Greetings!

author_visit_program_school_mass_nonfiction_168
I’m glad you’re here!

I hope the photographs and activities
you peruse on these posts and pages
will inspire awe
in our Earth’s beauty and mysteries.

Boy Kissing Baby Painted Turtle, Chrysemys picta

This child-like delight is something to hold tight.

Helping children celebrate the world’s wonders
is my happy pursuit
as an author, photographer, and speaker.
Pages about my nonfiction books and school programs,
are indicated by the tabs at the top.

Thank you for visiting!
Judith

Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes

Virtual Visits Are Real

We may not have students
gathering round us,
asking questions,
telling us stories,
and offering hugs.
But virtual visits
still connect us
to students’ hearts
and minds.

Thank you, parents and teachers
for reaching out.

I am fortunate to have your support
as are your students–FOR REAL!

Meeting students, parents, and teachers is one of the best parts of my job!
I am looking forward to meeting many of you virtually this year, during school visits!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

January 13, 2021 2

After 8 Years . . . a Reader’s Promise

After a school program, an excited second grader named Mateo came up to me and asked, “Have you written any books about conquistadors?”

I hadn’t, I told him. Then I suggested,
“If you are interested, you could do some research and write about them yourself.”

Eight years later, Mateo e-mailed to tell me that he had done just that.

Intrigued by Mateo and his writing project, I had a conversation with him.
Here are some snippets:

1. After eight years, what propelled you to begin researching and writing about conquistadors?

During Quarantine I had a lot of time to reflect, and so I made a list of things to accomplish. I had made a promise to begin this project, and I always keep my promises.

2. What did you enjoy most about this work?

When I was a kid I always wanted to learn more about the conquistadors, so accomplishing this long time goal of mine was a grand reward in the sense of making “childhood me” happy.

3. Is there anything about conquistadors that especially surprised you?

I think the thing that really surprised me was the exceeding amount of mutiny and betrayal found among them.

4. What aroused your curiosity about conquistadors?

I really think that my curiosity was originally sparked by Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated (my favorite show at the time). The show’s main mystery was the disappearance of the conquistadors, the founders of their town Crystal Cove. Back then, I really couldn’t tell the difference between fact and fiction.

Fact and Fiction:
Real-life animals who inspired monster myths

5. You told me that Real-Life Sea Monsters changed your feelings about reading. How so?

Before your book I hated reading. But your book changed my view. The incredible artwork grabbed my attention. And when you turned fiction to fact that really amazed me and made me enjoy reading more and more every day. It showed me something that I had not previously seen. Now I realize how much we can truly learn from books.

Mrs. Tigges, Mateo’s second grade teacher:
“I am so proud of Mateo.
It is a teacher’s dream to build a lifelong desire to learn.”

6. What are your favorite types of books?

I love history, fiction, science fiction, biographies, mysteries, adventure, monster horror, dystopian, survival, and science.

This is Mateo today.
He enjoys inventing–coming up with mechanical, logical and/or technical solutions–and is working on an A.I. assistant project.

Mateo’s parents: Florencia and Daniel,
to whom Mateo has requested that I dedicate this post.

Thank you for reaching out to me, Mateo.
We often do not know what influence our books have.
You are an inspiring person!

Meeting students, parents, and teachers is one of the best parts of my job!
I am looking forward to meeting many of you virtually this year, during school visits!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

November 6, 2020 2

VIRTUAL VISITS

What’s ahead for the

new school year?

No one knows.

But I’m excited about meeting teachers, students, and parents again

with new adventures to share.

I’ll visit virtually, until we can gather together once more

to celebrate reading and writing.

Hope to see you soon!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

September 14, 2020 0

Flower Box Babies

Here’s How It All Began:

No Eggs.

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_226 — Empty Robin Nest–Turdus migratorius

New Egg.

Four Eggs.

Blue Eggs.

Last one out is a rotten egg!

One Week Later!

Stay tuned to keep posted on their progress.

I miss being in the classroom with you.
But I am looking ahead to our gathering together
to celebrate reading and writing!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

June 4, 2020 0

Silent Spring?

Marsh Wren in Cattails, Cistothorus palustris

In this “silent spring”

the birds still sing.

Red-winged Blackbird Singing, Agelaius phoeniceus — Red-winged Blackbird, Agelaius phoeniceus

I miss being in the classroom with you.
But I am looking ahead to our gathering together
to celebrate reading and writing!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

March 23, 2020 0

GATOR AID

Alligators may be scaly,
but they’re warm and fuzzy mothers.

One lucky day in the Everglades, my husband and I discovered a mother alligator with two hatchlings. One baby was snoozing on her snout. The other was napping nearby on a log. Before you could say, Alligator mississippiensis, excited hikers crowded around, oooohing, ahhhhing, and clicking countless photos.

Alligator Babies — Hatchling alligators are about a foot long and are camouflaged with yellow stripes.

Her peaceful outing foiled, the mother–with baby aboard–drifted into the brush. But she didn’t forget her other hatchling.
Nudging the floating log with her nose, she pushed it away like a stroller!

American Alligator Baby, Alligator mississippiensis

Although alligators have a ferocious reputation, they are attentive mothers.
They guard their nest for three months and protect their young for up to three years.
Fish, birds, mammals, and even large alligators, enjoy snacking on eggs and hatchlings.

Two hatchlings of different ages bask in the sawgrass.

Despite their mother’s devotion, only about one in ten alligator hatchlings will survive to adulthood.

Alligator Jaw-Hi-Sharpened.jpg — Alligator ‘s have more than 70 teeth. When one breaks, another grows it’s place!

For further exploration of crocodilians . . .

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.
Keep reading and writing!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

January 24, 2020 0

Newton Authorfest

Come and meet everyone!

What: Authorfest Book Sale and Signing

Who: Twenty-five authors and illustrators

Where: Zervas School in Newton, MA

When: November 6, 2019 from 3:15-5:30

Here’s the link to the list of participants:

AuthorFest Book Signing Event 12×18

Hope to meet you in the classroom this year.

Keep reading and writing!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

October 22, 2019 0

Knock, Knock! Who’s there? Crayfish!

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_205 — **Tap! Tap! Children knock on pots to call out their crayfish during a science experiment.**

Hmmmmmm . . . Male or female?

**When I visit classrooms I learn about my readers–and from my readers! Thank you to all the teachers and students who welcomed me this year.**

Below are some highlights.

“Gators, Octopi, and Grizzlies, Oh, My!”

Version 2

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_208 — **Pre-program Reading**

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_210 — **Where’s the octopus’s stomach?**

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_211 — **Looking like an antelope**

“Exciting Writing!”

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_214 2 — **“Making Music” with Alliteration!**

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_213 — **“Painting Pictures” with similes.**

“Images of Immigrants”

4228474 — **“Even those with no possessions carry three things with them: courage, hope, and a story.”**

Author_visit_program_school_Mass_nonfiction_215 — **Children whose ancestors are Jewish, Italian, and Irish**

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.

Keep reading and writing!

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

June 17, 2019 0

Who’s Reporting on Your Book? You May Never Know, Unless . . .

Version 2 . . . a lovely parent sends you photos.


Matthew chose to report on porcupines.
He did some reading . . .

: and assembled a model with his sister Emily’s assistance.


After many hours of research and work . . . Ta da! A bristly beauty!

Matthew’s porcupine was ingeniously assembled with:
1. Styrofoam balls for the head and body
2. A large pine cone tail
3. Pipe cleaners for the hairs
4. Skewers for the body quills
5. Toothpicks for the face quills
6. A big button for the nose
7. Paper towel rolls for the legs
8. Styrofoam for the paws
9. A googly eye

Matthew also built a terrific tri-fold with photos, facts, and an author biography!

And here is his grade. Congratulations, Matthew!


Thank you Valeska, for these photos and for allowing me to post your son’s inspiring work! Judith

AUTHOR PROGRAMS/VISITS BROCHURE

Program/author visit video:
SCHOOL PROGRAM / AUTHOR VISIT VIDEO

Photography website:
http://www.agpix.com/cohen

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.
Keep reading and writing!

March 4, 2019 0

Nonfiction Author and Photographer

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What’s ahead for the

new school year?

No one knows.

Share this:

Here’s How It All Began:

No Eggs.

New Egg.

Four Eggs.

Blue Eggs.

Last one out is a rotten egg!

One Week Later!

Stay tuned to keep posted on their progress.

I miss being in the classroom with you.But I am looking ahead to our gathering together to celebrate reading and writing!

Share this:

In this “silent spring”

the birds still sing.

I miss being in the classroom with you. But I am looking ahead to our gathering together to celebrate reading and writing!

Share this:

Alligators may be scaly, but they’re warm and fuzzy mothers.

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom. Keep reading and writing!

Share this:

Come and meet everyone!

What: Authorfest Book Sale and Signing

Who: Twenty-five authors and illustrators

Where: Zervas School in Newton, MA

When: November 6, 2019 from 3:15-5:30

Here’s the link to the list of participants:

Hope to meet you in the classroom this year.

Keep reading and writing!

Share this:

When I visit classrooms I learn about my readers–and from my readers! Thank you to all the teachers and students who welcomed me this year.

Below are some highlights.

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.

Keep reading and writing!

Share this:

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom. Keep reading and writing!

Share this:

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I miss being in the classroom with you.
But I am looking ahead to our gathering together
to celebrate reading and writing!

I miss being in the classroom with you.
But I am looking ahead to our gathering together
to celebrate reading and writing!

Alligators may be scaly,
but they’re warm and fuzzy mothers.

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.
Keep reading and writing!

**When I visit classrooms I learn about my readers–and from my readers! Thank you to all the teachers and students who welcomed me this year.**

I look forward to meeting some of you in the classroom.
Keep reading and writing!