"In 21 poems, Alko celebrates the boundary-breaking writer. These beautifully crafted, deeply intimate entries brim with delighted reverence"
-- KIRKUS (starred review)
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS JUDY THE GREAT
Beloved and trailblazing author Judy Blume comes to life in this poetic picture book about her childhood.
February 2026 • Ages 6-10
ISBN: 9780316570633
Judy Blume is known for fearlessly discussing topics that were once considered taboo. As a young girl, Judy was not encouraged to share her feelings, so instead she invented stories as a way to understand the world around her. Growing up Jewish, during and in the aftermath of WWII, dramatically shaped Judy’s childhood. Her younger years were full of fear. Judy processed her conflicted emotions by making up stories where she could control the conflict as she worked through challenging life scenarios. These stories became the subjects of the books she later published for children, tweens, teens, and adults including Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, Freckle Juice, and the Fudge series.
This inspiring collection of poems celebrates the childhood years of Judy Blume, one of the most beloved American writers of all time.
Awards
2026
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
Reviews
"In 21 poems, Alko celebrates the boundary-breaking writer. These beautifully crafted, deeply intimate entries brim with delighted reverence, reflecting Alko’s own coming-of-age reading Judy Blume’s novels. In Alko’s charming illustrations, collaged text from newspapers and Blume’s own novels underpin bright, richly detailed acrylics... A sparkling introduction to a literary powerhouse’s oeuvre."
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-- KIRKUS starred review
"Alko’s colorful collages ... bring text and image together in layers that read as tactile; they are carefully crafted and engage with each line of text, making for a sensory experience. Every time readers return to Alko’s book, they will notice something new in the interplay between the art and the narrative... VERDICT: Purchase this artful, colorful book for budding authors, for classes on writing, and to expand on Blume’s works in young-reader collections."
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-- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL
"Alko celebrates small, relatable experiences... while also acknowledging and exploring more poignant pains... The acrylic and collage illustrations are the real star here, and the precisely layered full-page spreads in vibrant pastel colors and textures defy two-dimensionality. The scrapbook-like quality of the layout gracefully mirrors the poems themselves, marrying moments of Blume’s youth with Alko’s own love of the author in a work of art that will enchant Blume fans young and old."
-- BCCB
"Peppered with references to titles that ought to be familiar to American readers of any age, this set of short free-verse poems takes a biographical slant to celebrate a truly iconic writer... “In a way, Judy Blume helped raise me,” Alko writes in her personal afterword. There are millions who would relate."
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-- BOOKLIST
"Alko’s detail-rich biographical poems and charismatic acrylic and collage illustrations result in an exuberant homage to Judy Blume. ... Text and art alike create a smart portrait of a literary star."
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-- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY