Vera B. Williams – författare

This is Bidemmi''s book. Enter her world, look at the pictures she draws as she tells her stories. You will never forget her.

Follow the red canoe from page to page as it journeys down river carrying the family on a camping tour. It''s the next best thing to paddling it yourself.

A funny book that makes you cry. A sad book that makes you laugh. A book about two sisters and their family that makes you wish you were part of it--and grateful that you are not. In short, this book is one surprise after another. The only thing that is not a surprise is that Vera B. Williams has created a wholly unforgettable, absolutely wonderful portrait of Amber, Essie, and their world. Open the book. You will never be the same again.

This classic and award-winning picture book was written and illustrated by the celebrated Vera B. Williams and was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. ""A tender knockout . . . it''s rare to find much vitality, spontaneity, and depth of feeling in such a simple, young book.""—Kirkus Reviews

After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy. A Chair for My Mother has sold more than a million copies and is an ideal choice for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. ""A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family.""—The Horn Book

Supports the Common Core State Standards

Rosa''s grandma is sick and must stay upstairs in bed. And so the big chair in the living room is often empty. And the money jar--in which the family saved their change to buy the big red chair and Rosa''s accordion--is empty too. All extra money must be used to take care of Grandma.

After school Rosa and her friends Leora, Mae, and Jenny often make music for Grandma. She says their playing makes her feel like a girl again, dancing at a party. And that is the beginning of Rosa''s wonderful idea.

A kaleidoscope of emotions--joy, sadness, merriment, and love--bursts from the pages of this exuberant book.

There are some things that Rosa just knows. She knows that she can''t wait to meet her new baby cousin, due to be born at any minute right upstairs. She knows that she will grow up and move away and maybe go to college, and perhaps even become the president of the United States. And she knows that the chair—that wonderful, beautiful, beloved chair, the chair for her mother—will always be there.

Always.

Just the way it is. Covered in velvet with roses all over it, ready for who-knows-what new adventure . . .

The money jar that Rosa, Mama, and Grandma filled with their coins will be emptied to buy Rosa whatever she wants for her birthday. But what can Rosa choose that special enough-unless it''s a gift they can all enjoy!

This classic and award-winning picture book was written and illustrated by the celebrated Vera B. Williams and was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. ""A tender knockout . . . it''s rare to find much vitality, spontaneity, and depth of feeling in such a simple, young book.""—Kirkus Reviews

After their home is destroyed by a fire, Rosa, her mother, and grandmother save their coins to buy a really comfortable chair for all to enjoy. A Chair for My Mother has sold more than a million copies and is an ideal choice for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. ""A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family.""—The Horn Book

Supports the Common Core State Standards

This classic and heartwarming picture book was written and illustrated by the celebrated Vera B. Williams and was named a Caldecott Honor Book by the American Library Association. 

"A tender knockout. It's rare to find much vitality, spontaneity, and depth of feeling in such a simple, young book."—Kirkus Reviews

Vera Williams tells of a young girl who, along with her waitress mother, saves coins in a big jar in hopes that they can someday buy a new chair for their apartment, the kind of chair her mother deserves after being on her feet all day in the Blue Tile Diner. Into the jar also goes the money Grandma saves whenever she gets a bargain at the market.

There hasn't been a comfortable place to sit in the apartment since a fire in their previous apartment burned everything to "charcoal and ashes." Friends and neighbors brought furniture to their new apartment downstairs, but no one brought anything big or soft or comfortable. Finally the jar is full, the coins are rolled, and in the book's crowning moment, mother, daughter, and Grandma search four different furniture stores, and after carefully trying several chairs, like Goldilocks, they find the chair they've been dreaming of at last.

Vera Williams enhances this story about family, community, and the power of working together toward a common goal with her signature folk art-inspired paintings.

A Chair for My Mother has sold more than a million copies and is an ideal choice for reading and sharing at home and in the classroom. "A superbly conceived picture book expressing the joyful spirit of a loving family."—The Horn Book

Vera B. Williams's beloved picture book favorites include: