Pen in hand, local writer Deborah Holt Williams has achieved the dream of a lifetime with the release of her debut picture book, “Nighty Night, Dinos.” A whimsical, poetic delight, the book follows playful dinosaurs as they stomp, roar and soar through the swamps, forests and skies. Then, like all wild things, the big yawns begin and a cozy spot gently coaxes them to sleep. Showcasing her writing prowess, Williams masterfully flows the story’s poem to lull young readers to sleep — or more likely ask to hear it again.
“My goal has always been a nice, big, hardcover, 32-page picture book with beautiful illustrations,” Williams said. “I’ve wanted to write a picture book since I learned how to write. I didn’t think it would take quite this long — as I’m turning 75 this September — but it feels so wonderful.”
Illustrated by Anna Doherty, the book features soft tones and colors that create soothing bedtime scenes. Little details like friendly bats bringing a bottle to a pterodactyl and a brontosaurus snuggling his teddy feel relatable to young readers.
“I love the illustrations. [Doherty] did a great job. She’s from Scotland, but she lives in Switzerland now,” Williams said. “I was so pleased with her work when I saw it.”
When asked why dinosaurs, Williams said, “In first grade my teacher brought in a dinosaur bone she found in a quarry. I begged my parents to take me and they did. I found a bone, too!”
It was also around that time Williams fell in love with storytelling. Following the too-soon death of her father, Williams and her mother moved in with her maternal grandparents. Her grandmother was an avid reader who swept Williams away with tales of adventure, newspaper highlights and the “Little Golden Books” series. When her mother remarried, the family frequently moved and her beloved books became lost in the shuffle.
“Books weren’t treasured and they didn’t always come with us when we moved,” Williams said. “I came up with this brilliant idea that if I wrote my own books then I would never be without them. I loved making up stories and escaping into the world of my made-up stories.”
In the early 1970s, Williams and her husband moved to the Valley and she became a mother to five children. She chose to emulate her grandmother by bestowing her love of books upon them. In time she joined a local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and with some encouragement from a friend, she began sending manuscripts to publishers. Within one year her stories caught the attention of two teachers who had started their own publishing company. She wrote five early reader books for them that are still in circulation today.
Her passion for storytelling seamlessly integrated into a career. A former preschool teacher, Williams also worked at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library where she captivated small audiences at storytime with imaginative puppet shows. She still continued to write and her work has been published in Highlights for Children and Jack and Jill magazines. She also wrote a book, illustrated by her daughter, Molly, about Glenwood’s Christmas tree planted in honor of Louisa Schwarz, an original Glenwood Springs Garden Club member. Eagle-eyed Sopris Sun readers may also recall a few of Williams’s poems featured in the Works in Progress section.
For Williams, however, the goal was always a picture book that can be displayed on library shelves around the country.
“In 2020, the Institute for Children’s Literature had a bedtime story contest and I wrote a poem about dinosaurs going to bed. It did not win, but I really liked it,” Williams said. “Finally, I submitted it to Familius, a small publishing company in California known for beautiful books. The owner of the company, Christopher Robbins, wrote back the next day — which never happens — and said he really liked it.”
After years of waiting, editing and adding stanzas, “Nighty Night, Dinos” was released on June 16 with rave reviews from School Library Journal and Kirkus. To top it off, Williams said she has been contracted to release two more books, “Nighty Night, Puppies” and “Nighty Night, Bears,” as part of a series set to release in 2028.
“It’s been a long journey,” Williams said. “But I am just so happy with everything.”
Folks can catch Williams reading “Nighty Night, Dinos” at Strawberry Days on Saturday, June 20. Presented by Alpenglow Books and Gifts, the reading will begin at 1:30pm followed by a book signing. Books will be available for purchase. She will also be reading her book at the Carbondale Library on June 22 at 10am.
Visit Nighty Night, Dinos to learn more.