Prudy’s Problem and How She Solved It

written and illustrated by Carey Armstrong-Ellis

As a child, I collected many things - mice (not real), insects (real), toadstools (very real, unfortunately). I even had an impressive collection of cast-off cicada shells. As

an adult, I was amused to watch my children, with no encouragement from me or my long-suffering husband, start making collections of their own. Amusement turned to alarm, however, as their collective tendencies far surpassed mine...

So I wrote this story about a little girl who collects too much stuff, and how she solves her problem. Prudy's Problem and How She Solved It is my first book.

Book Description

A wonderfully whimsical look at how museums get started. Most kids collect something. But Prudy collects everything! Rocks, stamps, foil, worn-out toothbrushes, pretty paper napkins, tufts of hair from different breeds of dogs-everything! No matter what her friends and family say, Prudy insists that she doesn't have a collecting problem, until the day she tries to add just one more gum wrapper to her shiny things collection . . . .

Prudy's problem-and her inspired idea for solving it-will have young readers collecting laughs on every page!

From the critics

“A nudge and tickle in the ribs for packrats of all ages-and the people who tolerate them-from a breakout talent.”  Publishers Weekly

“Even children who don't share Prudy's addiction (if there are any) will pore over her deliciously quirky collections in this light-hearted debut.” Kirkus Reviews

“Wacky, colorful art with some of the characters displaying Edward Goreyesque touches adds tremendous fun to this wonderfully nontherapeutic, irreverent tale.”  School Library Journal

“Armstrong-Ellis' gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are full of fun and farce, packed with lots of lively detail to draw kids into Prudy's astonishing collection.”  Booklist

*Buy this book!

Unfortunately, Prudy’s Problem is now out of print. But you may be able to get a used copy here!

If you would like a signed bookplate for your book, send a SASE to me! Email me for the address