I was crushed, since I'd had such a good time writing it.' I loved the idea and spent the summer writing it, but when I sent it to my agent, she said that she didn't think that this was what Ann had in mind at all but would send it along to her anyway. 'Ann liked the story well enough, but suggested I expand it into a chapter book. This was a huge event in my life,' she explained. 'Ann invited me to lunch and I was incredibly nervous. The character of Fudge was inspired by my son, Larry, and the plot was inspired by a newspaper article about a toddler who swallowed the family's pet turtle.'īlume originally wrote the first Fudge story as a picture book and showed it to her agent, who offered to introduce her to Ann Durell, then publisher of Dutton Children's Books. 'I had never published anything and didn't know if I ever would publish anything. 'I was just starting my writing career,' she recalled. Speaking by phone from her summer home on Martha's Vineyard, Blume reminisced about the genesis of Fudge. Retailers' high expectations are understandable: more than 75 million copies of Blume's books have been sold worldwide, and her work has been translated into 26 languages.

She reported 'across-the-board enthusiasm' for the new title from booksellers and such healthy advance orders that a first printing of 250,000 copies is on order.

“ Fudge-a-Mania infects kids with giggles.Stephanie Lurie, president and publisher of Dutton, and the editor of Double Fudge, noted that the timing of this latest caper is 'serendipitous,' as it coincides not only with the 30th anniversary of Fudge's debut but also with Dutton's 150th anniversary. Newcomers and Fudge fans alike will savor this installment in the well-loved series.” -Booklist on Double Fudge “As usual, Blume’s humor and pitch-perfect ear for sibling rivalry and family dynamics will have readers giggling with recognition. Reading in this story.” - Children’s Digest on Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

“For anyone who has ever been ‘burdened’ by a pesky younger brother, there’s fast and funny “Blume has her eye on the fine details of life, whether funny or frustrating.” - Booklist Remarkable ability for combining humor with perceptive insight into a child’s world.” - Publishers Weekly “It’s a pleasure to watch a talented author like Judy Blume consistently create books that reflect a Judy Blume has a knack for knowing what children think about and an honest, highly amusing way of writing about it.” - The New York Times “Each is packed with wacky earthy disasters that are her trademark and that children love to read about. Praise for Judy Blume and the Fudge books:

Superfudge series