What the experts say
Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – Selected as one of the Best Books of 2007 by US School Library Journal
"Marcia Williams’ breathes new life into the classic stories, capturing the tone of the original tales but rendering them vivid and fresh. Her inimitable narrative technique combining prose, detailed illustration and humorous dialogue makes the tales accessible to readers of all ages and abilities. Her innovative mix of comic style frames, decorative technique and gorgeous colour palette makes each double page work as a unity. The snippets of Chaucerian language that pepper the pages are bound to delight young readers, who will enjoy imitating this style. A perfect introduction to Chaucer and a classroom essential."Nikki Gamble
Associate Consultant, University of London, Institute of Education and Director, Write AwayTalking Pictures: A play in three acts
Act One
As a child I would sit for hours exploring the pictures in my books – Peter Rabbit, Babar, The Nursery History of England. I was able to read the printed word – and often did so with great interest – but it was the illustrations that fascinated me. How I would have loved to pore over Marcia Williams’ wonderful picture books.Act Two
If children are going to become readers, primary teachers have to motivate them to pick up, and get lost in, books. Children also need to know all the great stories – Greek Myths, Robin Hood and Shakespeare’s plays. For me as a class teacher and SEN specialist, not a problem: I fill my bookshelves with Marcia’s books.Act Three
Guiding post-graduate students in the study of children’s literature includes demonstrating the role of visual texts in constructing complex meanings. Explore just one page of any of Marcia’s picture books to see accessibility (for the inexperienced) and sophistication (for the intellectual) combine to entrance any age of reader.Prue Goodwin
Lecturer in literacy education and children's books. She provides courses and talks for anoyone who is interested. Email p.e.goodwin@reading.ac.ukPictures to print out, colour in and add your own touches!
You can download these PDFs of my line drawings from selected books to use at school or at home.| The Last Christmas No 1 |  (152k) |
| The Last Christmas No 2 | (252k) |
| Greek Myths No 1 | (240k) |
| Greek Myths No 2 | (220k) |
| Greek Myths No 3 | (344k) |
| Mr Shakespeare's Plays No 1 | (528k) |
School visits
I am very happy to visit schools in or around the London area. I have been visiting schools all over the world for many years, to talk about creating books and also to run comic-strip workshops based on my books. I am also happy to talk to student teachers, librarians and at Book Festivals.If you are interested in a visit please e-mail.
Marcia at Walker Books
Find out more about Marcia at Walker Books.Teacher's views from all over
"Marcia's unique approach to her lovely books make them ideal for studying in the education setting. Examples such as Mr William's Shakespeare Plays or Chaucer's Canterbury Tales or The adventures of Robin Hood are wonderful titles for introducing students to these literary gems.Stuck for an idea?
Have your students use Marcia's illustrative style to create their own re-workings of classic tales and adventures."Christopher Cheng
Children's author and Literacy Ambassador – National Literacy and Numeracy Week, Co-Regional Advisor SCBWI and Regional Advisor – Australia & New Zealand for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators"What great books. The fabulous illustrations and accessible text turn difficult books into great reading for any child."
Bini Szacsvay
Teacher Librarian, NSW AustraliaMemories of working with Marcia Williams
Some of my fondest memories from working at the children’s book publisher Walker Books are of Marcia’s book launches. Her books cry out to be performed – and so that’s what we did with them! I think things started to get really ambitious when King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table was first published in 1996. The whole marketing department seemed to get behind the project with the senior copy writer producing a script, the design director creating a spectacular medieval stage backdrop, the publicity manager, various designers, sales and events people taking up roles. We toured with this book throughout King Arthur territory in Devon and Cornwall performing in front of vast numbers of children all similarly clad in medieval garb, climaxing at Winchester Great Hall where King Arthur’s Round Table resides.
I think Marcia’s book tours set the tone for all future book launches, which became increasingly ambitious. By the time Mr. William Shakespeare's Plays was published in 1998, we were seasoned performers touring far and wide at festivals up and down the country. I left Walker Books in early 2000 but tales of performances were still reaching my ears. I went to visit them in Stratford – possibly the pinnacle of their tour.
Sadly, it was finally thought that the marketing department had better get back to their desks instead of having all this fun. It was a magical time however, and one I’ll never forget!
