WOLFMAN, Judy 1933-

PERSONAL: Born July 25, 1933, in Washington, DC; married Al Wolfman (a broadcaster), June 21, 1957; children: Barry, Scott, Ellen. Education: Pennsylvania State University, B.S., 1955; certification in elementary education, 1972; certificate in early childhood education, 1972, master's equivalency, 1972.

ADDRESSES: Home—2770 Hartford Rd., York, PA 17402. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Author, professional storyteller, and creative writing teacher. York City School District, York, PA, teacher, 1968-93; Pennsylvania State University, York, adjunct professor for two years; York College of Pennsylvania, York, adjunct professor, 1993—; Western Maryland College, adjunct professor, 1999—. Back Mt. Nursery School, Dallas, PA, former owner and operator for three years; Little People Day Care School, Hanover, PA, owner and administrator for one year; former head teacher for Wellington Child Development Center for one year. Creative writing classes instructor at summer camps, 1998—. Founder and coach of York College Storytelling Troupe.

MEMBER: Society for Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, National Storytelling Network, National Education Association, Penn Writers, Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees, Pennsylvania State Education Association, Mid-Atlantic Storytellers, York Writers, York Tellers.

AWARDS, HONORS: First place in the Bartels Children's Playwriting Contest, 1988, for Red vs. the Wolf; "Book of the Year," Agricultural Education in Wisconsin, and Notable Books List, Pennsylvania Library Association, both 1999, both for Life on a Pig Farm.

WRITINGS:

Red vs. the Wolf (play), Pioneer Drama (Denver, CO), 1989.

The Real Life of Red Riding Hood (musical), Pioneer Drama (Denver, CO), 1998.

Life on a Pig Farm, photographs by David Lorenz Winston, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 1998.

The Golden Goose, Pioneer Drama (Denver, CO), 2001.

Life on a Goat Farm, photographs by David Lorenz Winston, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Life on a Cattle Farm, photographs by David Lorenz Winston, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Life on a Horse Farm, photographs by David Lorenz Winston, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Life on a Crop Farm, photographs by David Lorenz Winston, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2002.

Life on a Chicken Farm, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Life on a Sheep Farm, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Life on a Dairy Farm, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Life on an Apple Orchard, Carolrhoda Books (Minneapolis, MN), 2003.

Contributor of articles, plays, scripts, poetry, and nonfiction to various periodicals and anthologies, including Mel White's Readers Theatre Anthology, Meriwhether Publishing, 1992.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Not My Time, a holocaust survivor's story.

SIDELIGHTS: Judy Wolfman told CA: "Even thought I dabbled in writing as a kid, it wasn't until I began working that writing became a part of my life. I did freelance work for magazines and newspapers, and wrote a column as part of my job as an extension home economist that appeared in five county newspapers. My first attempt at a children's play was published, and I soon began writing short stories and articles for children's magazines. My retirement from teaching provided the time I needed to 'really' write—books, more plays, theater scripts, sketches, finger plays, poems, articles, and stories.

"In addition to writing, I enjoy working with young people, helping them to get their creative juices flowing and putting their ideas into written form. My writing classes continue to grow, as they are offered at a variety of summer camps and libraries. Showing slides as I present author talks helps more children become aware of the writing process and book development. It's rewarding to hear students express their interest in writing, and hopes of being published, after hearing what is involved.

"Discipline has become important to me in establishing a writing schedule, and I try to keep to that schedule. Usually, I'm at the computer by 9:00, and work until 1:00. My afternoons are free to run errands or perform domestic chores. Thanks to my writers' critique group, I'm able to express myself better, write tighter, and appeal to my audience. Their comments and suggestions have been invaluable. Anyone desiring to write needs to enjoy reading, and study many books and writing styles. Analyzing other people's writing helps me recognize what works and what doesn't. And, without a dictionary and Thesaurus, I'd be lost! They are truly the tools of a writer.

"My first effort at whatever I'm writing is strictly 'freeflowing,' in which words come from my head, down my arm, into my fingers and into the keyboard. I'm not concerned at that time with perfection, although I try to select the right words. Later, I read what I wrote and edit myself. I let that sit a while, then read it out aloud and do another edit. Finally, I print it out, set it aside for a final read and edit. It takes a long time to complete an article, story, or book. But, it's all worthwhile when readers say, 'Wow! That was interesting.'"

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Booklist, October 15, 1998, Lauren Peterson, review of Life on a Pig Farm, p. 420; November 15, 2001, Ellen Mandel, review of Life on a Cattle Farm, p. 569.

Horn Book Guide, spring, 1999, Jackie C. Horne, review of Life on a Pig Farm, p. 117.

School Library Journal, March, 1999, Lee Bock, review of Life on a Pig Farm, p. 202; November, 2001, Carolyn Janssen, review of Life on a Cattle Farm and Life on a Goat Farm, p. 153; January, 2002, Eldon Younce, review of Life on a Horse Farm, p. 128.