Judy Sierra

I 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 Oregon with my husband.

As a child, I read books, wrote poetry, drew, made books, and wrote, costumed and directed plays. I was totally immersed in creative activity. In college, I majored in French and thought of becoming a college professor, but my artistic urges just wouldn't let me be. I decided to become a children's librarian after I learned that the profession included generous amounts of puppetry and storytelling. I developed my knowledge and appreciation of children's literature, and honed my skills as a puppeteer. My husband and I started a puppet theater. We performed all around the U.S and taught puppetry as artists-in-residence in schools and museums.

When I write, I always remember my days as a performer, and how much children loved high drama and slapstick humor. Some of my children’s books are original stories and poetry, while others are retellings of traditional folktales. Most of my books have some connection to the oral tradition, and all of them are meant to be read aloud. I like to approach the classic genres of children’s literature in a 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.

Did you always know you were going to be a writer?

No, but I always wanted to create my own books. Just writing them wouldn't be enough. I wanted to make the whole book. Of course, this was back in the days before photocopy machines, so I would make two or three copies of a book by hand, then become discouraged (my hand got very, very tired). I asked my parents to buy me a printing press I saw advertised in a magazine, but it was so small that it only printed little strips of paper like bookmarks. It came with little rubber letters, but there weren't enough to print a story or even a poem. I used the printing press to make tickets for the puppet shows I put on. I was always writing plays and songs, and I wrote many of my school reports in rhyme, but I was only doing it for fun, and never dreamed my books would one day be published.

Where do you get your writing ideas?

Everywhere. . . from friends, from reading, from going new places (well, not really everywhere; I don't think I've ever gotten an idea from television). I keep a notebook of book ideas. (If you have a good idea, you don't want to forget it. Write it down right away!)

What are you working on now?

Right now I am working on a chapter book about a boy who has lots of funny, fantastic adventures.

When did you write your first book?

I wrote my first children's book, The Elephant's Wrestling Match, in 1989. Before that, I had written three books for adults about storytelling and puppetry.

Have you ever illustrated a book?

I haven't illustrated a picture book. I've had the great good fortune of having some of the most talented artists in the world illustrate my stories. However, I did create black-and-white drawings to illustrate my storytelling and puppetry books.

What's your favorite book that you wrote?

This question isn't fair! It's like asking a mother which of her children she loves the most. Usually, I like my newest book best.

Is it fun being a writer?

Yes, but writing is a job, and there are many difficult and frustrating times. The most enjoyable part of being a writer is spending time with children and adults who love to read.