Judith Wolf Mandell

SAMMY'S BROKEN LEG (OH, NO!) AND THE AMAZING CAST THAT FIXED IT began with a phone call: could I watch our infant granddaughter while my daughter rushed the two-year-old to the pediatrician. An "Oh, No!" fall had broken her leg. Eleven hours later I was handed a sleepy, scared child encased in purple fiberglass. The words "beached whale" came to mind.

The next month was hard as we watched pain, immobility and disruption of her vigorous life turn our granddaughter into a sad, scrawny version of her robust self. I vowed to someday write a book to help other young children and their families cope with the physical and emotional upset of life interrupted by a cast.

SAMMY'S BROKEN LEG (OH, NO!) AND THE AMAZING CAST THAT FIXED IT:

*gives children and their families realistic expectations about a prolonged recuperation; and

*gives children a secret, whimsical source of power over their circumstance. The idea of a troupe of cheerleading kisses came as an "A-ha," inspired by a line from CYRANO DE BERGERAC: "A kiss is the rosy dot over the 'i' of loving."

With degrees from top-notch universities -- a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Michigan and a Masters of Arts from Harvard Graduate School of Education -- I've had a razzle-dazzle writing career. I've been publicist for The Viking Press in Manhattan; in San Diego, public television producer, print journalist, mayoral press secretary and public relations practitioner; book reviewer and essayist. SAMMY is my first book.

Eight years in the making, SAMMY has been an adventure, a challenge and an exercise in trusting my judgment. I sent the early manuscript to friends and relatives. Most loved it, some disputed The Kisses. Harumph! Do these nay-sayers dispute Santa, Peter Pan, the Tooth Fairy?

Over time, research led to rewrites. My Katie heroine became a tomboyish Sammy when I learned that boys have twice the fractures as girls; a second grade "focus group" helped me choose from among alternative endings. I sent the manuscript to pediatricians, psychologists, educators to make sure my story stood up to professional scrutiny. Their testimonials are on the book's back cover.

Networking rules! After an online search brought artists' portfolios from around the world, I

I found my illustrator, Lise C. Brown, eight miles from home. Unusual in author/illustrator arrangements, our relationship has been collaborative and collegial. I treasure it.

I also treasure this compliment from Mark Levine, well-known author of six editions of THE FINE PRINT OF SELF-PUBLISHING:

"I read your entire book. You are an example of how to proactively and successfully create a publishable children's book. The illustrations are definitely page-turners for a child. I also thought the story and illustrations balanced each other well. Plus, your resourcefulness in finding an illustrator and getting the files made for the various distribution platforms is impressive."

Find out more about my book on SAMMY'S BROKEN LEG Facebook page and at sammysbrokenleg.com. Be in touch with me at judithwolfmandell@gmail.com.