wide audience, and lend itself to being read aloud to a group.

Mel: What FUN—the reading research! What was your favorite children's book you read for the Children’s Book Corner you just finished, for 5th and 6th graders? And, for the 3-4, 1-2, and Pre-K-K volumes?

Judy: Well, for the one I just finished, which is the 5th and 6th grade volume, the books that immediately come to mind are Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson, Sahara Special by Esme Raji Codell, and Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.

Judy: For the Pre-K - K book, I remember loving The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, and Kiss Good Night by Amy Hest, and He Saves the Day by Marsha Hayles.

Mel: While you're recommending books, Judy, can you name a few recently published books in the PICTURE BOOK category that you consider outstanding—and tell us why you think they're outstanding?

Mel: So MANY EXCELLENT recommendations--THANK YOU!!! And how about naming a few recently published books in the MIDDLE-GRADE NOVEL genre that you consider outstanding, too—and tell us why you think they're outstanding?

Judy: A classic series for middle graders is the Anastasia Krupnik series written by Lois Lowry.

Mel: AMEN and AWOMEN to that!

Judy: And a newer series is the Spiderwick Chronicles, which is fantasy and fun. Louis Sachar and Andrew Clements write great books for fourth and fifth graders, as does Jon Scieszka. And don't forget A Long Way from Chicago and A Year Down Yonder, by Richard Peck, and Linda Sue Park's Project Mulberry.

Mel: You could probably tell this next question was coming! J Could you name a few recently published titles of YOUNG ADULT NOVELS that you consider outstanding—and explain why you feel they are outstanding?

Judy: OK!! I love Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson, many of Joan Bauer's books, The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen, True Believer by Virginia Euwer Wolf. And Chris Crutcher and Sonya Sones are amazing authors, too! Oh, and The First Part Last by Angela Johnson! They stand out in my mind because there are so many layers to the stories and the characters breathe. Their stories are touching, and they remain with the reader long after the book is closed. And with True Believer, I never saw what happens in the end coming. You could have knocked me over with a page in the book! It’s an amazing story in verse for the teen audience.

Mel: Here is a TOUCHING reading experience being told by a friend of ours:

Mel: THANKS, omalizzie!

Judy: What a WONDERFUL story!!!

Judy: My first pay was a whopping five dollars! My husband bought a cookie cake, and kicked in the remainder! That was about six months after I began writing for publication, and it's gotten better since then!!

Judy: I have one lovely daughter, who is a teen, and we share books, ideas, and yes, she inspires me. It seems I find myself enjoying writing for the age she is, and that may be partly because as she goes through stages she reminds me of those times in my life.

Mel: Or could you recommend books on that topic?

Judy: No, I have not written about that, but I can recommend a few titles I think are tender and timeless. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney by Judith Viorst, and Cynthia Rylant's books, one of which is The Heavenly Village, and there are two more, one about cats and one about dogs, Cat Heaven and Dog Heaven respectively.

Mel: I'm not sure if my book is the right length for a picture book, Judy. Any advice?

Judy: Write the book you need to write first, then evaluate the age for which it is best suited. Picture books vary in length, of course, from one or two words to several hundred. But a good rule of thumb, generally, is under 1000 words, and exactly 32 pages. Try working up a dummy of your book. Are there good page-turners on every spread? Are there a multitude of illustration opportunities? Is it written from a child's perspective? Did you leave room for the illustrator? These are just a few questions to consider as you craft your picture book story.

Mel: How will reading other children's books help me decide what age child my manuscript is suited for?

Judy: When you read other children's books, you are learning about age levels, attention spans, interest levels, and what the market reflects. The more you read, the more you will have a sense for age levels of children's books in the various genres and sub-genres.

Mel: How do publishers decide on an age level for a book?

Judy: Publishers’ opinions vary! I once heard a publisher of a major house refer to an 8-year-old reader as someone for whom a very sophisticated novel would be suitable. Generally, though, publishers use age spans, because, of course, all kids are different. I would say, though, that publishers try to indicate suitability a bit by covers, and sizes of books. And a book with an age 12 and up recommendation is often meant for an older child, than say, a book with an 8-12 label, even though “12” is in both age spans.

Mel: Here is a question from a Ghanian, Amuda Muhammed, who cannot be here at the time of our chat in the U.S., but sent these questions: First, what, in your opinion, are the five best children's books of all time?

Judy: Goodness! I can only say what I remember as being great reads from my childhood, and then as I entered teaching, and now as I work on Children's Book Corner. So here goes...Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak would have to be one. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson, of course! Winnie the Pooh, the original, and then there are about a hundred that crowd my mind and say, “PICK ME! PICK ME!”

Mel: EXCELLENT choices, Judy!!! WHAT a MEMORY you have!

Amuda in Ghana: Just what was it that made those books the best? Was it the passion in the writing or the subject selected for the books?

Judy: Always it is the passion, I think, Amuda. I've read books on subjects I wasn't interested in and couldn't put the book down. Similarly, I remember handing my daughter who does not love historical fiction, the book When My Name was Keoko by Linda Sue Park and she was mesmerized by that story. Another time I bought her the biography of Steven Spielberg by Susan Golman Rubin entitled Steven Spielberg: Crazy for Movies. Again, it was another genre of little interest to her—until she read that book. She went on to read several biographies and memoirs after that. And it was, I believe, the passion of the authors that turned her on to the genre in both cases.

Judy: Style is you, Amuda, coming through your words. The theme is more universal; however, it is the treatment of the theme that will determine the worth of the book. Write from your heart, polish, polish, revise, revise, read, read, read, and polish some more. Good luck with your writing, Amuda!

Mel: SUPERGOOD answers, Judy!!!

Judy: Hi JB! Like those initials!! You and only you can answer that question, of course. But if you love to write, and you love the story you want to tell, then I say keep submitting. Consider the responses, if any, that you have received from those who passed on the manuscript, but always remember that it is your story. It may just be that it has to land on the right desk. Remember always, JB, it is the manuscript that is being rejected, not you!

Mel: I agree, Judy! And I was JB's ICL Instructor long ago, and her writing was excellent even then!

Judy: There are many! A few that come to mind are American Girl Magazine for 8 to 11-year-old girls, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children has been popular and beloved forever. But the best advice is find a magazine about something a child loves, and that's the favorite! Likewise, when you write an article, match it to the magazine that focuses on that subject or is looking for that type of article, and it may become your favorite, too!

Judy: Children love animals and they love toys in books. They love characters who are experiencing what they want to know about, care about, worry about, are trying to work out for themselves, or wonder about.

Judy: I believe in Santa and I'm OLD!!

Mel: HA, I do, too, and I even OLDER than you! J I would recommend reading the book, The Truth About Santa Claus by Jim Giblin, passion. That should help you answer the question.

Mel: Judy, I have definite ideas about what I want my stories to teach kids. How will reading other authors' books help me?

Judy: They will help you to see how authors who are published are successful at writing a wonderful story that has a message. The story comes first, always. The message ought to grow out of it naturally.

Mel: I don't have a very good library where I live. What do I do?

Judy: Move!! Just kidding.

Mel: HA—a very moving answer, Judy! J

Judy: Are there bookstores nearby? Pull up a chair. Can you borrow books on interlibrary loan? You just have to find a way to read children's books!

Mel: Last question, I'm afraid: If you had one piece of advice to give to aspiring writers, what would it be?

Judy: I bet you can guess my answer, Mel! Read, read, read, write, write, write!

Mel: The time has whizzed by tonight, Judy, as I was SURE it would, because always you talk so ably about the children's books to read that will make us better children's writers by teaching us how to write for children. THANK YOU so MUCH for taking time this very week to chat with us, when the fourth book in your successful Children’s Book Corner series was due from you. We give your our BEST for your continued success with the books you write, that are so effective for adults and for children, as well. Even though you have been our guest three times now, what you bring to us each chat is always new, and always so needed by us children's writers. Would you come back again some day and continue giving us your marvelous help?

Judy: Would love to return, Mel. Thanks to all of you for the great questions!

Mel: At the next Guest Chat in our ICL Chat room, we will be chatting with a special guest that it has taken me three years to bring in as our Chat Guest, Dandi Daley Mackall, who has written and published good books for ALL ages, from picture books to young adult novels. One of Dandi's recent Christmas picture books, The Shepherd’s Christmas Story, was illustrated by Dominic Catalano, who was our ICL Chat Guest illustrator last April 28. Dandi Daley Mackall is in London even now as we chat. She has two new novels, Eva Underground-coming out this coming March from Harcourt Children's Books-and Maggie’s Story—out from Tyndale House next April. Dandi recently sent me cover pictures of these two novels, which superbly announce these books coming out this spring. She has written over 300 books for adults and children—and she will be here Thursday, January 19!

Mel: Judy Bradbury, again we appreciate—as we ALWAYS have in past—your coming to chat with us about children's books to read, and books you have written, both for children and for adults. We wish you well with your deadline for the fourth volume of your series, Children’s Book Corner: Tips, Techniques, and Plans for Teachers, Librarians, and Parents. We'll be looking for that fourth fresh, original, and most informative guide to children's books soon, Judy! And please thank your HUSBAND for his computer help!

Judy: Will do! Good night!!

Mel: GOODNIGHT and GOOD YEAR, EVERYchildren'sWRITER!