A Vancouver Island author is drawing rave reviews with her first attempt at children’s literature. Judy Bidgood, better known by her pen name JD Monk, was shocked by the reception she received upon the release of her book Slimy Slick: The Nighttime Adventures of a Banana Slug.
“This was a surprise to me and my first foray into anything to do with fiction,” says Bidgood.
The retired chiropractor and teacher was looking for things to do during the pandemic and decided to create her first children’s book.
For Bidgood, the process was therapeutic.
“My solution to managing stress is to do something productive and positive and so it certainly satisfied that,” smiles Bidgood.
The book chronicles the day of a banana slug named Slimy Slick, from his daily meal to interactions with humans.
“He’s such a cute little character you know,” says Bidgood. “Happily starting out on his nighttime adventure and of course he runs into several difficulties in the night which builds tension in the story,” adds Bidgood.
Slimy’s trials and tribulations have been a huge hit. The book has become a number one seller on Amazon.
“I’ve been delighted and so surprised to learn that I was not the only one who didn’t know anything about slugs,” smiles Bidgood.
The slug based book came as a result of Bidgood’s first interaction with the slow-moving creature.
“I really thought it was the ugliest creature I’d ever seen and for some reason it’s stuck in my mind and I actually named it Slippery Slimy Slickity Slug,” smiles Bidgood. “That was just my way of reconciling my rejection, my unfair rejection, of this ugly creature.”
She’s gotten over her initial repulsion and has set out to inform the world of the benefits of slugs. The educational facts sprinkled throughout make the book not just educational for children, but adults as well.
“Definitely those educational facts appeal to adults, but I like to think of the adult and the child reading it together and learning things together,” says Bidgood.
You can find the book online through Amazon or Indigo.
Victoria’s Judy Bidgood’s newest children’s book, Slimy Slick: The Nighttime Adventures of a Banana Slug, helped her become a top seller on Amazon. Bidgood writes books under her penname, J.D. Monk.
Cole Sorenson
