JU
Author Profile
Janice May Udry
17 Books
Janice May Udry is an American writer of children's picture books. She is the author of A Tree Is Nice, a Caldecott Medal-winning picture book illustrated by Marc Simont, and Let's Be Enemies, illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Her stories often focus on friendship, family, nature, and the small moments of childhood, using clear language and gentle humor.
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When Susan disappears for the afternoon, a parade of helpful animals suddenly arrives to take her place. Instead of a little girl, a tiger is ready to wash the dishes, a pig is hungry for a snack, and a sleepy bear is ready for a nap.
This charming story follows the quiet magic of a child's afternoon at home. You will love seeing how Susan's parents play along with her delightful game of pretend, treating every new animal guest as a helpful friend. It is a warm and playful look at how a simple afternoon can turn into an adventure when you let your creativity take the lead. By the time bedtime rolls around, you will be happy to see the real Susan finally return just in time to say goodnight.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Danny lives on a farm where his sisters take great pride in raising their very own pet pigs. When Danny finally gets a pet of his own, he doesn't get a piglet—instead, he is given a little lamb named Beanblossom.
But Beanblossom doesn't act much like a sheep. Because she spends all her time following the pigs around the farmyard, she becomes entirely convinced that she is a pig, too! You will laugh as this confused but lovable lamb tries her hardest to fit in with her curly-tailed friends, eating with them and joining in their messy fun. This charming and funny story explores the bonds of friendship across species and the silly side of growing up on a farm where everyone belongs, no matter what they think they are.
6-8 Years
Have you ever thought about how wonderful a tree is? This lovely book invites you to look up and see the beauty of trees all around us. Imagine climbing high into its branches, feeling the breeze, and watching the world from above. You can roll in piles of colorful leaves in the fall or enjoy the cool shade on a warm summer day, just like napping cows and sleepy babies! Birds build their cozy nests there, and you can even hang a swing from a strong limb for hours of fun. From the strong trunk to the rustling leaves, trees give us so much. They truly make our world a nicer place to be.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Growing up with four older brothers, Pipsa often feels like her own accomplishments go unnoticed in her Algonquian village. While the boys are praised for their hunting and fishing skills, she decides to create something beautiful of her own by planting a patch of sunflower seeds.
As she carefully tends to her growing garden, Pipsa proves that quiet dedication brings its own kind of reward. But when a dangerous rattlesnake suddenly threatens her hard work and her family, she must find the bravery to protect what she has nurtured. This thoughtful story beautifully highlights a young girl's journey to earn the respect of her brothers and her entire village. You will be inspired by Pipsa's resourcefulness, her connection to nature, and her hidden courage.
6-8 Years
52 Pages
Glenda is a very powerful witch who can turn herself into absolutely anything she wants. Bored with her usual routine, she decides it might be incredibly fun to transform herself into a regular human schoolgirl and attend the local classroom.
But fitting in with human children turns out to be much harder than brewing potions. Glenda expects to be the best at everything, but she quickly discovers that spelling bees, recess games, and making friends require skills that her magic cannot easily fix. Even though things go disastrously wrong, she is completely unaware of how poorly she is actually doing. You will laugh out loud as this arrogant but clueless witch bumbles her way through a normal school day, proving that sometimes being a regular kid is the hardest magic trick of all.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
Mary Jo loves spending her Christmas vacation visiting her grandmother's quiet country farm. But the peaceful holiday takes a sudden turn when her grandmother takes a bad fall and injures her leg, leaving her unable to move or call for help since the farmhouse has no telephone.
Suddenly, Mary Jo is the only one who can save the day. Bundling up against the bitter cold, she must face her fears and walk two miles alone through the deep, drifting snow to reach the nearest neighbor. This gentle but gripping story perfectly captures a child's quiet bravery in the face of a real emergency. You will cheer for Mary Jo's determination as she pushes through the winter weather, proving just how responsible and courageous a young girl can be when someone she loves needs her.
6-8 Years
24 Pages
Every day in Mary Jo's classroom, the other children bring in wonderful things for Show and Tell. Someone brings a pet mouse, another brings a turtle, and someone even brings a letter from far away. Mary Jo is so shy that she has never shared anything before, but she finally wants to join in the fun.
She thinks and thinks about what she could possibly bring that would be unique and special. After ruling out several ideas, she finally comes up with the most surprising and wonderful thing of all. This classic, heartwarming story captures the nervous excitement of standing up in front of the class. You will love discovering her brilliant surprise and watching her find her voice in a supportive classroom.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
As the leaves begin to change color, Emily sits down with her little cornhusk doll to look back on a wonderful season. She softly shares all of her favorite memories from the bright, sunny days she just spent visiting her grandmother's farm in the country.
Through her gentle storytelling, you get to experience the simple joys of exploring wide open spaces, smelling the fresh country air, and enjoying the quiet rhythms of rural life. This tender story perfectly captures the slightly bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to the summer season while looking forward to the crisp days of fall. It is a warm, peaceful reflection on family visits, the beauty of nature, and the special comfort of sharing your happiest secrets with a favorite toy.
6-8 Years
38 Pages
Angie is not your typical girl, and her daily life is certainly never boring. While other children might play regular games, Angie prefers to greet imaginary creatures from outer space at her front door or claim she is eating a stuffed boa constrictor for breakfast.
Blessed with a wildly overactive imagination and a very clever mind, Angie navigates her world in her own unique way. She does not always do exactly what the adults expect, but she always means well and approaches life with a wonderful sense of humor. Whether she is walking her pet goose or turning an ordinary afternoon into an adventure, you will be charmed by her independent spirit. This funny and engaging book is a wonderful celebration of quirky kids who proudly march to the beat of their own drum.
6-8 Years
9-12 Years
64 Pages
Theodore is a fiercely independent young boy living all alone, and he usually handles things just fine. But eventually, he realizes that a house could really use a grown-up or two, so he decides it is finally time to find himself a nice set of parents.
Taking matters into his own hands, Theodore puts an advertisement in the newspaper and begins formally interviewing adult applicants for the job. You will chuckle at how he carefully screens the prospective mothers and fathers to make sure they meet his exact standards for parenting. This wonderfully quirky and humorous story turns the traditional family dynamic completely upside down. It is a playful and highly imaginative tale about finding the perfect family on your own terms.
6-8 Years
When a tiny stray kitten suddenly appears on the family's doorstep, almost everyone falls in love instantly. The mother and children are eager to bring the fluffy little visitor inside, but the father firmly puts his foot down, insisting that they absolutely cannot keep him.
Despite the father's strict rules, the mischievous little cat has a mind of his own and quickly begins causing funny, chaotic trouble all around the house. From sneaking into off-limits spots to causing playful messes, the kitten's antics make it very hard to say goodbye. You will enjoy this sweet and funny story as you watch the tiny cat slowly work his undeniable charm on the one person who swore they did not want a pet. It is a classic tale of how a little furry friend can melt even the most stubborn heart.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
When the sun goes down on a hot summer evening, the magic in the backyard is just beginning. Four children slip outside into the cool grass, joined by a quiet black cat, to play in the brilliant, glowing light of the night sky.
They dance through the long shadows, chase each other in games of tag, and leap as high as they can, trying to catch the bright moon itself. This lyrical, beautifully illustrated story captures the enchanting, almost dreamlike quality of staying up late and exploring the world when it is bathed in silver light. You will feel the gentle breeze and the universal joy of childhood imagination in this timeless classic, perfectly ending as the children finally head inside to safely drift off to sleep.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
James and John have always been the best of friends, happily sharing everything from their umbrellas to their chicken pox. But today, John has decided he has finally had enough. James is being entirely too bossy, and John makes up his mind that they are going to be enemies instead.
Marching over to James's house to deliver the bad news in person, John is ready for a big confrontation. However, when you are used to having so much fun with someone, staying angry turns out to be surprisingly difficult. You will smile as you watch these two stubborn boys try their hardest to stay mad at each other, only to realize that playing together is a lot more fun than arguing. It is a brilliant and funny look at the quick, passing storms of childhood friendships.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Mary Jo has wanted a puppy of her very own for as long as she can remember. When her parents finally agree, she is thrilled and proudly promises that she will take complete responsibility for feeding, training, and caring for her adorable new friend.
She quickly learns that having a new pet is a lot harder than simply playing fetch. When nighttime rolls around, the little puppy feels lonely and refuses to go to sleep, crying out in the dark. No matter what she tries, she cannot seem to get him to settle down. You will relate to Mary Jo's sleepy struggle as she figures out a clever, comforting solution to help her new puppy feel safe. It is a sweet, honest look at the real work—and the wonderful rewards—of bringing a pet into your family.
6-8 Years
36 Pages
Get ready to meet some of the most delightfully naughty characters around in this collection of very short, very funny tales. The star of the show is a grumpy, mean little mouse who goes out of his way to cause trouble for everyone he meets.
But bad behavior rarely pays off! Whether it is the cranky mouse or the other misbehaving creatures in these stories, every single troublemaker quickly learns that their selfish tricks usually backfire in the most embarrassing and hilarious ways. You will enjoy watching these grumpy animals get their perfect, gentle comeuppance in these quick, punchy fables. It is a smart and highly entertaining look at why it is always better to treat others nicely, wrapping a subtle lesson in plenty of giggles.
6-8 Years
Mary Ann has found the perfect spot for a whole day of messy fun. With a little bit of water and a lot of dirt, she sets to work creating her very own miniature world made entirely out of mud.
She carefully shapes mud mountains, builds a little mud town, and even sculpts her own mud people to live inside of it. This simple, joyful story captures the universal childhood thrill of getting your hands dirty and letting your imagination run wild outside. You will love watching Mary Ann spend hours perfecting her slippery, gloppy creations in the warm sun. It is a wonderful celebration of outdoor play and the quiet satisfaction of a long, messy afternoon before it is finally time to wash up and head inside.
6-8 Years
Thump and Plunk are two spirited young ducks who cannot seem to keep their hands off each other's toys. The trouble all begins when Thump decides to thump his sibling's beloved doll. In response, Plunk immediately plunks Thump's doll right back!
Before long, the thumping and plunking escalate into a silly, tumbling disagreement that will feel very familiar to anyone who has ever shared a playroom. The rhythmic, tongue-twisting language makes this story an absolute joy for new readers to sound out loud. You will laugh as the playful rivalry bounces back and forth until their mother finally steps in to bring the peace. This is a wonderfully relatable and humorous early reading adventure about the funny squabbles that happen between brothers and sisters.
6-8 Years
36 Pages