Welcome to Judith Kerr Primary School’s very own student newspaper run by students in Year 5 & 6. You will find a range of exciting content – from news stories and feature to investigations, reviews and even an agony aunt column. We aim to show you inside Judith Kerr and help you keep your finger on the pulse of our amazing school community. Welcome and enjoy!

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“I just write about the things that amuse me.”

Judith Kerr, author

BY LUZ

Judith’s Kerr Life

Judith Kerr was an author and illustrator who lived a varied and amazing life. Her career lasted more than 50 years and during taht time, she published more than 30 children’s books. Judith died in 2019, at the age of 95. She was such an avid writer that her last story was released just one month after her death.

When was Judith Kerr born?

Judith Kerr’s real name was Anna Gertrud Helene Kerr. She was born in Berlin, the capital city of Germany, on 14 June, 1923. She lived with her parents and her older brother, Michael. Judith was born into a very talented, creative family. Her father, Alfred Kerr, was a well-known drama critic and writer. Her mother, Julia, was a pianist and composer. When Judith was 10 years old, a political party called the Nazis rose to power in Germany. Judith’s family were Jewish and did not agree with the views of the Nazis. They no longer felt safe in Germany and were forced to leave in 1933. First they went to Switzerland, then France, before moving to Britain when Judith was just 13 years old. 

How did Judith Kerr start her career?

Growing up, Judith loved to draw (like most of us). She spent lots of time drawing people. She would watch the way people moved, notice how their clothes looked and the little quirks that made one person look different from another. Judith took all these ideas and put them into her own drawings, creating new characters (like some of us like doing as well). 

Judith volunteered for The Red Cross during World War Two, helping the wounded soldiers. But her true passion was always art and drawing. She was inspired to become a painter and went to art school.

What books did Judith Kerr write?

There are too many to mention here but, Judith is one of the most loved and admired children’s authors. Some of her most famous books are The Tiger Who Came To Tea, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and the Mog Series about a loveable – but forgetful – cat.