I am a naturalist and photographer who has climbed through caves, trekked across glaciers, hiked into canyons and craters, and explored deserts and rain forests. All these adventures observing different habitats and creatures have inspired and enriched my writing. Before I became an author, I was a classroom teacher for nine years. So I enjoy using my love of nature to excite children to express themselves through poetry, stories, and projects. I've also worked with adults, giving writing workshops in my home and teaching at conferences for teachers and librarians.
Selected Works:
*REAL-LIFE SEA MONSTERS (Lerner 2008)
Named to the IRA/CBC Children's Choices Reading List
" . . . makes science feel as mysterious and exciting as science fiction. Jango-Cohen stirs the imagination by sharing spooky sea lore and then moves to scientific research to examine the reality within the myth. The gigantic Kraken rises from the depths and pulls ships under the sea; the real monster, the giant squid that can be up to 57 feet long, is just as fascinating. Tales of yore also spoke of wicked mermaids who drowned children; scientists posit that these were actually manatees, themselves endangered by humans, and so on. Durney's pearlescent, flowing illustrations make for an eerie and alluring underwater effect. "Every year, scientists find more than 100 new species of ocean life," and this is a marvelous way for transitional readers to plumb the depths." Kirkus
*WHY DOES IT RAIN? (Millbrook Press 2006) Named a Children's Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year. “Beautiful child-friendly illustrations support the expanding text that explains the water cycle from raindrops to conservation concerns. Expressive language gives the scientific theories a story-like feel.” Marcia Kolmann
*CHINESE NEW YEAR (Carolrhoda 2005) Named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council
“Clearly written, informative, and child-centered without talking down to children.” Booklist
“The perfect introduction to the sights, sounds, foods, and festivities of the Chinese New Year, this book describes Chinese New Year in detail. With colorful illustrations, this addition to the On My Own Holidays series also includes the origin and symbolism of each custom.”
As reviewed on KidStuff, Martha Stewart Radio, February 13, 2007
Other works include:
*BEES (Benchmark 2007)
*HIPPOPOTAMUSES (Benchmark 2007)
*BIONICS (Lerner 2007)
*THE HISTORY OF FOOD (Twenty-first Century Books 2006)
*BEN FRANKLIN'S BIG SHOCK (Millbrook Press 2006)
*PORCUPINES (Benchmark 2006)
*KANGAROOS (Benchmark 2006)
* ELLIS ISLAND (Children's Press 2005)
*THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM (Lerner 2005)
* LIBRARIANS (Lerner 2005)
* RHINOCEROSES (Benchmark 2005)
* CAMELS (Benchmark 2005)
* FLYING SQUIRRELS (Lerner 2004)
* ARMADILLOS (Benchmark 2004)
* OCTOPUSES (Benchmark 2004)
* THE BALD EAGLE (Lerner 2003)
* THE AMERICAN FLAG (Lerner 2003)
* THE LIBERTY BELL (Lerner 2003)
* MOUNT RUSHMORE (Lerner 2003)
* HOVERING HUMMINGBIRDS (Lerner 2003)
* HUNGRY LADYBUGS (Lerner 2003)
* FIRE TRUCKS (Lerner 2003)
* DUMP TRUCKS (Lerner 2003)
* FRESHWATER FISHES (Benchmark 2003)
* CROCODILES (Benchmark 2003)
* GORILLAS (Benchmark 2003)
* PENGUINS (Benchmark 2002)
* GIRAFFES (Benchmark 2002)
* CLINGING SEA HORSES (Lerner, 2001)
* CROCODILES (Benchmark 2001)
* DESERT IGUANAS (Lerner, 2001)
* DIGGING ARMADILLOS (Lerner 2001)
I travel throughout New England and to other parts of the country.
Blurbs:
“GATORS, OCTOPI, AND GRIZZLIES, OH MY!”
Teachers and Librarians:
“I love the way you relate to the children. I think you got everyone very excited to be writers. You are such a fantastic presenter! I can’t wait to invite you back sometime soon.”
Liza Halley, Librarian
Robbins Library and Fox Branch Library
Arlington, MA
“[Judith ] captivated an audience that included a one-year-old and a sixty-one-year-old, and many in between… She is one of those rare performers who entertains while teaching.”
Marina Salenikas
Head of Youth Services
Stevens Memorial Library
North Andover, MA
“Thank you for the fabulous show… The audience was entranced... Using puppets, props, and members of your audience, you were able to keep the presentation alive and engaging for even the youngest of children. I could see the adults were enjoying the program too… Thank you so much for sharing your life as a wildlife photographer/writer.”
Jackie Dibble, Youth Services
J.V. Fletcher Library
Westford, MA
“I absolutely loved your show. You were a fabulous storyteller and you kept your audience entranced. I love how you hooked us from the beginning with your story of an animal saving your life. Awesome!!!”
Teacher, Woodville Elementary School, Wakefield, MA
“Judith had a wonderful rapport with the children. Her stories were told in an engaging manner and the children enjoyed being introduced to creatures and situations that they had never personally encountered before. This fascinating presentation helped make our event a success.”
Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen,
Children’s Programming Specialist
Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore Maryland
“You were very informative. Great energy. You had the teacher’s touch—very controlled.”
Teacher, Bernazzani School, Quincy, MA
"I have to tell you, the kids just loved meeting you. They learned so much and were so anxious to read your books. Thanks for the inspiration."
Teacher, Fox Hill School, Burlington, MA
“I really enjoyed how you had students role play as part of your presentation.”
Teacher, Bates Elementary School, Wellesley, MA
I thought the presentation was fabulous and I'd highly recommend you again. The kids loved you!
Teacher, Bates Elementary School, Wellesley, MA
Children:
“I liked Miss Jango-Cohen’s program because her slide show was awesome. She showed us octopus pictures, what they play with, and how they trained them to get food.”
Judith Jango-Cohen’s program was funny, cool and exciting.”
“She didn’t just tell us, she showed us.”
“I liked when you pretended to be an alligator and carried Jay (the antelope) away.”
“The sound effects were awesome.”
“You are amazing to do all those things!”
“I’d like to be a photographer and write about my adventures for children!”
“EXCITING WRITING”
"Please accept my heartfelt thanks for coming to our school and weaving your magic for the fourth graders. I especially enjoyed your teaching techniques concerning alliteration and rhyming as literary devices. After your visit, students made reference to what they learned quite often.”
Fourth grade teacher
Ambrose Elementary School, Winchester MA
“The kids and I loved meeting you. Your presentation was informative and matched what we are teaching in writing. It helps the kids to know what we are teaching them is ‘real’ writing. Come back anytime!”
Fourth grade teacher
Muraco Elementary School, Winchester MA
I especially loved your description of the editing process. It’s always good for kids to hear that it’s okay to make mistakes and that there are others out there who can help them create something amazing.”
Jackie Dibble, Youth Services
J.V. Fletcher Library
Westford, MA
“The kids loved the puppets! They said it got everyone excited and involved. They also loved the suspenseful stories!
Ambrose Elementary School, Winchester MA
“We had so much fun we wished you stayed longer.”
Fourth grade student
Muraco Elementary School, Winchester MA
“Thank you for the best Authorfest ever! I love your books and stories.”
Fourth grade student
Muraco Elementary School, Winchester MA
“I could tell you were a teacher because you helped us become better writers.”
Fourth grade student
Muraco Elementary School, Winchester MA
“I’ll be looking forward to using assonance in one of my stories.”
Fourth grade student
Muraco Elementary School, Winchester MA
"Judith Jango-Cohen was a breath of fresh air in my language arts classroom. She engaged the children with storytelling experiences and charm. Using techniques from her books to connect to student writing, Judith was clear, informative and wonderfully worthwhile. My sixth grade students and I truly appreciated and enjoyed our author workshop.”
Teacher, Marshall Simonds Middle School
“CHINESE NEW YEAR”
"We really enjoyed your presentation on the Chinese New Year! It was packed full of great information. We liked the way you involved your students in all of the exciting activities. They loved learning about the Chinese celebration. When asked their favorite part of the program, many students enjoyed the song they learned, the Chinese writing, the cool puppets collecting money, and the “mean guy” on the door. Thank you for bringing your talent and creativity to our school ."
Heidi Sidwell, kindergarten teacher
New Hampton Community School, NH
"Great presentation—you related very well to young children. I asked the children for their comments. Many mentioned the music. The parade and collecting money was a big hit! They liked the animals and some mentioned the bright red ‘windows.’"
Cheryl Wilson, first grade teacher
New Hampton Community School, NH
"The program about Chinese New Year was great! Lots of hands-on participation and information. Students were focused and enthusiastic. "
Judi Gagnon, third grade teacher
New Hampton Community School, NH
Program Info
Program Descriptions:
As a former science teacher, I have developed interactive and multi-sensory programs that incorporate music, movement, role-play, and quick games.
Below are some brief descriptions of the four programs:
Gators, Octopi, and Grizzlies, Oh My!
Researching and taking photographs for my 41 nonfiction books has been an adventure. Through stories, games, music, and photos, participants will relive my humorous and harrowing experiences—all the while learning about animal behavior and biology. They will even learn how a “mystery animal” saved my life. For students in grade 2 and up, the program also delves into the writing process and revision from both a writer’s and an illustrator’s perspective. (Grades K-Adult) Any size group
Chinese New Year!
Happy (Chinese) New Year! This program will introduce children to the Chinese festival celebrated with family, food, flowers, and fireworks. With colorful props, puppets, a dragon parade, and the singing of a New Year song in Chinese, students will learn about lucky money, the Chinese Zodiac, the Door Gods, and special poems called spring couplets. The program is an accompaniment to my book, Chinese New Year (Carolrhoda, 2005), which was named a Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People.
(Grades K-5) Groups of up to 60
Exciting Writing
Through games, stories, puppets, and hands-on activities, children will analyze the writing process from research to rough draft to revision. They will come along on my adventures to learn about first-hand sources, and will inspect edited and revised manuscripts and illustrations. The “Revision Decision”TM game will help them replace “wishy-washy words” with those that paint pictures. Students will also discover how alliteration and assonance add lyricism to prose and poetry.
(Grades 2-6) Groups of up to 60
Also available as a multi-day residency.
Images of Immigrants
Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, millions of immigrants journeyed to America. Why did they come? What was their journey like? What did they experience at Ellis Island—the Isle of Hope and Isle of Tears? Through costumes, role-play, games, music, and photos, children will experience the heartrending and heartwarming stories of these brave and determined people— some of whom came to America with only faith, hope, and a story. The program accompanies my book, Ellis Island (Scholastic, 2005).
(Grades 2-6) Groups of up to 60
Program Pricing:
$900 for a one day program of three one-hour sessions, $625 for two one-hour programs, $325 for a classroom workshop or public library program. Additional fees for locations farther than 50 miles from Burlington, MA. I am also available for writing residencies. Please feel welcome to contact with questions about programs or pricing.
Special Features:
Because of my many years as a teacher I am skilled at engaging participants with an interactive and multi-sensory. I enhance my presentations with sound effects, music, puppets, props, role-play, games, and stunning visual images. My experiences in the wild provide numerous suspenseful and humorous stories and as the author of forty-one books, I have many fascinating facts to share.
Audience Levels:
Lower Elementary; Upper Elementary; Middle School; High School; Adult
Contact Info
Contact Email:
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Contact Address:
23 Sarah Street
Home City:
Burlington
Home State:
Massachusetts
Contact Phone:
781-229-6317
Articles
Speakers may post articles related to their speaker programs and general tips for educators and librarians looking to hold successful author or illustrator programs.
Judith Ann Jango-Cohen