Meet Judy Slack

Author and Illustrator

Judy Slack is a native of Northern California who has also resided in Alaska.  She graduated with an A.A. in Interior Design from Modesto Junior College and B.A. in Fine Art from California State University, Stanislaus, thereafter-earning certification in Graphic Design thru an awarded University of California, Davis Scholarship.  She possesses two California Teaching Credentials (Multiple and Single Subject) and has been employed in many fields of retail, and public and private education, teaching both children and adults.

With a passion of freelance work in illustration, Bet Borgeson, author/artist of several art books such as,  “Basic Colored Pencil Techniques,” has influenced Judy’s artistic ability through workshops in Monterey, California.  

Judy’s inspiration for writing a nutritional picture book for kids came to her as she witnessed the dreadful eating habits of our youth in the public school system.  With a great commitment for healthy living and a desire to make a contribution to help all children, Judy concluded that now is the time to take immediate action. She combined her skill of illustration and a desire to research and write, and as a result “Crunching Carrots, Not Candy” has culminated into a compelling reality.     

While she researched information for CCNC, she learned that 40% of all children are overweight in the state of California. In addition, she discovered that the Hispanic population is suffering from alarming diabetic problems related to obesity.  But she sympathetically comprehends that all people are exposed to this eating condition so language has also become an important element in writing “Crunching Carrots, NOT Candy.”  Although CCNC is formatted in English/Spanish, she invites multiple language translations to serve all people.   

Some of her recent CCNC book activities include: 

Media Coverage and Publications

• CCNC will be one of the local children's books featured in the January-February issue of "The Stanislaus Magazine," written by Matt Andrews (a freelance writer of Modesto).
• On October 25, 2008, "Crunching Carrots, NOT Candy" was listed in a DC Examiners article, "Leaving behind NCLB, not children," written by Examiner Columnist Erica Jacobs.
• CCNC book review in California Country Magazine, May/June 2008 Edition.
• CCNC book review published in the March 25 Edition of Nurseweek Magazine.
• A feature article of CCNC in the “Turlock Living Magazine” written by Christina Rhodes, TLM Reporter. (January 2008)
• A guest of CW-31/CBS-13 on their morning segment of “Mom’s World” with Anchor/Report Michele Kane in Sacramento, California. (November 2007)
• Featured as a "LightFull Lady" for her work with CCNC, by LightFullFoods.com.
• Marty Martindale, a freelance writer for "Food Site Of the Day", has included a recommendation of CCNC in their online newsletter (July 2007) on http://foodsiteoftheday.com/previous.htm.  Check it out!
• Featured in the April issue of Stanislaus Connections. 
• Chosen one of Educators' Top 100 Children's Books in an online poll conducted by the National Education Association.  The survey was conducted in 2007 and compiled to assist parents and teachers in selecting quality literature for children.
• The National Education Association published a CCNC article in the September 2006, “NEA Today” publication under the heading, Books By NEA Members (pg. 61). This is quite an honor since a large volume of submissions is never featured
• Featured in California State University Stanislaus Alumni Magazine (Turlock, CA) 
  in December 2006 (pg. 25)   
• An article in the Modesto Bee, “Local Authors Published,” August 13, 2006 (Modesto, CA)
• Story proposal for the Emanuel Medical Center’s “Heart Beat” circular (Turlock, CA) - January 2007.

• Children's Health Fair and Festival sponsored by Hughson Family Resource Center on Saturday, April 25, 2009.
• Book signing at Borders in Turlock (Countryside Drive & Monte Vista Avenue) on Sunday, December 14, 2008. 
• Book signing at Borders in Modesto on (Sisk Road) on Saturday, December 21, 2008.
• CCNC (by invitation) is on the Cambridge Who's Who Registry, a business index of professionals in USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.
• "Wrap it Up" Holiday Gift Fair, Dec 6 and 7 in Oakdale, CA
• "Three In One" book signing at the McHenry Museum on Saturday, August 23, 2008 with Oakdale author Lisa Widdess and Modesto Illustrator Suzann Staud.
• Invited to the "Authors' and Illustrators' Faire" in Ceres on Wednesday, May 28, 2008.
• Participated in the 6th Annual Human Services Awareness Day hosted by the Modesto Junior College Human Services Club on Tuesday, April 1, 2008.
• Through the Mother Lode American Heart Association, the “Take It To Heart” Foundation raised money and purchased 100 CCNC books to incorporate into their “Family Fit Program,” fighting against childhood obesity in Tuolumne and Calaveras Counties, California. (October 2007)  
• Judy participated in the California Authors booth at the California State Fair August 17 through September 3.  She was on site at the exhibit on August 29 and on September 2.
• Judy delivered a community presentation on CCNC at the El Concilio Community Center in Modesto, CA on July 26, 2007.
• Participated in the Soroptimist Saturday of Service project -- "Spring into Action", a Health & Fitness Faire for Women and Girls in Angels Camp, CA., March 3, 2007.
• CCNC featured at the Turlock Public Library for the month of November, 2006.
• A book signing at Main Street Antiques and Collectibles in conjunction with a celebration of  “A Taste of Down Town,” and an article in the Turlock Journal (Turlock, CA) announcing the event  - Summer of 2006
• Speaking invitations at Denair Elementary Ag Day and the Julien Elementary School Garden Party (Turlock, CA).
• Donations of CCNC Books to the Julien Elementary School Library and Teachers, and to Brown Elementary School (Turlock, CA).
• Donations of CCNC T-shirts to Julien Elementary Students and Teachers (Turlock, CA).
• Participated in the first annual "Walk from Obesity" event held in Modesto, CA in August 2006.

• Member of the Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
• Member of the American Association of University Women.
• Member of the National League of American Pen Women
• Member of the National Education Association and the California Teachers Association

New Books COMING SOON:

• "Packing A Nutritional Punch" ...a healthy guide for Teens, Parent and Teachers, 
• "The ABC'c of CCNC...a rhyming book of fruit and veggie facts for Tots, and 
• "The Purse Curse" and "Luna and Ray"...two fun story books. 

Judy continues to strengthen her goal of providing children with the tools to fight this battle of obesity. In return the children will become the driving force to change eating habits and implement the necessary active lifestyles.