Lita Judge
Artist StatementBiography Lita Judge is a children's book author and illustrator. Her latest book, YELLOWSTONE MORAN, takes place in the summer of 1871, when a young painter named Thomas Moran joined a team of scientists heading for the untamed land called “the Yellowstone". Tom had never ridden a horse or slept under the stars before, but the paintings he created on his journey from city boy to seasoned explorer would lead to the founding of America’s first national park. Kirkus called the book "inspiring" and Colleen Mondoor of Bookslut said, “Yellowstone Moran is a picture book but it's ageless in every way possible. The artwork is arresting, the story gripping and Moran a true hero.”
In June 2009 she released PENNIES FOR ELEPHANTS, based on the true event of thousands of kids working together to earn money to buy the first elephants for Boston's Franklin Park Zoo in 1914. Publishers Weekly said, "Judge weaves a compelling tale based on a true, heartwarming incident...Warm sepia tones lend atmosphere and splashes of bright red, blue, purple and yellow in the children's outfits echo their sunny, can-do demeanor."
Her first picture book, ONE THOUSAND TRACINGS, is based on the true story of how her mother and grandparents started a relief effort after WWII to help Europeans who were in desperate need of food and clothing. This book was a 2008 Jane Addams Honor Book, an International Reading Association (IRA) Notable book for a Global Society, and the IRA Children's book Award winner. It was also selected as an ALA Notable Book, an NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts, and a Michigan Notable Book. For more information visit Lita's web site at LitaJudge.com.