On Thursday, author Hester Bass came to town to promote her award-winning book The Secret World of  Walter Anderson. I first met Hester last fall at an SCBWI conference in Birmingham, and we talked about having her come to the Golden Triangle to do an event.  I worked with Carolyn Abadie at Book Mart in Starkville, and if every event I coordinate for SCBWI goes this easily, I'll be delighted.  She handled the refreshment and location, I did the promotion, the event was well attended, and Hester sold over forty books!  She spent the night  at the "Lewis Lodge" and entertained us with stories about her fascinating life experiences (two TV game shows and working as a singing telegram messenger in NYC!).  We share many interests, and it was refreshing to talk to someone about children's lit who is so passionate about it.

Her book tells the story of Mississippi artist Walter Anderson, with a focus on his time spent on Horn Island and his deep connection to nature. At the children's book event, we learned that for the illustrations, Anderson's own children posed for photographs: his son sat in the row boat for the image that became the cover, and his daughter impersonated her mother at the door of Anderson's "secret room."  Hester was able to work with illustrator E.B. Lewis and the Anderson family to create an incredibly beautiful book that conveys her passion for the subject and what his work means to her.

If you find true stories fascinating, if you love art, if you enjoy nature,  this picture book biography needs to be on your shelf. 



Image via www.hesterbass.com.  The Secret World of Walter Anderson