Bear Helps the Forest
(Charlesbridge August 2023)
Kirkus: A lush and Lyrical look at the science of a forest renewed
A Thousand White Butterflies
“An Encouraging Story of New Beginnings” Kirkus, January 1, 2021
A recently arrived child from Colombia misses her father and her friends back home, so she looks forward to her first day of school and making new friends.
As Isabella looks out the window, the world outside feels strange, and “the United States is cold and gray.” Her mother assures her she will make new friends in school. Eagerly anticipating the first day of school, Isabella readies her new jeans and “fluffy orange sweater” as well as her school supplies. But when her “make-new-friends day” finally arrives, it is snowing and school is cancelled. With her dreams of new friends dashed, Isabella stares out the window where the snow looks like “a thousand white butterflies.” When she sees a girl fall in the snow, Isabella runs out to help only to discover the girl grinning—she has just made a snow angel. After spending a day playing outside, making more angels and building a snowman, Isabella is delighted. She has made a friend. Maldonado’s charming illustrations are simple and colorful, depicting a brown-skinned girl with two cute little braids sticking out on either side of her head. Katie, Isabella’s new friend, wears glasses and has pale skin and straight red hair. The story is a little bland and predictable, which lends it a sweet and reassuring feel. Many a newly arrived child will recognize Isabella’s homesickness and need for reassurance that life will work out in this new country. Isabella narrates in English, the dialogue within her family entirely in Spanish; the fact that she and Katie speak only in their own languages interferes not a whit in their playll delight in the suspense and satisfaction that build and bind this layered tale.
A Bank Street College 2022 Best Book of the Year.
University of Wisconsin Cooperative Children’s Book Center Best Book of the Year 2022
Facing Fear
A Bank Street College 2022 Best Book of the Year.
Kirkus: Crucial in its Timeliness
“The son of undocumented immigrants learns about what threatens to tear apart his family.”
Hooray! Enrique’s soccer team is going to the tournament. There’s only one problem: Enrique must get his permission slip signed by his father, who refuses to sign it for fear of what will happen when Enrique travels through the checkpoint. “If they find something on your papers, they could send us back across the border, split us up,” says Papá. Though Enrique’s a U.S. citizen by birthright, Papá, Mamá, and his sister, Rosa, all live in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants. Papá’s refusal to sign the permission slip enrages Enrique, who fears that he’s letting down his team. “Why did his father worry so much?” When rumors of a migra roundup begin to circulate, Enrique’s family takes refuge at his tía’s home, where Papá finally shares with Enrique the full story of the family’s difficult journey across the border. While Williams never explicitly pins down the specific geographical context or the family’s cultural background (the artwork depicts them as brown-skinned and places a Mexican national soccer team banner on Enrique’s bedroom wall), this demonstrative tale nonetheless commits to a portrait of an immigrant experience that’s full of uncertainty due to the U.S. government’s heavily anti-immigrant agenda. The author’s use of text that’s direct and blunt in message clearly expresses the weight of what’s always at stake, even though this commitment to frankness leads to some abrupt tonal shifts. Palacios’ colorful, bright pictures exude enough warmth to push back against the bleakness that threatens to overwhelm.
Publishers Weekly:
As Enrique’s family takes refuge with relatives to avoid a possible roundup, he learns the full story of the family’s journey to America, and gains a deeper appreciation for their courage.
…heartfelt and sympathetic, with back matter that provides context and lists support organizations and further reading suggestions. In earnest vignettes, Palacios (A Way with Wild Things) brings emotional tension to the family’s backstory, clearly portraying the relentless anxiety of one undocumented family’s experience.
Spirit of the Cheetah
Kirkus Review, 2020-12-15
Roblay wants to win the big race to prove he is a man; will his grandfather’s advice lead him to success?
Mohammed and Williams (Four Feet, Two Sandals, illustrated by Doug Chayka, 2007) team up again to tell a tale of a boy in Somalia who draws on tradition to excel. After irritating many with his constant practice, running everywhere, Roblay does not win a top spot in the village race. Disappointed, he gets advice from his grandfather, Awoowo, who tells him he must capture the spirit of the mighty Shabelle River by leaving his thumbprint on the coat of a cheetah, for which the river is named. All year long, Roblay watches the cheetah from the opposite side of the river, studying her movements, running when she runs. On the morning of the next year’s race, Roblay has just one thing left to do to guarantee his success. Roblay’s personal goal, his supportive family, and his rich cultural tradition weave together in a lovely story of determination and perseverance. Cairns’ illustrations use delicate strokes to depict vast, green natural landscapes, simple homes, and dignified people who respect the local wildlife. Readers will delight in the suspense and satisfaction that build and bind this layered tale.
NY City Big Books Award 2022
Silver Medal Midwest Book Awards 2022
Four Feet, Two Sandals
The cities of Bologna and Itabashi have a sister city relationship and are culturally twinned in the promotion of children’s books. Each year a translation contest is held in Itabashi, Tokyo in which participants buy selected English or Italian children’s books and prepare a translation, which they submit to the competition. This is the 15th year that the Itabashi Translation Contest is being held.
The books that are in the competition are chosen by the committee of the Bologna Book Fair in Itabashi – Picture Book Translation Contest from the picture books that Bologna contributes each year to the city of Itabashi. The committee includes professional translators, picture book authors, and/or teachers. The contest receives support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Canadian Embassy, the Italian Embassy, the Chinese Embassy, the Mongolian Embassy, the Japan School Libraries Conference, the Japanese Libraries Association, and the Japan Book Publishing Association among other domestic, non-profit, book-related organizations.
Four Feet, Two Sandals, was selected as Book of the Month by the Rutgers University Project on Economics and Children.
Four Feet, Two Sandals was selected for the 2008 list of Notable Books for a Global Society, awarded by the Children’s Literature and Reading Special Interest Group of the International Reading Association. Each year, this program selects a list of 25 outstanding trade books that enhance student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world.
Four Feet, Two Sandals was chosen to be a part of the Reading List: Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People — a project presented yearly by the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and the Children’s Book Council (CBC).
Four Feet Two Sandals was chosen by Jessica Doyle, the First Lday of Wisconsin for Read On Wisconsin! for the book of the month for March 2008 and was distributed to school and community groups across the state.
A Spring 2008 Horn book Guide recommended book.
School Library journal: Double-page acrylic paintings in muted colors enhance the well-written narrative, depicting the desert setting as well as camp conditions and cultural details, such as the character’s clothing. The girls’ changing emotions are clearly conveyed through the text’s understated tone and the realistic pictures. This poignant story of loss, friendship, and sharing introduces readers to the realities of children growing up in refugee camps.
Circles of Hope
Society of Illustrators: “The Original Art” Annual Exhibition (2005) —ReadBoston: Best Read Aloud Book, runner-up (2005)—Green Earth Book Award: Honorable Mention, Children’s Books (2006) (for a book that promotes appreciation, respect, and responsibility for the natural environment, given by the Newton Marasco foundation) —Skipping Stones Magazine: Skipping Stones Honor Award (2006)
(for promoting respect for ecological richness and cultural diversity) –Bank Street College: Best Children’s Books of the Year (2006)—Peace Corps Writers Association: Best Children’s Writing (2006)
“A story of sibling love and responsibility, written without didacticism or sentimentalism.” —Kirkus Reviews
“In this hopeful, gentle account, Williams frames the tale of a Haitian boyʼs struggle to keep a tree alive against the larger story of his countryʼs struggle against poverty…. This uplifting tale suggests that one child can make a difference — a powerful message for readers.” —Publishers Weekly
“This heartfelt story is supplemented by a glossary of Creole words and an authorʼs note explaining the Haitian custom of planting a fruit tree at the birth of a child. The vibrant charcoal-and-pastel full-spread illustrations are rich with color and add an exotic, dreamlike quality to the story…. [A] hopeful tale of family unity.” —School Library Journal
A Beach Tail
Children will relate to his adventure, which pivots on the moment he realizes he has lost sight of his dad. But a winning combination of good memory and self-reliance lead to a most satisfactory ending. Scoop up this tale for its strength as a unique beach story and for its warm portrayal of an African-American son and father enjoying the outdoors. (Picture book. 3-6) — Kirkus
Galimoto
A Reading Rainbow Featured Book
New York Times Book Review Top Ten Books for Children, Summer Reading Selection
Martin Luther King “Living the Dream” Book Award
ParentsChoice Honor Book, ParentsChoice Foundation
“Ms. Williams is a skillful story teller and uses language nimbly…Her text, while precise, is smooth and lyrical–a joy to read aloud. The story’s strength is in the subtly stated message that persistence and creativity can make dreams come true in spite of the odds” —Patricia McKissack, New York Times Book Review
”Children from all corners of the world will warm to this tale of a boy’s persistence.” —Publishers Weekly
“Not only an authentic picture of present-day Africa, this is also an attractive portrayal of self-reliant children who know how to meet their own needs through good-humored bargaining and ingenuity, happily absorbed in imaginative play.” —Kirkus
”Kondi’s perseverance and the pleasure he takes in his accomplishments are just two of the delights of this appealing story.” —The Horn Book Magazine
When Africa Was Home
—Editorʼs Choice, Booklist
“The joyful text and Cooper’s boldly drawn, glowing oil-wash pictures evoke the intensely physical experience of the small child, his delight in the place and culture, what it feels like to belong there.” — Hazel Rochman, Booklist starred review
“In a warmly nostalgic story based on Williams family’s experience in the Peace Corps…A book that persuasively presents a world that may seem especially alien as welcoming and nurturing.” —Kirkus
“Williams lived in Africa for several years and obviously has strong emotional ties to that land and its people.” —Publishers Weekly
“In the rush to fill the need for multicultural books, it is wonderful to find one that is so rich in feeling as well as story and setting.” —American Booksellers Pick of the List
Tap Tap
A Junior Library Guild Selection: “This satisfying story of a memorable market day, accompanied by vivid watercolor paintings, is filled with the bustle and color of Haitian village life. Based on Williams experience living in Haiti with brilliant and accurate illustrations by Stock.”
“As they did in Galimoto, Williams and Stock here bring a cultural tradition to life for young readers. Children will enjoy the rollicking ride almost as much as Sasifi herself.” —Publishers Weekly
My Name is Sangoel
Praise from Publishers Weekly and Kirkus
Painted Dreams
“As they did in Galimoto, this author and illustrator gently and deftly portray a child with few material goods but with plenty of hope, dreams, and ingenuity.” —starred review, School Library Journal
Baseball & Butterflies
“Sure to strike a chord with young readers.” —Bulletin of the Center for Childrenʼs Books
“An expertly done early chapter book.” —Kirkus
A Real Christmas This Year
Mark Twain Award nominee —Missouri Association of School Librarians
“Williams has written an eye-opener about life with the handicapped. The straightforward writing is always empathetic, never pitying…a compelling novel about the real meaning of Christmas.” —Kirkus
First Grade King
“Williams exhibits an understanding for the concerns and sentiments of young children in this amusing story.” —The Horn Book Guide
One Thing I’m Good At
“Williams has created a cast of realistic characters that includes a crabby teenager, a frustrated substitute, and a teacherʼs pet. A satisfying story with an important message about self-image.” —School Library Journal
Applebaum’s Garage
A Junior Library Guild Selection
“Applebaumʼs social withdrawal following a childʼs accident in his yard is well portrayed, and the three plot strands involving Robbie, the mouse, and Applebaum are tied together neatly into a satisfying ending.” —Booklist