Vera Williams: Illustrating a love for life

By SANDY LONG

NARROWSBURG, NY — When acclaimed children’s book author and illustrator Vera B. Williams was recently awarded the 50th Regina Medal, she made her feelings about the honor clear: “I love it!” she enthused. “Awards are good for you. They’re like vitamins.”

Williams, now 81, joins the likes of Tasha Tudor and Madeleine L’Engle in receiving the prestigious award, which is given annually by the Catholic Library Association to the person whose contribution to children’s literature best embodies the words of poet Walter de la Mare, who wrote, “Only the rarest kind of best in anything can be good enough for the young.”

Williams’ appreciation for the young is evident in her many award-winning titles, which provide stories of the heart where children and adults deal with real-life challenges in ways that show the resiliency of the human spirit and the transformative power of love.

“I think of myself as an advocate for childhood,” said the spunky author/illustrator, whose bright eyes and mischievous smile create the perception that Williams has managed to preserve a child’s penchant for wonder, and the great adventure of life, into her ninth decade.

Williams likes “people and characters who are glad they were born and are making the most of that singular opportunity,” and she has created books that don’t shy from the sometimes difficult realities of growing up. “Some things that are hard for a child to express can be said for her or him through story and picture. You can’t shield children from everything. Enough children have terrible things to cope with, but many manage to be spirited despite difficult lives,” she said.

Her book, “Amber was Brave, Essie was smart,” was inspired by memories of early childhood with her sister and mother during the temporary absence of their father, probably due to imprisonment. Family history is unclear about this, but Williams has made it a fact of her characters’ lives as it may be for more than a few of her readers (though rarely written about).

In a HarperCollins essay by Williams about the book, she wrote, “I’ve been close to the world of children all my life, as teacher, parent, grandparent as well as children’s author/illustrator. I feel how all children, not just the unlucky ones, face bewildering happenings and mysterious adult emotions. But like my characters, they are brave and smart! They take life into their small hands, intent on having the joy and hope and play of childhood no matter what.”

The beloved bookmaker believes that those who create children’s literature bear a certain responsibility to their readers. She explained, “I often wonder—what could you be most grateful for in this world? It’s that you get a chance to live. It’s a phenomenal adventure and an important way to look at life if you’re going to write for children. It’s a cruelty to them if you deprive them of their hope and good spirit. Children suffer, and fate has its cruelties, but people’s spirits can triumph.”

Williams witnesses those triumphs in her interactions with children, whom she considers to be too complex to be labeled “cute.” She points out, “Children are as various as adults. Different children like different stories, just like adults. There must be a range of stories to satisfy a range of tastes and needs.”

Williams began crafting books in high school and still cherishes the opportunity to create them for children. “Children are fascinated by the artifact that is a book,” she said. “There’s something about a book that’s really yours. It comes to reveal itself through the turning of pages. Books are mysterious, emotional, fantastical, funny, spiritual and adventurous.”

When Williams started making books, there were very few of them with images of the variety of people that make up our country. She strove to change that and found a supportive publisher in Greenwillow Books. “I didn’t want a situation where someone of a color other than white couldn’t find someone like herself in a book,” she noted.

Through books, children can explore their worlds by using their imaginations, while sampling various possibilities. “You get to try on the world a little bit. Through identifying with the characters, you can have whatever color hair you want, or live in any kind of house, at least in your imagination. There are worlds on those pages.”

Asked why children deserve “the rarest kind of best in anything,” Williams replied, “Because they are our best hope. Every time someone is born, I feel hope is renewed. Who knows where our best talents and imaginations will come from to serve our world?”

Hear Williams discuss the art of choosing children’s books during her upcoming workshop (see sidebar at right).

About Vera B. Williams

• Born January 28, 1927. Lives in New York City and has a cottage on the Narrowsburg Flats.

• Raised three children, Sarah, Jennifer and Merce, and has five grandchildren.

• Graduated from Black Mountain College, North Carolina, where she met and married Paul F. Williams.

• Helped to found a cooperative community and an alternative school; later lived on a houseboat in Vancouver, Canada.

• Organized against militarism, injustice and the threat of nuclear destruction. Was imprisoned for these activities.

• Made a 500-mile canoe trip on the Yukon River.

• Illustrated her first book, “Hooray for Me!” (by Remy Charlip) at the age of 46.

• New book due out in fall 2009. “The Chair for Always” will be fourth in her beloved Chair series.

Her advice to a child born today

• Pick good parents and treat them well.

• Play a lot, read a lot and learn to dance.

• Let yourself get enthusiastic and excel at something.

• Get a dog, a chicken, a goat; some animal if you can.

• Ask a lot of questions and don’t be shy.

One thing you probably didn’t know

• She’s been an eager, and is now a sometime, mushroom hunter

“Helping Parents Pick Quality Books for Children”

April 25, 7:00 p.m.

Tusten-Cochecton Branch of the Western Sullivan Library, Narrowsburg, NY

“The intimacy of books and the rituals of family life mixes books with affection and love. Children’s books grow out of the part of you that was, and perhaps remains, a child,” says Vera B. Williams, who will offer tips on selecting quality books for kids. Childcare is available and refreshments will be provided.

“Children’s literature is a very interesting genre because it has to appeal to children and adults. It’s a shared piece of literature and a real bond between family members. The things you read as a child feature in the rest of your life.”

Williams has been creating books for 40 years and has received many recognitions, including two Caldecott honors, the Charlotte Zolotow Award and The New York Times Best Illustrated Books of the Year. She was named the U.S. Illustrator Nominee for the 2004 Hans Christian Andersen Illustrator Award.