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Special Education Teacher and Former Correctional Officer Writes Unique, Realistic, Illustrated Children's Book About a Boy With an Incarcerated Father
Stanley Williams
Kalamazoo, MI (BlackNews.com) - Michigan special education teacher, and former Illinois correctional officer, Stanley Williams, has authored a realistic fiction, illustrated children's book, titled Willie's Dad, which tells about the experience of having a father in prison, through the eyes of a child. Williams has taken realistic children's fiction to an unusual and highly emotional location with his first illustrated book. The story takes places primarily in a prison visiting room, where a son is visiting his incarcerated father. Williams wrote the story of a father's unselfish love for his son with tasteful authenticity, based on his professional and personal experience. The illustrations by his teaching colleague, Najima Abdul- Haqq expertly renders sympathetic visual realism to the story.
Williams was born and raised in Joliet, Illinois, the location of the legendary Joliet, and Stateville adult maximum correctional centers. This upbringing impacted his awareness of the prison-industrial complex. During his formative years, it provided him with endless opportunities for observation and reflection on the complex social implications of imprisoning human beings.
Mr. Williams was a correctional officer for six-plus years, at a medium-security prison in Illinois during the 1980's. He has been an elementary school teacher for over eight years, up to the present. Williams conceived the story early in his teaching career, and spent several years creating the story, and refining it into the book it is today. He shared his story with fellow teacher Naima Abdul- Haqq, who agreed to illustrate. Haqq is the art teacher in the same elementary school as Williams.
Some critics have described the book as "dark," or "too intense." Mr. Williams responds to these concerns by saying, "the bottom line is, I wanted to talk about what is really going on, for millions of children, and give them something they could identify with, enjoy, and maybe help them to heal." Other readers have demonstrated a better understanding of Williams' intent, and have been highly impressed with the result; Ann J. said about the story, "Great story of an unselfish love...It brought tears to my eyes...Thank You." "This story touched my heart. It was very well written and I loved it.," wrote Shelbia C. after reading it. Julie R wrote, "A wonderful story of love. Sometimes the greatest gift of love is learning when to let it go!" exclaimed Dona B. "I never knew my father, loved your story...thanks for sharing," Larry H.
Mr. Williams is developing a teacher's and users' guide for professionals and other interested parties to use the book as a teaching and therapeutic tool, as well as simple entertainment for those who want to have deep conversation, with, and about, at-risk youth. Mr. Williams and Mrs. Abdul-Haqq have permanently pledged to give ten percent of net proceeds to a scholarship fund for graduates of their impoverished school district. The book is categorized as a children's book, but it has repeatedly demonstrated that adults find it deeply moving and highly memorable, also.
Mr. Williams can be reached through his email stanwilliam01@gmail.com, or by phone at 269-370-8994. For more information, please visit his homepage at http://stanwilliams01.googlepages.com/
CONTACT:
Stanley Williams
269-370-8994
stanwilliam01@gmail.com
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