About Judy Young

Judy Young is the award-winning author of thirty children’s fiction, poetry and nonfiction picture books and novels. She has spoken at over 1,300 schools and children’s lit fests across the USA and is now bringing the same exciting educational programs to elementary, intermediate and middle schools with her virtual author visits. With 20 years of experience working in the public schools before becoming a full-time author, Judy relates well with students and teachers, and her presentations are directly related to school curriculum.

When Judy was ten years old, she showed her grandmother a poem she had written. Her grandmother encouraged her to keep writing and Judy did! Judy’s books are used extensively in classrooms across the country and have received numerous awards, honors and recognition. One of Judy’s most exciting honors was having A Pet for Miss Wright read by LeVar Burton for Reading Rainbow Storytime Video to celebrate National Reading Month. Another cherished honor was watching as R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet was performed by the Tanner Creative Dance Program and Children’s Dance Theatre of the University of Utah for their 58th annual performance. Judy says, “It brought tears to my eyes knowing my words were the creative inspiration of two other art forms: music and dance.”

Judy was born and raised in Springfield, MO, where she met her husband, Ross B. Young, a professional artist, who illustrated two of Judy’s books: S is for Show Me, A Missouri Alphabet and Show Me the Number, A Missouri Number Book. Judy received her Bachelor and Master degrees in Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Tulsa, and worked for 24 years in that field. In 2004, after having two books accepted for publication on the same day, Judy left that field to fulfill her dream of writing full time. Having lived in OK, ME and MO, Judy and Ross, along with several dogs, now reside in the Bear River Mountain Range thirteen miles from Preston, Idaho. When not writing or conducting virtual author visits, you can find Judy doing something outdoors! She’s often hiking, camping, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, playing with her dogs, working on the Youngs’ wildlife preserve called Raven’s Roost or gallivanting around the country in Arlo, the Youngs’ traveling studio.

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Books, Honors, and Awards

  • T is for Trails, A Hiking Alphabet, (Sleeping Bear Press, 2024)
  • Bobby Babinski’s Bathtub, (Sleeping Bear Press, 2020)
  • An Invisible Girl  (Kelsay Books, 2020)
  • Digger and Daisy Go Camping (Sleeping Bear Press, 2019)
  • Marty’s Mission, An Apollo 11 Story (Sleeping Bear Press, 2019)
    2021 Great Kids Can Read Award Finalist by Greater Kansas City Assoc. of School Librarians
    2019 Kansas State Reading Circle Selection
  • The Wild World of Buck Bray: The Wolves of Slough Creek (Sleeping Bear Press, 2019)
  • Hu Wan and the Sleeping Dragon (Sleeping Bear Press, 2017)
  • The Wild World of Buck Bray: Danger at the Dinosaur Stomping Grounds (Sleeping Bear Press, 2017)
    2024 The Week Junior Kid’s Magazine 50 Books for 50 States To Celebrate Read Across America selection for Utah
  • The Wild World of Buck Bray: The Missing Grizzly Cubs (Sleeping Bear Press, 2016)
  • Promise (Sleeping Bear Press, 2015)
  • Sleepy Snoozy Cozy Coozy, A Book of Animal Beds (Sleeping Bear Press, 2015)
    2016/2017 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Award Finalist
    2015 Creative Child Magazine Seal of Excellence Award
  • Digger and Daisy Plant a Garden (Sleeping Bear Press, 2016)
  • Digger and Daisy Star in a Play (Sleeping Bear Press, 2015)
  • Digger and Daisy Go to the City (Sleeping Bear Press, 2015)
  • Digger and Daisy Go to the Doctor (Sleeping Bear Press, 2014)
  • Digger and Daisy Go on a Picnic (Sleeping Bear Press, 2014)
  • Digger and Daisy Go to the Zoo (Sleeping Bear Press, 2013)
  • Tuki and Moka, A Tale of Two Tamarins (Sleeping Bear Press, 2013)
    2015 Storytelling World Honor Award for Pre-Adolescent Listeners
    2014 CBC and NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
  • Little Missouri (Sleeping Bear Press, 2012)
  • A Pet for Miss Wright (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011)
    2015 Read by LeVar Burton for Reading Rainbow Storytime Video for National Reading Month
    2013 Missouri Show Me Readers Award Finalist
    2012 Paterson Prize Honor Book
    2012 Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Crystal Kite Award Finalist
    2012 International Reading Association and Children’s Book Council Child’s Choice Award List
    2012 Kansas National Educational Association Reading Circle List
    2012 Louisiana Reading Association Child Choice Award Nomination
    2011 Parents’ Choice Approved Book Award
  • A Book for Black-Eyed Susan (Sleeping Bear Press, 2011)
    2014 Missouri Show Me Readers Award Second Place Winner
    2012 Women Writing the West Willa Award Finalist
    2012 Storytelling World Honor Award
    2012 Kansas National Educational Association Reading Circle List
    2011 National Parenting Publications Awards Gold Winner
    2011 Society of School Librarians International Honor Award
    2011 Chicago Parents Magazine Best Book List
  • The Missouri Reader (Sleeping Bear Press, 2010)
  • The Hidden Bestiary of Marvelous, Mysterious, and (maybe even) Magical Creatures (Sleeping Bear Press, 2010)
    2011/2012 Louisiana Young Readers Choice Award Nomination
  • Minnow and Rose (Sleeping Bear Press, 2009)
    2012 New York Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List
    2011/2012 Missouri Show Me Readers Award Nomination
    2010/2011 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Award Nomination
    2010/2011 Alabama Camillia Book Award Nomination
    2010/2011 Delaware Diamonds Book Award Nomination
    2010 Storytelling World Award Winner for Preadolescent Listeners
  • The Lucky Star (Sleeping Bear Press, 2008)
    2010/2011 Missouri Show Me Readers Award Nomination
    2009 Storytelling World Honor Award for Preadolescent Listeners
    2009 Rutgers University’s EconKids Project Top-Five Book
  • H is for Hook, A Fishing Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press, 2008)
  • Show Me the Number, A Missouri Number Book (Sleeping Bear Press, 2007)
  • Lazy Days of Summer (Sleeping Bear Press, 2007)
  • R is for Rhyme, A Poetry Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press, 2006)
    2008 Mom’s Choice Gold Award
    2008 Educator’s Choice Award
    2007 58th Annual Performance by the Tanner Creative Dance Program at University of Utah
    2006 National Parenting Publications Honor Award
    2006 Missouri Writers’ Guild Best Juvenile Book Award
    2006 Starred Kirkus Review
  • S is for Show Me, A Missouri Alphabet (Sleeping Bear Press, 2001)
    2008 Represented Missouri Center for the Book at the National Book Festival, Washington, DC