Don’t Worry, Wuddles

Don't Worry, Wuddles by Lita Judge

September 26, 2023

In this snowy day picture book, a kindhearted but overeager duckling tries to be helpful by sharing Wuddles the sheep’s wool to make sure all their animal friends stay warm—but will there be enough for Wuddles?

Snow is coming, and the barnyard animals are preparing for the cold. Duckling has an excellent idea! Fleecy Wuddles the sheep has plenty of wool to keep everyone nice and toasty. Surely Wuddles doesn’t mind sharing? Soon there’s a goat in legwarmers, piglets in onesies, and more! But will this outpouring of generosity leave Wuddles himself out in the cold? Not to worry—Duckling has one final, absolutely heartwarming idea!

Don't Worry, Wuddles by Lita Judge

Dogs: A History of Our Best Friends

Something Beautiful by Lita Judge

Just Released!

This illustrated history of dogs explores how humans’ partnership with dogs changed our lives and theirs

Of all the animals on the planet, dogs have the widest range of roles in our daily lives. They’re protectors, helpers, lifesavers—but most of all, they’re family.

And they’ve taken a fascinating journey to get to this point. Long ago, early wolves evolved from fierce predators into trusted partners. They became dogs! While we know dogs to be lovable and full of personality, they have also historically improved our lives in many practical ways, like guarding livestock to help humans form the first settlements, cleaning out infectious wounds, and finding food. Covering over 50,000 years of history, from cave-dwelling to the present day, Dogs chronicles fascinating scientific details and the history of how dogs learned to live cooperatively alongside humans.

Creative Process Videos

The Wisdom of Trees

In recent years, forest ecologists have learned that trees have a secret language all their own, one we can’t see or hear, which allows them to work together in communities.
The Wisdom of Trees by Lita Judge
The poems in this book reveal what trees might say if they did use words. Trees live longer when they help and defend one another. They can do this only if they communicate. Find out more about how this works in THE WISDOM OF TREES!

Mary’s Monster

My debut young adult novel, Mary’s Monster: Love, Madness and How Mary Shelley Created Frankenstein was longlisted for the 2019 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal (the UK’s oldest and most prestigious children’s book award), selected as a book of Outstanding Merit on the Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year list, added to the Amelia Bloomer List, and was shortlisted for the 2019 UKLA Book Award by the UK Literacy Association. Pairing free verse with over three hundred pages of black-and-white illustrations, Mary’s Monster is a unique biography of Mary Shelley, the pregnant teenage runaway who became one of the greatest authors of all time.

When You Need Wings

When You Need Wings takes readers on a wonder-filled exploration of a child’s imagination, thoughtfully weaving in a gentle suggestion of how to explore that bountiful inner world and let it help them shine with courage in the real one.

When You Need Wings
is now available!

The Making of When You Need Wings

Getting ready for Monadnock Studio Art Tour next weekend! October 7-8, 10 AM - 5PM. I'm # 44 on the map (monadnockart.org/open-studio-tour)⁠ And if you can't come in person, I just loaded several new paintings onto my Etsy shop. A link in my bio. ⁠
I'm falling deeper in love with clay with every vessel I make. I just tried a new brown stoneware for this vessel. If the build goes well, it feels like the vessel holds a personality. This one, inspired by a seedpod I drew, feels very feminine and whimsical. Can't wait to fire and place her my garden. Come visit her and me on the Monadnock Art Tour, October 7-8. I'm # 44 on the map. (monadnockart.org/open-studio-tour)
I'm opening my Etsy shop for the next 3 week weeks. As I gear up for new book release and studio tour, I'll have books, prints, cards, and art available. I know not everyone can make it to our open studio on Oct 7-8, so I want to make art and books available on my site. A link is in my bio!⁠
Sharing a wee sculpture I made of my little Pan.
Hooray, author copies have arrived for DON'T WORRY, WUDDLES. And Pulina already loves ducky:) Can't wait to share this book with young readers, releasing 9/26. And B&N is offering members a 25% discount for online preorders using the code PREORDER25 (see barnesandnoble.com for more info, runs until Friday 9/8). @barnesandnoble #BNPreorder
Sharing a little peek at one of my summer sketchbooks. I've been deep in painting for a deadline the last couple of months, but I'm learning that taking time to sketch something I love daily, even when pushing to finish a book, recharges me. So often we share only the end results of our labor, but sometimes the reality is that we are fighting against burn out and feeling overwhelmed by deadlines or just the craziness that life brings. It's taken me years to learn that slowing down can actually help you work better and stay in touch with what I love about making a life from art. It's not all sweeping inspiration, sometimes, it's a quiet moment spent with a sketchbook that stokes my creative fire again.
I was sketching in Cotswolds recently and a little English Robin flitted down to where I sitting. Then we both sat quietly for awhile, soaking in the sun after a spring drenching, so I was able to get a couple of quick sketches done. I knew I wanted to sculpt him as soon as I got home.
Sharing an older sketch of a wee fellow I I got to hold earlier this year . I'm deep in projects right now, but will share some new stuff soon!
Willow posed last night for a daily sketch so I could post Maine Coon Monday. I had help from a bug that was on the window, keeping her attention fixed.