Children's Author Literacy Specialist Writing Teacher
Judy Bradbury writes books that open minds and hearts, initiate conversations, and expand possibilities.
Judy’s Children’s Books
The Cayuga Island Kids
chapter book series
The Cayuga Island Kids chapter books engage 1st-to-4th graders with exciting backyard adventures that demonstrate leadership skills and the power of information literacy. Five big-hearted friends follow clues, find answers, and puzzle out solutions. Above all, they are kind, helpful, smart, and resourceful kids who have tons of fun together.
Book 1, The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship, takes place during summer vacation. As the Kids hunt for a certain kind of tree, they unearth a cannonball. Thus begins the adventure for these inquisitive fact detectives who discover that the island they live on is home to both history and mystery.
Award-winning Book 2, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek, begins with the Kids rescuing a mallard caught in plastic. How they bring the community together to build a recycling bin big enough to hold plenty of plastic makes for a lively adventure and the realization that although we are each just one person, together we can make a BIG difference! Brainstorming, teamwork, community involvement, and recycling themes.
In Book 3, The Case of the Messy Message and the Missing Facts, Julian experiments with recipes for the perfect chocolate chip cookie. Then glitter pens go missing at school. Clues point to a suspect, but when the Kids encounter misinformation and disinformation, the consequences of jumping to conclusions becomes crystal clear.
Join the Cayuga Island Kids in their backyard adventures in this trio of engaging chapter books that encourage growing readers.
Click below to learn more and to access Educator Guides and activities.
Award News
Book 2 in the Cayuga Island Kids series, The Adventure of the Big Fish by the Small Creek, was awarded the Ben Franklin Silver Award for Young Reader Fiction, 8-12 years!
Judy’s Professional Services
School Visits/ Writing Workshops
With over twenty years of experience teaching from preschool through graduate level, Judy is comfortable working with students of all ages.
Professional Development and Parent Programs
As a literacy specialist, Judy enjoys interacting with educators on a variety of topics related to literacy and children’s literature.
Educators' Guides for Children's Books
Judy enjoys developing Educators’ Guides for children’s books created by other authors and illustrators.
Editorial Services
Judy has years of experience working with aspiring writers and enjoys guiding them as they hone their skills, from identifying genre and age range to crafting and revising text.
Visit Judy’s Blog
Visit my Children’s Book Corner blog where I interview authors and illustrators and offer suggestions for using their books to connect social-emotional learning to curriculum in Grades Pre-K—8.
The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship
by Judy Bradbury, illustrated by Gabriella Vagnoli; City of Light Publishing, 2021.
In the first book in the Cayuga Island Kids chapter book series, readers meet five resourceful friends who live on a residential island. Though the story is fictional, The Mystery of the Barking Branches and the Sunken Ship is loosely based on one of the most intriguing unsolved mysteries of the Great Lakes: the sinking of the never-recovered sailing vessel, the Griffon, in the 1600s. Readers encounter history, science, mystery, research skills, social-emotional themes, humor, friendship, and a really cute dog.
Red, White, and Whole
by Rajani LaRocca; Quill Tree, 2021.
Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca, a novel-in-verse the author calls “the novel of my heart,” is a story sure to touch the hearts of readers. Set in the 1980s, it centers on thirteen year-old Reha, who is endeavoring to manage her two worlds: a warm and loving home, but one that is not fully assimilated to life in America; and school, where possibilities—exciting, inviting, and perplexing—beckon. The story of how Reha comes to realize, cope, and ultimately grow from a devastating personal loss is at once heart wrenching and hopeful.
I Will Dance
by Nancy Bo Flood, illustrated by Julianna Swaney; Atheneum, 2020.
In the uplifting I Will Dance, readers meet ten year-old Eva who hasn’t the strength to move, but holds fast to a wish and a will to dance. How that dream becomes reality through her determination supported by the caring actions of others, makes for a truly inspirational “teachable moment.”
The Christopher Counts Series
(McGraw-Hill)
This four-book series includes the titles:
- One Carton of Oops!
- Double Bubble Trouble!
- A High-Fiving Gift for Mom!
- Doggone Lemonade Stand!
What Reviewers are Saying
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