Peggy Patterson Williams and Jaidyn Brink join forces on 'Like a Turtle Loves His Shell'
COSHOCTON — Peggy Patterson Williams and Jaidyn Brink come from different worlds and are far apart in age, but both understand the universal themes of love and family.
"Like a Turtle Loves His Shell" written by Williams with illustrations by Brink was released on Nov. 2.
It's the story of an insecure little boy asking family members if they love him even when he's not the best brother, son and grandson he could be. The boy's family reassures him with metaphors, saying they love him like a turtle loves his shell or coffee loves its mug.
"You hear children say, 'Mommy, do you love me' or I've heard kids say 'I don't think my sister loves me or my sister is mad at me, or my brother.' That's where the concept came from," Williams said. "They are reassuring him how much they love him in spite of everything. He's not perfect, but they love him anyway."
Williams, of Coshocton, has written poems and short stories, but this is her first published work. A few years ago, she contacted John Miller, art teacher at Coshocton High School, about a student to put pictures with her words. Just coming out of her freshman year, Miller knew Brink would be perfect.
Williams and Brink met, discussed the project and Brink looked at the manuscript. She did some test drawings and went from there.
"When I was illustrating this book, a lot of the interactions between the siblings, I could relate to myself," said Brink, who has a younger sister and older brother. "I hope people learn from this book that the people who truly love them, no matter what you do, they love them unconditionally."
Williams said the biggest issue was turning over her work to someone else to draw, but she trusted Brink, who said Williams' only demand was a warm and homey color palette. Other than that, Brink had creative freedom.
Brink, now a senior, painted a mural over the summer on an outside wall of Rust Décor and she's finishing another mural for Dean's Jewelry. Brink has been accepted to four art schools with scholarships and she's narrowing down where she wants to go. Her plan is to study illustration.
Proceeds from the book will go to assist Williams' granddaughter, Layla, with her therapy or medical needs. The 5-year-old who lives in California has a chromosome disorder.
"She didn't learn to sit up until she turned 4. That was like a gift from above, because we didn't know if she would walk or talk or do anything," Williams said. "Now, she's a joy. She just lights up a room. She laughs and claps."
"Like A Turtle Loves His Shell" is available on Amazon for $14.99 in paperback. Williams is working on a sequel with the boy telling his family how he loves them. Williams hopes Brink can reprise as illustrator.
llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com
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https://www.coshoctontribune.com/story/news/local/2021/12/25/love-and-understanding-theme-storybook-collaboration/8927624002/
2021-12-25 08:51:07Z
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