Q&A with Judy Collins, who'll sign book in Huntington

Judy Collins says she "never got over" Stephen Stills writing "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" for her back in the day when they were lovers.

But she probably won't be discussing her love life during Thursday night's appearance at Huntington's Book Revue.

The folk soprano of the '60s and '70s will sign copies of her children's book (published by friend and fellow folkie Peter Yarrow). "Over the Rainbow," illustrated by Eric Puybaret, with text lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, tells the story of the song, not of "Wizard of Oz," the 1939 film classic that showcased Judy Garland as the girl from Kansas. The song, curtailed in the movie, is complete here - including uncredited contributions by Ira Gershwin.

Aside from her three-song CD inserted in the book, Collins has released a new CD on her own Wildflower label. "Paradise" is a collection of folk classics, covers and duets with friends and colleagues, plus a couple of originals, including "Kingdom Come," a 9/11 song written by Collins.

We chatted with her by phone on the book tour that took her to Boston.

Do you think it's important to pair children's literature with music or other media to hold kids' attention in a digital age?

I was thrilled to get this out. It's a way to connect with children on several levels.

You were named for Judy Garland four months before "Over the Rainbow" was released. Which of your parents was the Judy Garland fan at that early age?

My father was in the radio biz. And Judy Garland was already well known for the Andy Hardy movies . So I guess he was influenced by all that.

Tell us about your duets on the album.

It was a lovely experience, sharing Joan's song with her . And Stephen, well, he wrote "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" for me, and I never got over it. We've remained friends ever since. He came over to do "The Last Thing on My Mind" as a cover, then suggested we do it together. We're singing it live in October for AARP."

WHAT Judy Collins book and CD signing

WHEN | WHERE 7 Thursday night at Book Revue, 313 New York Ave., Huntington

INFO Free ($17.95 for the book/CD); bookrevue.com, 631-271-1442