Dear Judith, Thank you so much for the three fantastic days you shared with the children of the Upper Darby School District. You certainly surpassed my high expectations and helped to bring our Title I Program to "the next level." Your creativity and passion for writing and illustrating was highly inspirational not only to your young audiences but to the teaching staff as well. I had so many teachers tell me what a great experience this was for them as well as their students. The students especially loved your honesty and the fact that you shared deep, intimate memories of your childhood. You have planted the seed of hope that each child whom experienced your talents now realizes they too have stories to tell born out of their own personal experiences. Thank you, for your gentleness and your kindness, and for loving what you do and sharing that love with us. Because, believe me, you can not possible deny the fact that you enjoy your work. It is too easy to detect! Your face lit up as soon as you started to tell "your story" as did the students who heard it. Your enthusiasm for books was contagious.! Sincerely, Donna Rosato

You renewed all of our faith in the power of talking from the heart and writing and drawing what you know. Thank you for being so candid, and helping us (teachers) to better understand our students, who like you, often have "other things" going on in their lives but we forget to ask or check, The teachers I spoke to were inspired by your story and eager to read your books. Sincerely, Jolene A. Borgese

When I got the message that you were coning to my class for Young Writers' Day, I made the mistake of announcing this fact to my students while we were walking down the fifth-grade hallway. An immediate cheer went up from my 20 second graders Luckily, it was not a testing day in fifth grade! Love, Shirley

Dear Judith, On behalf of all the students, staff, teachers, and parents of the Scenic Hills community, I want to send our warmest thanks to you for all your hard work and efforts in sharing all your wonderful stories with us over the two days. The response from everyone has been overwhelming! The sparkle in the eyes of the children clearly showed their joy and enthusiasm a they listened to all your cat adventures, your viking ship story, and viewed your interesting slide presentation. They absolutely loved your stories and they were enthralled with your illustrations. The staff lunchroom was buzzing as the adults sang your praises! Sincerely, Anita Rauch

Thank you for your wonderful presentation at Westbook Park School. My third grade students and I really enjoyed your warm, creative, and funny world of writing and illustrating. We learned so much and felt immediately inspired to write great stories about Don Juan Skippito, The Great Sword Fighter. Sincerely, Ms. Roseann Fricker

Dear Judy, It was great seeing you again yesterday. Your presentation always holds the students so tightly that your seminar is over in a blink. Your modest affirmation that "if I can do it, you can too" offers inspiration and hope to our budding artists and writers. Nor was it lost on your audience the amount of preparation, attention to detail, and love that you willingly bring to each illustration. Daring the kids to stretch their imaginations and aspirations, you offer proof that each of us has a tale to tell and a life to celebrate. Sincerely, Dr. James H. Comey

Dear Judy, What a wonderful morning you provided for my class. They didn't stop talking about your visit. At the end of the year when the children wrote about their memories of third grade, you were at the top of their lists. You made writing and illustrating so real to them. The many ideas you shared to help stimulate stories in their minds were so special. You were fantastic. Thank you so much for visiting my class Fondly, Susan Larson

Dear Judith. I am the librarian at Westbrook Park School where you visited in the Spring. Your presentation to the children was delightful. I enjoyed it immensely! Your "imagination" box with the tiny shoes captured my interest. I've enclosed a tiny pair of Indian shoes that you can add to your collection. Sincerely, Margaret L Nawn

Judy, As you'll be able to tell from the letters my class loved your visit. Your stories delighted all of us and your passion inspired us. Thank you for sharing your gifts with us. It was an enchanting afternoon, one we'll always remember. Sincerely, Kathy Daly

Dear Judy, You have been the talk of Baldwin all week! Kids are drawing in their bathrooms, writing stories about their pets, and speaking in Spanish accents about "the fire fighter!" We also sold well over 200 copies of your books and every copy that Hannah had of "Mr. Emerson's Cook"(I love it!!).Judy, thank you for inspiring so many children and for waking Baldwin up about having authors visit the girls. Far from being a "disruption", you made a "permanent mark" on the Baldwin community. Plus, I think you're terrific! Thanks again and Happy Thanksgiving. Fondly, Karen