Author rewarded for her patience

MANNSVILLE — “Chicken Said, ‘Cluck.’”

Editors at HarperCollins said they liked the above book and would publish it.

The writer said that was wonderful.

The illustrator said — hold on.

The above scenario played out for 10 years. Finally, in October, Judyann Ackerman Grant’s book for preschoolers was published by HarperCollins. Since then, “Chicken Said, ‘Cluck’” has been recognized by being named to three national “best of” lists.

For children, the book, through the character “Chicken,” shows how they can make a difference by never giving up. Mrs. Grant also knows that feeling.

She signed a contract with HarperCollins in February 1999.

“The editors were very interested,” said Mrs. Grant, Route 11.

However, they wanted the artwork in the book to be drawn by Sue Truesdell of New Jersey, who did other work for HarperCollins. So they waited.

“It had gotten to six or seven years out. HarperCollins said they might start shopping around for another illustrator,” Mrs. Grant said.

In the meantime, Mrs. Grant continued with her freelance writing work, which includes a column for three area weekly newspapers.

Eventually, Mrs. Truesdell freed up her schedule and began work on “Chicken Said, ‘Cluck,’” which is Mrs. Grant’s first book.

“I’m very thankful they waited,” Mrs. Grant said.

Kirkus Reviews magazine named it one of the top 30 children’s books for 2008. The book is also one of the top 67 books of the School Library Journal. The New York (City) Public Library has added the book to its “One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing” list.

The book was inspired by chickens that were given to the Grant family in 1986 when they moved into their Mannsville home.

“They were a housewarming gift,” Mrs. Grant said. “We didn’t know what to do with them. We raised them as pets because we had three young daughters at the time and there was no way we were going to eat them.”

Those three daughters are now grown and have moved out of the house. Mrs. Grant’s husband, Donald, owns a print shop in Fulton, to which he commutes daily.

The chickens eventually died of natural causes after happily wandering around the Grant homestead for about 10 years.

But Mrs. Grant has something else for inspiration these days, which is good because she said editors at HarperCollins are scratching for a sequel.

“When I sold the book, I didn’t have any grandchildren,” she said. “Now I have five!”

ABOUT THE BOOK

WHAT: "Chicken Said, 'Cluck'" by Mannsville resident Judyann Ackerman Grant with illustrations by Sue Truesdell. (HarperCollins, 32 pages. $16.99) The book is targeted to preschoolers.

WHAT IT'S ABOUT: From the front cover flap: "Earl and Pearl are planting pumpkins. Chicken wants to help. But it seems like the only thing Chicken is good at is getting in the way. Then grasshoppers invade the pumpkin patch, and Earl and Pearl can do nothing to stop them. Suddenly, it's up to Chicken to save the day!"

WHERE IT'S AVAILABLE: Borders at Salmon Run Mall and at online retailers.