Publishers Simon & Schuster have just released a new children's book -- lavishly illustrated by Bermuda's own Sharon Wilson.

"Yes, there is a certain sense of accomplishment,'' says Ms Wilson, who appears to be taking her increasing fame in stride.

"While it's not really possible to just stand back and enjoy it all -- I'm already in the middle of illustrating my next book -- it is very interesting to gauge the reaction of children. I hope, as a Bermudian, that it will mean something to them. I do sense a feeling of respect from many of the children and that pleases me, because I like the idea that children may confide some of their own dreams to me. It says something, I think, about the influence a person can have as a result of something that's been achieved. So, from that point of view, it is a positive experience!'' Sharon Wilson's latest commission was to illustrate a book by Valerie Wesley for children aged from about six to ten years old.

"Freedom's Gift: A Juneteenth Story'', centres around a little girl from New York who, on a visit to cousins in Texas, learns the origin of "Juneteenth'' -- a holiday celebrated today by African Americans all over the US on June 19 -- to commemorate the day on which the freedom of Texan slaves was finally proclaimed. Not everyone, points out the author in a special note, realises that Texas did not abolish slavery until June 19, 1865, fully two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Whether this was by design or because news travelled slowly in those days remains a moot point.

"I am pleased with the nature of this book,'' says Ms Wilson. "It's more than just another picture book. It has a strong story and from an educator's point of view, that is certainly satisfying to me.'' She notes that one of the peculiarities -- and potential problems -- in accepting a commission from a publishing house is the lack of communication between writer and artist.

"I must admit I was pleased that Valerie Wesley was pleased with the finished product,'' she exclaims. "We did work on the book together but publishing companies don't make a habit of encouraging communication. So you have this strange situation where the writer is on one side, I'm on the other and the editor is in the middle. The writer doesn't get to see the illustrations until the book is produced so you are left wondering how she will react to the way in which her story has been interpreted from an artistic point of view.'' Admitting that, for her, the process of book illustration is still "like dancing in a completely new arena'', Sharon Wilson says she has had to learn the nuances involved in the production while actually performing.

"That can be a little scary at times but I think I can say that I am satisfied with the way `Freedom's Gifts' has turned out.'' Ms Wilson's images, executed in pastels, form her second commissioned work, the first having been `The Day Gogo Went to Vote', praised by President Nelson Mandela, and which has since won several awards.

"Freedom's Gifts'' will be launched at a special reception, book signing and exhibition of the original pastel studies at the Masterworks Gallery on Bermuda House Lane (off Front Street) on Friday, May 2 from 5.30 p.m. onwards.

There will also be a book signing at The Bermuda Book Store on Friday, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

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