Like colorful crayons: Author tells Oberlin kids they are all beautiful

OBERLIN — Wearing silver shoes with flashing red LEDs, author Michael G. Williams easily captured the attention of some of Lorain County's youngest learners Thursday afternoon. He was full of energy as he danced across the Oberlin Elementary School library, and kids were quick to notice that after surviving cancer and losing 300 pounds, Williams' body was a little different. That look was the hook, but it was his voice that reeled in the crowd as he read his children's book, "The Brown Crayon." "This book is about appreciating different shades of color, appreciating that we are all important," said Williams, 50, of Maple Heights, who works as dean of engagement and student support at Glenville High School in Cleveland. The poetic children's story was written in early 2020, during Ohio's COVID-19 lockdown. That spring was also marked by nationwide protests after George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, both Black, were killed by police. Williams saw hate and racism on the rise, and innocent children witnessing it all. Kids are smart enough to know that like the crayons in Williams' book, people come in all colors, too, said school librarian Brianna Smith. In class they ask questions, she said, like why some classmates have hair of differing textures and colors, and why their hands are different shapes and sizes. "As they develop, we answer the questions as honest as we can, age appropriate," Smith said. "I think this book helps us to do that, and gives us kind of a blueprint to do so." One wide-eyed student boldly asked Williams what he thought is the difference between white and brown people. He didn't miss a beat: "The only thing that's different is the color," Williams said. "If you cut us all open, we all bleed red blood." On the way out of the library, every student was handed a copy of "The Brown Crayon" to take home. They were purchased using grants from the Oberlin Schools Endowment Fund and Oberlin Public Library. The students were also told they could take it back to the school Thursday, when Williams held a book signing. The visit was part of the Oberlin City Schools' Black History Month observances. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.