| Biography |
Judith has also volunteered hundreds of hours at The Pennsauken Library where she still gives weekly creative writing workshops.
In 2009 she has expanded her Writers Guild Group to members of the Pennsauken, New Jersey Community of all ages. This group is set to publish its own book in time for the holiday season of 2010.
Ms. Kristen also donated copies of her books to the Pennsauken Library as well as donating 540 copies of her book “The Light and Dark Side of Seventeen” to Woodrow Wilson High School, in Camden, New Jersey, to help their 9th grade academy off to great start with a Teen book whose engaging and poignant message is based right in their home state.
Recently Judith gifted copies of “My Name is Henley” to “Project Night Night” a wonderful organization that provides the means, the opportunity, and the structure for community-minded individuals and corporations to make an ongoing and lasting impact on their communities Through direct partnership with hundreds of shelters, they place their Night Night Packages in the hands of over 20,000 homeless children each year. These Night Night Packages contains a new security blanket, an age-appropriate children's book, and a stuffed animal -- all nestled inside a canvas tote bag.
Ms. Kristen also delivered “Henley” copies to “Project PJ Pile-up” for young children at the Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey for Christmas of 2008, helping to make winter a little warmer for a child in need.
Judith has donated over 3,000 copies of Henley's book as well as Mookie's new series of books to: animal rescue, adoption centers, school libraries, public libraries, civic organizations, and school children.
In July of 2009, Ms. Kristen donated 100 copies of Henley's book to the “Teach and Beach” children of Jamaica - part of the program of The Source Farm and EcoVillage. --- www.thesourcefarm.com (St. Thomas, Jamaica)
These children are not only learning how to read or to improve their present reading levels, Henley's book added a new level by bringing them Humane Education as well. These children are understanding our four-legged friends needs and what it takes to assure them long, full, and happy lives!
THANKS, HENLEY!!!!
AND...Henley's wonderful book is used by Best Friends Animal Society (BestFriends.org) to teach humane education to children.
In 2010, Judith became part of Carson School's Distance Learning Project that connects children in Pennsauken, New Jersey to their "learning partners" at Hindsford School in Manchester, England! Miss Kristen and teachers from Carson School have been invited to visit Hindsford School in 2010.
Students from Hindsford visited Carson in May of 2010.
Judith was given the honor of being The Philadelphia School Librarians ‘Honoree of the Year’ for her dedication to children's literacy. And she was voted as a “Huggins Hero” by Philadelphia journalist, the late Edie Huggins, and was filmed for NBC to show her work and dedication to these Philadelphia area kids.
The National Geographic Channel also called Ms. Kristen requesting to film and record the work she has and is still accomplishing at Frankford High School in Philadelphia. Judith was also honored by The Pennsylvania State Senate for her volunteer work (currently over 2000 hours) with Philadelphia school children in the roughest of neighborhoods, that was against all odds, and yet, was still so tremendously successful and rewarding for all.
All of her books give part of her royalty to charitable causes and continuing her charitable work, she is a regular volunteer in the “Read Across America” program.
Ms. Kristen is touring local schools with Henley's entertaining and educational program, “An Old Dog Teaches Kids New Tricks.”
This program not only educates children about puppy mills, but about those who work so hard to save these animals and the gift it is to give our four-legged friends a second chance at life.
Sadly, Henley passed away on March 13th, 2010, but his story and mission go on. His shaggy presence and loving ways are still felt thanks to a beautiful video created for school children and libraries, etc...by Henley's friend, Dr. Louis Castelli of ArkMedia in Philadelphia.
“My name is Henley: my life and times as a rescued dog” is told in Henley’s own voice and so engaging a tale it is that twice The Courier Post has featured Henley and his story and tour in their popular South Jersey newspaper. And, so loved was his story that Henley was recently honored by Good Intent School in Deptford, New Jersey, by becoming their official school mascot. Henley's book and mission have made such a difference in children's lives that he was nominated for Philadelphia's 2009 - Please Touch Museum's - “Great Friend to Kids Award” !!! And he was indeed a great friend to kids!
With large paws to fill, Henley's friend and household companion, Mookie, now tours schools as well with his own popular tour - “Everybody Loves Mookie!” Mookie's current titles are: Everybody Loves Mookie, Mookie and the Rescued Cat, Mookie Goes Down the Shore, Mookie and the Christmas Tree, and Mookie and the Candy Store. These books are all sweet and charming lessons of love and friendship, patience, tolerance, and grace, and a genuine delight for classrooms and book clubs for children ages three to eight!
In keeping with true “Henley” tradition, Mookie's tour revolves around his book, “Mookie and The Rescued Cat” teaching children to understand that EVERY week is Be Kind to Animals Week, and that kindness and compassion can turn anyone's life around - two legged or four-legged.
Judith's most recent book project is one she waited forty-six years to write ... “A Date with a Beatle” ... a totally charming, engaging story about her love for the Fab Four and her tenacious quest to meet her idol, George Harrison. If you weren't around during that time in music history, this will take you there! If you were, you will be happy to revisit that most glorious fun-filled time of your life. It is sure to become a classic among Beatles fans.
And, part of the proceeds from “A Date with a Beatle” will benefit George Harrison's Material World Charitable Foundation - an organization as wonderful and giving as the man himself.
Mookie and Henley's books benefit Animal Rescue.
Ms. Kristen lives happily ever after in Pennsauken, New Jersey with her husband, Andrew, and their much-loved “companimals.”
