Most Popular Books by Judy Young

State birds, flowers, trees, and animals brought to board book form for the youngest book lovers. Toddlers will delight in these books filled with rhyming riddles framed by brightly painted clues, introducing elements that make each state so special.

2019 Kansas State Reading Circle Selection for the Catalog in the Intermediate School Division It''s 1969 and Marty''s family lives on the U.S. island of Guam, where his father manages the NASA tracking station. It''s important work and never more so than during the Apollo 11 space mission, where the tracking station relays signals back and forth between the astronauts and Mission Control in Houston, Texas. Along with the rest of the world, Marty listens to every mission update, including the historic landing on the moon and astronaut Neil Armstrong''s first steps. But during Apollo 11''s return to Earth, something goes wrong. There is a problem with the tracking station''s antenna during the final hours of the mission. The problem must be resolved--the antenna is the only way Mission Control can communicate with the astronauts before Apollo 11 splashes down. Marty finds himself playing a key role in helping bring the craft safely back to Earth. Based on actual events, young readers get a front-row seat to this historic event in this new entry in the Tales of Young Americans series.

Miss Wright is a writer. She enjoys her work. Each day she sits at her desk and writes stories with marvelous characters who live exciting lives. But, except for the click-click-click of the keyboard, it is quiet in Miss Wright''s office. Too quiet. And too lonely. So Miss Wright decides she needs a pet to keep her company. But finding the perfect pet may not be as easy as it sounds. A mynah bird is too quiet, a cat makes her sleepy, and a hamster running around on its wheel makes Miss Wright dizzy. What''s a lonely writer to do? As the happy ending to her story, Miss Wright finds not only the perfect pet but also the perfect helpmate to her work. Judy Young''s books with Sleeping Bear Press include the recently released A Book for Black-Eyed Susan and The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures. Judy speaks at schools and conferences across the country. She lives near Springfield, Missouri. Andrea Wesson studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and has illustrated several picture books, including Not Just Another Moose, Opera Cat, and Argus. She lives in Maryland and would love to live in Miss Wright''s house by the beach (but not with a monkey).

Communicate Successfully in Business and in Life! Simple Accent Reduction & Speech Training is a complete, hands-on workbook that gives all of the basic tools you need to speak English more clearly and confidently. It gives easy step-by-step exercises and drills in exact placement of lips, teeth and tongue for all of the sounds of the English language. It includes special warm-up exercises that strengthen the voice and all muscles used for speaking. Also included are tongue twisters to give the voice a workout, plus an audio version dictionary pronunciation key. This book is excellent for anyone of any nationality, and effective help for actors and public speakers.

Communicate Successfully in Business and in Life! Simple Accent Reduction & Speech Training Video Book is a complete, hands-on workbook that gives all of the basic tools you need to speak English more clearly and with confidence. It gives easy step-by-step exercises and drills in exact placement of lips, teeth and tongue for all of the sounds of the English language. Set in a classroom atmosphere, Author Judy Young guides you through all of the exercises so that you can see and hear how the sounds are correctly made. It includes special warm-up exercises that strengthen the voice and all muscles used for speaking, plus tongue twisters to give the voice a workout. There is also a video dictionary pronunciation key. This book is excellent for anyone of any nationality, and effective help for actors and public speakers.

It is 1933 and the Great Depression has ravaged the nation. Millions of people are out of work; thousands of families are struggling to keep a roof overhead and food on the table. But Momma still finds ways to count her blessings (lucky stars) from Ruth''s new shoes to Poppa''s new job. But where Momma sees the ''bright,'' Ruth only sees the dark. Her shoes are hand-me-downs from a neighbor and Poppa''s new job keeps him away from home for months. And now their town can''t afford to keep the school open. Ruth will not be going to fourth grade even though she''s one of the brightest students in her class. How can anyone find the good in that? But when Ruth stops thinking of her own problems and focuses on someone else''s, she realizes that being a lucky star is the best way to start seeing your own lucky stars.In addition to writing children''s books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and Lazy Days of Summer. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. This is Chris Ellison''s third book in the Tales of Young Americans series. He also illustrated Rudy Rides the Rails and Pappy''s Handkerchief. His first book with Sleeping Bear Press, Let Them Play, was named a 2006 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Chris lives in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Each paperback in this series features a trio of fictional stories highlighting a moment in American history. Troubled Times contains three stories focusing on the Great Depression. In The Lucky Star a girl helps her sister and other children learn to read when their school is closed. Rudy Rides the Rails features a boy living the hobo life. In Junk Man''s Daughter, a family struggles after moving to the United States.

Buck and Toni, along with the rest of the Wild World of Buck Bray TV crew, head to Utah''s Canyonlands National Park to film an episode about the canyons and rock formations as well as the ancient people who once lived there. When they learn about dinosaur fossils nearby, they decide to include that in their filming. But soon, Buck and Toni find themselves in danger at the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds, as they try to discover who is behind the vandalization and theft of the area''s ancient artifacts.

Ross & Judy Young''s combined belief that children comprehend intricate ideas at a very young age made it possible for them to seamlessly create "S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet." The husband and wife team elegantly synthesize text and illustration to provide a rich texture of the Show Me State. The alphabet book employs a two-tiered approach that reaches Pre-K through 6th grade students. A rhyme for each letter of the alphabet catches the attention of younger readers, while older elementary students grasp a richer understanding of the topic by reading expository information on the same page.

When ten-year-old Cora and her family leave their home in Missouri, their hearts are filled with the hopes and dreams of a bright future gleaming with promise and opportunity. But the journey west by wagon train is harsh, and tragedy strikes swiftly and unexpectedly. Now Cora and her father must steel themselves for a different future from what they had carefully planned. How can they move forward when their hearts are broken? But move on they must, and Cora takes comfort in her new baby sister (named Susan after the black-eyed flowers). When Cora learns she and Susan are to be separated at the end of their journey, she looks to the past to help craft a link to their new lives. Judy Young is an award-winning author of children''s fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Her other books in the Tales of Young Americans series are Minnow and Rose (2010 Storytelling World Resource Award) and The Lucky Star (2009 Storytelling World Honor Award). Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. Doris Ettlinger graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and has numerous picture books to her credit, including the award-winning The Orange Shoes. Doris lives and teaches in an old grist mill on the banks of the Musconetcong River in western New Jersey.

Westward Journeys contains three stories focusing on the American westward expansion, including the Oregon Trail and the Oklahoma Land Run. In Minnow and Rose, Rose and her family are traveling with a wagon train heading west on the Oregon Trail. When she encounters Minnow, a young native girl, their meeting has life-changing results for both cultures. The Oklahoma Land Run is the topic in Pappy''s Handkerchief. When Moses and his family hear of free farmland out in Oklahoma, they head west to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning their own land. After a difficult wagon trip, they arrive at the staging point for the Oklahoma Land Run. In A Book for Black-Eyed Susan, Cora''s family is faced with tragedy during their journey on the Oregon Trail. When Cora learns she is to be separated from her baby sister, she creates a memento of their journey together.

Eleven-year-old Kaden has managed to stay under the radar for most of his life. With the exception of Kubla, a pet crow, Kaden doesn''t have any friends his own age and he''s okay with that. After all, friends can ask inconvenient questions. Questions like Why do you live with your grandmother and where is your father? Questions Kaden doesn''t want to answer. Apart from school and a few trips to town, Kaden and Gram keep to themselves, living a simple life at their cabins outside the small community of Promise. But now Kaden''s life is getting a lot more complicated. He''s starting middle school, which brings its own set of problems for a boy who doesn''t fit in. And then he learns that his father, a man he has never known, is getting out of prison and moving to Promise. After years of being the outsider at school, Kaden is given a chance to come out of his shell when Yo-Yo, a new boy, moves to the area and offers friendship. But can Kaden trust him? Will Yo-Yo be a real friend after he learns about Kaden''s father? The true meaning of friendship, love, responsibility, and loyalty is explored in this novel for middle-grade readers.

In his third wilderness adventure, eleven-year-old Buck Bray, along with the rest of The Wild World of Buck Bray TV crew, including the cameraman''s daughter, Toni Shoop, heads to Yellowstone National Park to film an episode about its famous geysers and hot springs. They are also there to learn more about the park''s gray wolf restoration program. But soon after arriving, Buck narrowly escapes injury when a herd of bison stampedes. Buck is almost certain the animals were agitated by a drone. Flying drones in a national park is illegal. Who is behind it? What are they trying to do? And drones aren''t the only problem. Someone is threatening the wildlife. Once Buck and Toni start to investigate, they find out that gray wolves are not the only top predator in Yellowstone.

From earliest times, the concept of "play" has been part of the human experience. And while some pastimes have gone in and out of favor over the years, some never change or lack for enthusiasts. Using poetry and prose, Judy Young relives many of the familiar games of childhood and invites young readers to join along as she plays Kick the Can, Monkey in the Middle, and Double Dutch jump rope. "The rope starts to turn and I jump with my feet As I sing out a song with the same rhythmic beat, Turn around, touch the ground, first jump slowly, then fast; How many more jumps do you think I will last?" Colorful artwork reinforces the underlying message of the importance of physical play in today''s techno-driven world. In Lazy Days of Summer even "older" children will recall the welcome tang of lemonade after a rugged game of tag.Lazy Days of Summer is Judy Young''s third book with Sleeping Bear Press. She also wrote the playful and popular Ris for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet, which received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Judy teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators, and lives near Springfield, Missouri. Kathy O''Malley graduated from Chicago''s Columbia College and has illustrated more than 30 children''s books. Her artwork can also be found on greeting cards, limited-edition collectibles, and other decorative products. Kathy lives in Glenview, Illinois.

Our Readers (also known as "primers") are modeled after the popular nineteenth-century McGuffey Readers, which were used to teach life lessons and reading skills to young children. Judy Young, the author of S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet and Show Me the Number: A Missouri Number Book, pays homage to her home state in the entertaining and informative The Missouri Reader. Using colorful illustrations and a variety of writing forms, The Missouri Reader showcases the state''s rich heritage and natural charms, as well as its place in American history. Poems, state symbols, and riddles engage beginning readers. Prose, biographies, and short stories challenge more advanced readers. Topics include a state pledge, early Native American culture, famous citizens, and a Reader Theater performance piece. A timeline listing major events in state history is also featured. Judy Young has written several books for Sleeping Bear Press, including R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures. Judy speaks at schools and educational conferences across the nation. She lives near Springfield, Missouri. K. L. (Kate) Darnell has illustrated all of the books in the Reader series, as well as a number of other books for Sleeping Bear Press. In addition to her work as an illustrator, Kate is an art instructor. She lives in East Lansing, Michigan.

In the mid-1800s thousands of pioneers crossed the western plains of the United States using the 2,000-mile pathway called the Oregon Trail. Minnow and her family live in one of the many native villages scattered across the plains. She has a lively sense of adventure and her favorite pastime is swimming in the nearby river where she rightly earns her nickname. Rose and her family are traveling in one of the many wagon trains making their way west. It''s been a tedious journey with little excitement. Rose can''t wait for something thrilling to happen. And one day it does. On the banks of a rushing river that divides one way of life from another, two very different cultures come face-to-face, with life-changing results.In addition to writing children''s books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Lucky Star. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. A graduate of the Ringling School of Art and Design, Bill Farnsworth has created paintings for magazines, advertisements, children''s books, and fine art commissions. He has illustrated more than 50 children''s books and his book awards include a Teachers'' Choice Award, the 2005 Patricia Gallagher Award, and the 2007 Volunteer State Book Award. Bill lives in Venice, Florida.

AV2 Fiction Readalong by Weigl brings you timeless tales of mystery, suspense, adventure, and the lessons learned while growing up. These celebrated children’s stories are sure to entertain and educate while captivating even the most reluctant readers. Log on to www.av2books.com, and enter the unique book code found on page 2 of this book to unlock an extra dimension to these beloved tales. Hear the story come to life as you read along in your own book.

Judy Young (1940–2015) was a gifted but private poet. Over the years, she established provisional collections of her best work but refrained from seeking publication due to her trepidation with sharing her deeply personal poems with an audience. She found her voice in a collective group of creatives that included Susan Starr Richards, Mary Ann Taylor-Hall, and the late Donna Boyd, Jane Gentry, Audrey Robinson, and Carolyn Hisel. This illustrious circle of friends met monthly for almost thirty years and gave her the courage to share her work—a lyrical medley of pain, beauty, strength, and redemption. Revealed is the story of a woman''s inner life—an intimate tale of abuse and personal struggle— from a traumatic childhood through marriage, parenthood, and lifelong friendships. Based on the final manuscript that was drafted before the author''s death, this compilation traces the path of a woman finding her poetic voice in middle age, returning to an often-harrowing upbringing while closely observing the natural world—especially the populations of birds moving through the space between her back porch and the lake below—and meditating on the nature of creativity. With a submerged narrative behind the poems and several calls to nature through repeated motifs, the poet shares seminal emotions and experiences. A Careful Hunger is the last creative testament of this extraordinary artist—her final act of fearlessness in a troubled yet joyful life. In the words of the poet: "I am alive and must say so / one way or another."

As the star of a new kid-oriented wilderness show, eleven-year-old Buck Bray travels to Denali National Park to shoot the first episode. It promises to be an exciting gig and he''s happy to get to spend some time with his director father. Buck''s annoyed when the cameraman''s daughter, Toni, unexpectedly shows up. But the kids work together when they realize two grizzly bear cubs are missing and they set out to solve the mystery, which includes breaking up a criminal ring.

Outside Beijing, China, in the year 1572, nine-year-old Hu-Wan tends the vegetable garden with his grandfather. Their specialty is growing gourds that are made into ladles and bowls and sold in the marketplace. Each year, one special gourd is made into a cricket cage. This year, it is Hu-Wan''s turn to grow and carve the special gourd. He decides it should be carved into the shape of a sleeping dragon. When Hu-Wan learns that the emperor has died and his nine-year-old son is named Emperor of China, he decides to give the dragon cricket cage to the young emperor to offer comfort and cheer.

Read Along or Enhanced eBook: Using a charming combination of poetry and prose, author Judy Young explains the bedtime habits of some common North American animals, including moles, moose, and beavers. Young readers will learn not only where certain animals make their beds but also how and why they sleep as they do. Each animal is introduced with a rhythmic singsong-y, tongue-twisting poem guaranteed to bring smiles and encourage reader participation. The accompanying expository text includes information about the animal''s unique sleeping habits. Finally, at book''s end, the reader is gently guided back to a soft cozy bed of her own.

Bring the magic of poetry to life with R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet. From acrostics and ballads to meter and metaphor, author and poet Judy Young has written a delightful collection of poems to illustrate poetic tools, terms and techniques. Each term or technique is demonstrated in an accompanying poem so readers can see the method at work. Whether haiku or rap, sonnets or cinquain, budding writers of all ages will be inspired to put their imaginations to work crafting their own poems.Judy Young remembers showing one of her poems to her grandmother when she was about 10 years old, and she has been in love with writing poetry ever since. Judy is the author of another Sleeping Bear Press book, S is for Show Me: A Missouri Alphabet. Judy lives with her family near Springfield, Missouri. Victor Juhasz''s humorous illustrations and caricatures have been commissioned by such clients as Time, Newsweek, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and The New York Times. He is also the illustrator of the popular D is for Democracy: A Citizen''s Alphabet. Victor lives and works in Stephentown, New York.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Star in a Play, after being cast in a theatrical production, the siblings take different approaches in preparing for the stage. Digger is worried he will forget his lines, while Daisy is confident she doesn''t need to rehearse.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go Camping, it''s summertime and the siblings head out to the woods to camp. Daisy says it will be fun but Digger isn''t too sure. There might be bears. Digger and Daisy hike and swim and camp. But when it comes time for bed, Digger has a hard time falling asleep. Is it a bear?

Explorer Basil Bernard Barnswhitten (B.B.B.) has a list of creatures he needs to verify for an important report so he visits the Finchhaven Museum of Extraordinary Curiosities, Oddities & Improbabilities. But he finds that one of the glass exhibit cases is damaged - something appears to be missing. Or did it escape? To complete his report, B.B.B. travels around the world to track down each creature on his list, all the while asking the same three questions: Is it alive? Is it extinct? Did it ever exist? By deciphering the clues in his journal, young explorers can accompany B.B.B. as he tries to locate each mysterious creature. Finding them won''t be easy; lushly detailed scenes serve not only as camouflage but also as habitats to other strange and mysterious marvels. In addition to writing children''s books, Judy Young teaches poetry writing workshops for children and educators across the country. Her other books with Sleeping Bear Press include the popular R is for Rhyme: A Poetry Alphabet and The Lucky Star. Judy lives near Springfield, Missouri. Laura Francesca Filippucci was born in Milan, Italy, where she graduated in Illustration at the Istituto Europeo di Design. She later specialized in Children''s Book Illustration at the School of Visual Arts, New York. She lives in Milan with her family.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. On a trip to the city Daisy gets to spend time shopping but she doesn''t allow Digger to do anything, telling him he will get lost. But Digger finds a way to do what he wants.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go on a Picnic, Digger and Daisy walk to the park for a picnic. On the way there Digger''s keen sense of smell leads him to explore his surroundings, ending up with an encounter with a skunk.

Eduardo and his family live in a small town in Ecuador, not far from the Amazon rainforest. The rainforest is an important part of their lives. Each month Eduardo and his father travel by river from their town to the rainforest. There, using just a basket and a machete, they gather Brazil nuts. They are castañeros and this is how they earn their living. But the rainforest is not only important to the castañeros; it is home to many exotic species of plants, birds, and mammals, including two playful tamarins that Eduardo has named Tuki and Moka. So although it is difficult work being a castañero, Eduardo looks forward to his visits to the rainforest so he can play with his two friends. But one night, the peace of the forest is threatened by poachers, animal traffickers who illegally capture and then try to sell some of the birds and animals. Can Eduardo save his friends?

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same—their steadfast love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo Digger tries to imitate the various animals they see while Daisy tries to tell him what he can and cannot do.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love and concern for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go to the Doctor, Digger feels unwell and Daisy takes him to the doctor. But the checkup doesn''t go as Daisy had planned.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Plant a Garden, it''s springtime and Daisy thinks they should plant a garden with good things to eat. Digger digs the holes and Daisy plants seeds for carrots, tomatoes, and other vegetables. But Digger has a surprise in store for Daisy.

"A father goes to ever-increasing lengths to entice his son to get into the bath tub, including building a water slide and adding aquatic animals"--

In this 30-page children''s bedtime book journey with sleepy children to all the places they belong! From rocking chair to room, house, neighborhood, state, country, world, solar system and back, Young''s words and Becker''s illustrations are a universe of wonder where all belong...

"Using numbers many of Missouri''s state symbols, history, and landmarks, are introduced. Topics include trout, flags, Riverbluff Cave, and the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse"--Provided by publisher.

In the United States alone there are close to 60 million hikers. And it''s the most popular outdoor activity in Canada. While hiking is a lot of fun, there are many health benefits, including physical exercise and stress relief from being out in nature. Using poetry and expository text, T is for Trails: A Hiking Alphabet gives young readers an A-to-Z guide on how to prepare and make the most of their outdoor adventures. Topics include information on gear and clothing, trail etiquette and safety rules, along with recommended trails to travel. And when you don''t have time to get out of town, there are suggestions on how to make the most of hiking near your home. T is for Trails is the perfect roadmap for hiking adventures. Front and back matter includes information on trail symbols and instructions on how to read a compass.

Meet Digger and Daisy! They are brother and sister. These dogs like to explore their world and see new things. Sometimes they agree with each other. Sometimes they disagree. But no matter the situation, one thing always stays the same--their love for each other. In playful, simple stories written especially for the K-1 audience, author Judy Young explores the dynamics and nuances of the sibling relationship. In Digger and Daisy Go on a Picnic, Digger and Daisy walk to the park for a picnic. On the way there Digger''s keen sense of smell helps him explore his surroundings. But will his nose lead him into trouble?