"We started this when the oldest was born and always tried to find a new book to read," Williams tells me. "I’m hopeful Criminy Kringle can be a part of other family’s traditions."
Williams lives in Wake Forest with his wife, their three teenagers, some dogs, a cat and a whole bunch of bees. The family sells its honey under the Honeysuckle Farms label. By day, Williams also works at Witz Communications, a Raleigh-based public relations firm for technology companies. To create the book, he connected with Raleigh-based illustrator Jess Porta.
I checked in with Williams to learn more about his book. Here's a Q&A:
Go Ask Mom: What prompted you to write a book?
Richard Williams: I’ve always told stories to my kids and friends. It probably started around the campfire with Y-Guides and Y-Princesses or on trips to my folks cabin in Jefferson, N.C. I remember the first story I created was about a mountain lion named Snaggletooth who lived in the woods surround the New River. That story has never been written down, but the kids who heard it first when they were about five still remember it.
One of my favorite kids books is "The Gruffalo," by Julia Donaldson. I love the lyrical quality and I guess that’s what inspired me to write my stories in rhyme. The first story I wrote, but have yet to publish, is "Annabelle and Miss Pruney Face." When my Mom read it, she pushed me to write a Christmas story, and so Criminy Kringle was born.
GAM: Without any spoilers, what's it all about?
RW: I love stories about how people overcome challenges and also ones that tie into something that exists. The phrase “For Criminy’s Sake!” has always been funny to me, and I wanted to write a story that gave that saying an origin. The story is about an elf, Criminy, at Santa’s workshop, who is in charge of supplies. Just like all of us, we don’t like to be reminded of the changes that happen as we age and now that’s he is 410, he’s become a bit farsighted. This causes him to mix up the last supply order needed to finish all the toys for Christmas and bedlam ensues. Luckily for Criminy, and Christmas, Ms. Claus is on hand to put things right.
GAM: What's the message about the holidays that you hope readers take away after reading about Criminy?
RW: It’s a story about accepting who you are and overcoming any limitations or obstacles with grace and kindness, about finding a way to work together even in the most stressful times or situations. It’s about looking for solutions instead of blame. When things go wrong, it’s easy for all of us, especially kids, to play the blame game instead of trying to figure out a way to solve a problem. If you just take a step away, maybe to the right or left, it can change your perspective and you can see a solution you might otherwise miss.
GAM: How can people buy the book?
RW: It’s
available on Amazon and at a few local stores including Page 158 Books, Lily Mae’s, Harvest Moon and at the Imurj gift shop. I’m open to events, reading, and signing, just don’t have any scheduled. Happy to visit schools as well.
Go Ask Mom features local parents every Monday.
