Judy Kozina Author of Just-Published Children’s Books for the Holidays

A Lodi mom and teacher is a newly published author of two holiday books, All the Cool Snowmen and The Reindeer Rundown with Donner and Blitzen, that are just the thing for youngsters on your Christmas list.

“Being surrounded by students’ humor and curiosity for over 25 years has created a vast mental library of book ideas. This year, I finally decided it was time to put pen to paper and bring those ideas to life,” Judy Kozina said. “When I earned the amazing title of Mom I became inspired to write children’s books of my own.”

Judy and her husband have one daughter; she said her daughter’s love of graphic novels and rhyming stories, combined with her own love for the holidays and charming characters, sparked the creation of these two books. “By night, I’m an aspiring author-illustrator living in Lodi with my husband, Matt, and our daughter, Maryn. They have been wonderfully supportive and very tolerant of our dining table full of reindeer doodles. They are the first to hear my new story ideas and have been my editors, free of charge,” she said. “My daughter loves to read, and through her and my students I have seen the lasting impact a good book or series can have on a child.”

The author said her stories celebrate friendships, promote positivity and bring out the magic of being a kid. “I want to be a part of creating those meaningful stories that leave a lasting impression, and to also show my daughter that ideas and dreams can become a reality.”

All the Cool Snowmen is a hardcover picture book with catchy rhyming verses best suited for preschoolers. It tells the story of how friendship means that no one gets left out in the cold, no matter how big and furry they might appear.

The Reindeer Rundown is suitable for anyone who believes in Santa, Judy said of the paperback book. In the story, Donner and Blitzen host a hilarious holiday tell-all podcast in which they spill secrets about the jolly old man in his signature red suit with his iconic “Ho, Ho, Ho.” The reindeer siblings unwrap the history of Santa and offer plenty of laughs, mischief and holiday chaos.

Judy’s books can be purchased on her Bookshop website at bookshop.org/shop/judykozina or online at Walmart, Amazon or Barnes & Noble. All the Cool Snowmen is $15.99 and The Reindeer Rundown with Donner and Blitzen is $14.99.