Children's author finds inspiration in family anecdotes

A family quilt, somewhat tattered around the edges, drew gasps from the capacity crowd last week at the Schaumburg Township Public Library.

Children's author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco, had described the heirloom - captured in her book, "The Keeping Quilt" ­- during a presentation last week that drew a capacity crowd, and even caused library officials to have to turn some families away.

At the end of the story, she produced the quilt itself, in front of an amazed crowd of children and their parents.

"That was so cool when she brought out the quilt," said Monica Anstett, 11, of Schaumburg.

Her friend, Samantha Grzesiak of Schaumburg, remembered that the quilt and Polacco's book had prompted her older sister to write a paper about the imagery contained in the story.

"I liked that she told her family's stories," Grzesiak said, "and that it wasn't just made up."

Polacco admitted that she had drawn nearly all of her books - 76, at last count - from her own family experience, and she encouraged other young writers in the room to do the same.

"I came from a family of the most amazing storytellers," said Polacco, who lives in Oakland, Calif., but spent summers with her grandparents in Michigan. "In my household, stories were constantly being told."

Her family's stories, handed down through generations, have sparked vivid stories that Polacco only began writing in 1987, at the age of 41. She adds that she not only had to document their stories, but illustrate them as well.

In "The Keeping Quilt," she paints most of the pictures in black and white, except for integral pieces of her ancestors' clothing that later will be sewn into the quilt, which are depicted in color.

The fact that Polacco both writes and illustrates her books made her a perfect fit for Schaumburg's Youth Services Department. For 20 years, officials there have amassed a collection of original illustrations, many purchased from visiting authors.

Framed works of art hang in a small gallery in the department, as well on free-standing kiosks. Melissa Jones, department head, said that the library is negotiating with Polacco for one of her original works to add to the collection.

"I showed her an open spot in the gallery, just waiting for her work," Jones said.

The illustrations are in various media, from the paper cut collage done by author and illustrator David Wisniewski for the book, "Rain Player," to the woodcut from Mary Azarian's historical picture book, "Tuttle's Red Barn," to more traditional pastels and colored pencil drawings.

Jones says that no matter what time of day, the small gallery draws library patrons of all ages to examine the works, and their accompanying books.

"Art speaks to everyone, I mean, who doesn't love to draw," Jones says. "It can be within reach, if someone is so inclined."

Polacco concurred. After comparing her own need pursue art to breathing, she asked her audience: "Who likes to draw?"

A roomful of hands went up, and Polacco knew she had her audience in hand.