A former Wisconsin high school and business college teacher, Judy started a new career in 1985 when she took her first writing class. In addition to the CWC, Judy is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). When she won third place in the children’s nonfiction contest at the CWC Asilomar Conference in 1987, Judy felt she was on her way to becoming a successful nonfiction writer.
Finally, Franklin Watts published her first book, Animals That Glow, in 1993. Lucent Books later published six of her manuscripts. She is especially proud of her very own fourteen-book “Animals with Jobs” series written for KidHaven Press with books such as Animal Actors, Capuchin Monkey Aides, Guide Dogs, Horse Therapists, and Navy Dolphins. Her nonfiction writing projects have led to many research adventures. She has visited prisons (Life on Alcatraz), met inventors (Artificial Organs), circus performers (Circus Animals), young cowboys (Rodeo Animals), jockeys (Race Horses), and even climbed a mountain (Mount Rushmore).
Judy’s enriched life was also honored with CWC’s Jack London Award in 1997. Visit her website at: www.judithjandapresnall.com