Many of us have heard of Amber Was Brave, Essie Was Smart (2001) but author Vera B. Williams, born on January 28th, has many other titles to her name. Born in California, but a protege of New York City, Ms. Williams created stories for her own children, not considering a career in children's books until she was in her mid 40s and illustrated her first book, Hooray for Me (1975). A few years later she tried her hand at writing and created It's A Gingerbread House, Bake It, Build It, Eat It (1978).
Often asked where her ideas come from, Ms. Williams replies "As I walk, shower, fall asleep or wake, dialogue is creating itself. The Muse is hovering— new stories are beginning to bubble up." Ms. Williams sees herself most like her character Bidemmi in Cherries and Cherry Pits (1986).
Ms. Williams has received two Caldecott Honors, one for More, More, More Said the Baby: Three Love Stories (Greenwillow, 1991), the other for A Chair for My Mother (Greenwillow, 1983).
