Judith Caseley
My name is Judith Caseley. I write and illustrate stories about the feelings that I experienced as a child: loneliness, love, jealousy, fear, joy. I watch my own children grow and change, and they inspire me, too! Painting the pictures to go with these stories is like the icing on the cake. If a child takes a bite and enjoys it, I'm happy!
I was born in the small town of Winfield, New Jersey, a converted army development. All of the houses were painted white. My mother compensated by decorating my bedroom with paintings by Matisse, Rousseau, and Van Gogh. Later I added the German Expressionists. I remember my wall of flaming reds and banana yellows and jungle greens. I've loved color ever since.
I went to Syracuse University and majored in English, but felt I'd never get all of the reading done because I worked in the cafeteria. I switched into art in my sophomore year. During my four years in college, I never took a single course in illustration or writing. Ten years later, from greeting cards to gallery work, I was an author and illustrator of children's books. I worked part-time as a receptionist for years until I could support myself.
Much of my work is semi-autobiographical. I take small events from my life or from the lives of my children, and fictionalize them. Field Day Friday was based on my son Michael's field day, when his new sneaker fell off in the middle of the race. Mickey's Class Play dealt with his kindergarten play, in which he played a duck. Mama, Coming and Going was written about my actual mishaps as a mother - I accidentally locked my (then infant) daughter, Jenna, in the car, and took her to a birthday party on the wrong day, and thanked Aunt Mary for a gift that she never sent. Currently, Jenna is 19 and Michael is 15. He prefaces his stories with: "Not for publication." I tend to follow their curriculum, choosing nuggets from their day and spinning them into stories. I try to limit how much material I steal nowadays, but it's difficult.
I wrote Praying to A.L. a few years ago, while my father was dying of Alzheimer's Disease. It's a book that's close to my heart. It deals with loss, death, and rebirth, and I was able to read all about Abraham Lincoln in researching the book. I really did have a framed picture of Lincoln on my wall, and my sister and I started the A.L. Club, where we told him all our problems! Bully came next, and I used a handful of stories from Michael, Jenna, and my nephew, John, about bullies they had dealt with. My father was a bully when he was little, and liked to tell us about the time another child's mother called him a rat, when he used to be a mouse.
Both of my parents died in the year 2000, and I was afraid that my work might become much too weighted down with sorrow. However, in that same year, a local librarian told me that teachers complained that there were very few picture books written about community. I went home and wrote On the Town: A Community Adventure. My parents were gone, but painting those pictures gave me some measure of comfort. My mother is the nurse in the town square, taken from a photograph in the Berkshires, where we'd gone on vacation just a week before.
Sisters was sparked by a little girl showing me a photograph of a baby on the refrigerator door. "My sister is coming over on an airplane from China." It made me think about family love. Five years ago, I started working two days a week as a receptionist at a hair salon. Oh, the fun, the intrigue, the drama of it all! I wrote and illustrated In Style with Grandma Antoinette in celebration.
Contributor: Judith Caseley
Judith Caseley loves music and when she was growing up she sang and played the viola. Caseley also has both a love and talent for writing and drawing. In the late sixties Caseley went to art school and graduated in 1973 with a few awards for her work. Then she moved to London, married, and spent time painting. Caseley designed greeting cards and held a part-time position at Sotheby where she worked on the rare books counter. She continued to paint moving from oils to watercolors, and also studied animals and illustrations in books. Her husband shopped her portfolio, but this marriage did not last.
Upon returning to New York, Caseley brought her portfolio and idea for a picture book about stage fright to Susan Hirschman of Greenwillow (Morrow) Books. The rest is history. Caseley's first book Molly Pink, now out of print, reflected her own thoughts and feelings as a child and readers could relate to it and liked it. Each of her two dozen stories seems to be based on her own childhood or those of her children. They are warm, usually funny, and right on target. In Mr. Green Pease (1995, Ages 3 to 6, $15.00), Norman is the only kid in his nursery school who doesn't have a pet. Dad is allergic to animal hair and Mom thinks gerbils and guinea pigs are too much like rats. What's a kid going to do? Fortuitously, Dad's boss needs a pt sitter for a month, and what a pet. Norman delights is sharing his iguana with his disbelieving classmates.
Priscilla of Priscilla Twice (1995, Ages 4 to 8, $15.00) is like many children today who must deal with the divorce of their parents. My favorite is Mama, Coming and Going which according to our reviewer Marilyn Bagel is a funny and accurate look at the topsy-turvy life of Jenna and her mother when her new baby brother joins the family. Mama remembers to read a story at bedtime, but forgets to defrost the chicken for dinner. She takes Jenna to a friend's birthday party a week early, but never mind, Jenna doesn't care, she loves her Mama anyway. 1995, Ages 4 up, $14.00.
Lately, Caseley has broadened her writing to include books targeted for older readers.
Contributor: Marilyn Courtot
To view the Q & A feature with this author, click here.
Reviews
Bully
Judith Caseley
Mickey and Jack used to be best friends. Then something happens. It becomes a war of words between the two former friends. Jack starts calling Mickey names, then stealing his lunch and threatening him if he tells. Jack takes things from Mickey's desk and Mickey begins to feel helpless. He decides to talk to his dad. Dad suggests using brave words the next time that Jack is unkind, such as, "I don't like that." "Stop! You're hurting me." Mickey practices his brave words. His mom tries to explain possible reasons for Jack's hurtful behavior. Reader's discover Jack's mom has recently had a new baby. Mickey's mom suggests that he "love thy enemy." Jack soon finds out that it is hard to love your enemy when Mickey takes his baseball and throws it around the bus. After many attempts at healing the relationship between the two, it is finally the use of humor that becomes the key. In today's culture, bullying has become a serious problem. The book addresses the issue with sympathy and empathy, stressing the fact that the victim should tell an adult. Young and older readers alike will relate to the problem and find this story practical without preaching. Useful in the classroom, Sunday Schools and even in the home. 2001, Greenwillow Books, $15.95 and $15.89. Ages 4 up. Reviewer: Sue Reichard (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-17867-7
ISBN: 0-688-17868-5
Dorothy's Darkest Days
by Judith Caseley
Dorothy's boisterous life with her parents, two brothers, and sister is suddenly changed when something tragic happens to a classmate of hers, but she finds that things eventually do return to normal. Dorothy is the second child in the Kane family, with older sister Chloe, younger brother Harry and baby brother Arney. Dorothy's mom and dad try hard to make time for all of their children, but Dorothy sometimes feels left out. A special pet-sitting chore offers Dorothy time to have her father all to herself. At school, Dorothy does everything with her best friend Jessica. So when Dorothy's teacher assigns partners for working on a special class presentation, Dorothy is stunned to find out she has been partnered with Andrea. Nobody likes Andrea, a real show-off. After going through the list of people they can use for the class presentation, Andrea finally accepts Florence Nightingale as the subject of their report. Andrea's version of their presentation and Dorothy's version turn out to be totally different, and chaos in the classroom abounds. Dorothy's anger at Andrea subsides as events of the next few days unfold. This is an excellent book for children and parents to read together. 1997, Greenwillow Books, Ages 7 to 9, $15.00. Reviewed by: Joyce Rice
Field Day Friday
Judith Caseley
Mickey and Longjohn had been friends for as long as they could remember. They loved doing all kinds of activities, especially running. Mickey was short and sturdy and quick. Longjohn was tall and thin and speedy. When Field Day arrived, they were delighted to be assigned to the same team. When Longjohn dropped the egg in the Egg and Spoon Race, Mickey made a joke. When Mickey lost the napkin in the Waiter and Waitress Race, Longjohn made a joke. The Shoe Race was the finale and would determine the winning team. Mickey got so excited he forgot to tie his shoe. It fell off as he was running. Mickey came in last. He was embarrassed and unhappy. He didn't eat any of the watermelon and went straight to his room when he got home. Jenna (Mickey's sister) and Longjohn let Mickey know he was still tops in their eyes and the story ends happily. The colorful, cartoon-like pictures illustrate a loving family and a diverse group of young students. They contribute to the joyful tone of the book. 2000, Greenwillow Books, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-16761-6
ISBN: 0-688-16762-4
Harry and Arney
Judith Caseley
Six-year-old Harry Kane tries to think like a scientist, and he is scientifically certain that his mother's new baby will be a boy. Of-course this might be wishful thinking since he already has two older sisters. In any case, Harry does get his baby brother, who he names Arney, and learns that new babies take some adjusting to. Actually the whole family needs to exercise patience and understanding, whether it's dealing with a crying baby or Harry's experiments, like putting his chicken bones in his mother's favorite house plant pots for bone meal fertilizer. The Kanes are a good-natured family and everything works out in this gentle, humorous novel. This is the fourth in a series about the Kanes, but it can be enjoyed on it's own. 1994, Greenwillow, $14.00. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Gisela Jernigan, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-12140-3
Harry and Willy and Carrothead
Judith Caseley
Caseley has a way of making a point through the creation of rounded characters. She most definitely does this in Harry and Willy and Carrothead where layers of understanding peel away like an onion. Harry, the first character to whom we are introduced, is born without a hand and arm. Almost from the beginning of his life, it is clear that this is not something that is a primary characterization of him. He is almost "super-normal" in his creativity and openness. He can discuss his prosthesis or defend a new friend with equal ease. The character with first apparent disability is Carrothead who hates his red hair and even more hates being teased by Willy. Upon examination, it is really the bullying Willy who has the strongest handicap! With sensitivity and sensibility, Caseley works her story around the characters until she attains friendship and understanding for all three. 1991, Greenwillow, $16.00 and $15.93. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Susie Wilde (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-12140-3
Jorah's Journal
Judith Caseley
It's moving day at Jorah's house, and a rather depressing day at that. Jorah's father must relocate in order to keep his job, but she and her brother, Caleb, are reluctant to move. Besides having to leave, it's raining outside, and Jorah realizes she is going to have to "face the music" of leaving her only true friends. After the shock of a new town and home are over, mother gives each child a "house-warming gift." Jorah gets a new journal. In it, she expresses her true feelings about having to move, being accepted as a new student at school, celebrating her birthday, and finding a friend. Jorah and young readers will find out that moving can be an enormous challenge and, after the initial shock, a very exciting time in life. The book includes diary entries with realistic characters and situations. 1997, Greenwillow, $15.00. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Melinda Medley Sprinkle (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-14879-4
Losing Louisa
Judith Caseley
The ideal life--one cushioned by a stable, two-parent family--has eluded teenager Lacey Levine. Her mother is struggling to pay the bills and recover from a messy divorce. Her father is distracted by the pregnancy of his second wife. Only Lacey knows that her older sister Rosie is having sex in the basement. But Lacey has other problems, too. She can't stand watching her mother dress in tight pants to go out on dates. She resents the posh home her father lives in with his new family while his first family is pinching pennies amid faded blue wallpaper. Most of all, Lacey wants to figure out her own relationships with the opposite sex. Then Rosie discovers she is pregnant; and the family, including Grandma Pearl, converges to discuss Rosie's options. This bittersweet tale realistically portrays a teenager caught in the vortex of a family crisis. Caseley's characters are gritty and humorous, especially the mother who doesn't mind expressing herself with expletives. The issues of an unexpected pregnancy are discussed in a non-judgmental manner from both an adult and a teenage point of view. 1999, Farrar Straus & Giroux/Frances Foster Books, $17.00. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Jackie Hechtkopf (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Books for You: An Annotated Booklist for Senior High, Fourteenth Edition, 2001;
National Council of Teachers of English; United States
Middle And Junior High School Library Catalog, Eighth Edition, 2000; H.W. Wilson; United States
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards Honor 1999 Language Arts - Novels, Grades 7 - 12 United States
State and Provincial Reading Lists:
Tayshas High School Reading List, 2000-2001; Young Adult; Texas
ISBN: 0-374-34665-8
Mickey's Class Play
by Judith Caseley
Mickey's class is having a play about animals. Mickey ends up being the duck. On the night of the play, his feathers get wet and through a lot of last minute creativity and ingenuity, Mickey's family helps him to become the first ever "blue-winged teal from Saskatchewan, Ontario, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, and New Jersey." Everyone ends up quacking, singing, and going out to celebrate after the play. The exuberance of Mickey and his family is to be applauded. The illustrations are humorous and playful. 1998, Greenwillow, Ages 5 to 8, $15.00. Reviewed by: Emily Ferren
Mr. Green Peas
by Judith Caseley
Norman is the only kid in his nursery school who doesn't have a pet. Dad is allergic to animal hair and Mom thinks gerbils are guinea pigs are too much like rats. What's a kid going to do. Fortuitously, Dad's boss needs a pet sitter for a month, and what a pet. Norman delights in sharing his iguana with his disbelieving classmates. Lots of good humor from an author of many popular kids books. 1995, Greenwillow, Ages 3 to 6, $15.00 and $14.93. Reviewed by: Marilyn Courtot
On the Town: A Community Adventure
Judith Caseley
Charlie's teacher has given each of the children in class a notebook and an assignment. They are to explore and take notes about the people and the places making up their community. Mama meets Charlie after school and suggests they take a walk, but first Charlie writes the words teacher and school in his notebook and then draws pictures of his teachers. As they walk around town, they come in contact with the trash collectors, the police, the barber and the postal workers. Charlie makes notes in his book and draws more pictures. As they continue their stroll, they stop at the pharmacy, the bank, the library, Henry's Luncheonette, the fire station, the train depot, the florist and the pizza parlor. Charlie adds them all to his list. That night he remembers another part of the community. Home. While few kids may live in towns so compact and centered, they usually admire those people, such as police officers and train conductors, who form a community. Kids could be urged to make up their own community notebook and think about who might be added. Perhaps a doctor, a dentist, a nurse, a vet, a soldier, a truck driver or a farmer? 2002, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins, $15.95 and $15.89. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
Best Books:
The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2003; Bank Street College of Education; United States
Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2003; National Council for the Social Studies NCSS; United States
ISBN: 0-06-029584-8
ISBN: 0-06-029585-6
Praying to A.L.
Judith Caseley
Sierra once wished to be an orphan--all that sympathy would feel so "deliciously important." But when Papa dies, she learns otherwise. Her mother is dazed, her brother shockingly unaware, and her friends are so afraid of saying the wrong thing that they avoid her. Sierra's only comfort comes from talking to her prized picture of Abraham Lincoln, the kind-but-melancholy man who actually let his sons hitch goats to chairs and drive them through the White House. Her solo conversations yield revealing parallels between Lincoln, Papa, and the other people around her, enabling her to work through her own grief-related problems. Though a bit slow-starting, the story's colorful characters, including Sierra's culturally mixed Jewish and Cuban relatives, and especially her friend Eli (plagued by "stuff going on in the hormone department") will engage readers. Caseley is masterful at bringing scenes to life with vivid details that will have readers smelling Papa's turkey chili, hearing Mama's Spanish curses, and feeling Sierra's ache as she remembers sitting with her father at the polished lunch counter, "elbows touching," scanning menus "they knew by heart." 2000, Greenwillow, $15.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Betty Hicks (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-688-15934-6
Priscilla Twice
by Judith Caseley
Priscilla, like many children today, must deal with the divorce of her parents. They have shared custody and live close by so Priscilla will spend time with each and thus have two sets of most everything. Priscilla is angry, but her parents are patient and loving and work hard to help her adjust. While the intention is good, the situation ( alternating weeks with parents, their patience, and the final resolution seem too pat to be real. 1995, Greenwillow, Ages 4 to 8, $15.00. Reviewed by: Marilyn Courtot
Sisters
Judith Caseley
This delightful book tells the story of parents who adopt a sister for their daughter Melissa. Her name is Kika and she comes from an unnamed country. The brief one or two page chapters are told in the first person by the little girls. Their feelings and adjustments to each other are honestly portrayed. Kika is understandably at first overwhelmed with all of the dramatic changes in her life. Melissa is eager to bond with her new sister. Their first disagreement occurs when Kika is given a beautiful new doll for her birthday that is to be only for her and not shared. Melissa cries angrily when not allowed to play with the doll and even expresses dislike for Kika. Happily, Melissa resolves the issue and all is well with the sisters. The bold, brightly colored illustrations add greatly to the text. All in all this is a good portrayal of adoption. 2004, Greenwillow Books, $15.99. Ages 4 up. Sylvia Firth (Children's Literature).
In Sisters, Judith Caseley shows two girls learning about sibling bonds. Essentially they are strangers at first as Kika has just been adopted into Melissa's American family. Bouncy and self-assured, Melissa takes Kika under her wing, teaches her the English words for "friend" and "cookie" and helps her choose library books. Slowly, shy Kika acclimates to her new home but still misses her noisy friends at the orphanage overseas. Alternating points of view allow young readers to experience the perspectives and voices of each girl. And Caseley also encourages empathy through her expressive watercolors, which reveal a gamut of emotions: Kika's worry and wariness, Melissa's excitement and occasional annoyance. When Kika asserts herself during a squabble and the two reconcile, readers know these very different girls are well on their way to truly being sisters. A tender, realistic tale. 2004, Greenwillow/HarperCollins, $15.99 and $16.89. Ages 4 up. Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-06-051046-3
ISBN: 0-06-051047-1
Slumber Party!
by Judith Caseley
Zoe's birthday is coming up soon and her mom makes a number of suggestions where to have the party. Nothing seems to catch Zoe's fancy until Mom suggests a slumber party. Zoe makes four invitations and is very happy that all her friends can come. The festivities start with pizza and a big cake at a local restaurant. The first complication is that all four of the girls want to sleep next to Zoe, and she only has two sides. They come up with a very creative solution. The scary stories they read create their own drama, but Mom comes through to save the day. Everyone finally gets some sleep, and they all agree it was the best birthday party ever. 1996, Greenwillow, Ages 4 to 9, $15.00 and $14.93. Reviewed by: Kristin Harris
Updated 01/01/05
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