BOOK REVIEW: HAPPY NATIONAL FUDGE DAY!

​How about celebrating with double the fudge? Choose a piece (or two) of your favorite flavor fudge to eat while you read a picture book about the creator of the Fudge (and other) books, Judy Blume, in:

​TITLE: OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT: A POETIC ODE TO JUDY BLUME
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Selina Alko
PUBLISHER: Christy Ottaviano Books/2026
OPENING LINES:
Judy the Great
Two days away
from Valentine’s Day
in an otherwise quiet town,
a girl who would grow up
to be a great writer is born.
The date is February 12, 1938.
The town in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
The girl is Judith Sussman.
            Otherwise known as Judy the Great.
​

Most of the books I read as a tween were authored by Judy Blume, so I had to check out this biography-in-verse when it released. It didn’t disappoint. Each poem serves as a snapshot of different stages and events in Judy Blume’s childhood so the reader can learn how these events shaped her to become a hugely successful author of beloved books for children, teens, and adults. The lyrical text accompanying art (including my favorites – illustrated end papers and surprise “undies”) is captivating and full of nods to Judy Blume’s books. If you’re a fan of Judy Blume, biographies, books-in-verse, or picture books in general, you’re going to love this one!

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