Fredonia illustrator to appear at Book Nook on Saturday

By ALPHA HUSTED
Pamela Czarniak still pinches herself.

“When I got the word I had been chosen to illustrate Mack Webb’s new children’s book,” the local artist said, “it was, Wow! A few minutes later while I was driving, the reality of it all sunk in. I was so excited and overwhelmed, I ran two red lights.’’

Area book buffs will get to meet Czarniak, Saturday at the D&F Plaza’s Book Nook. There, from 2-4 p.m., she will take part in the debut of “The Snickerdoodle Mystery,” a publication written by Mack H. Webb Jr., and filled with Czarniak’s colorful graphics. The book is the illustrator’s first published work and was recently released by Pilinut Press, Inc., a publishing firm established in 2006 at Warrenton, Va., by Webb and his wife, Celia.

Czarniak’s contract with Pilinut fulfills a long-cherished dream of the forty-something artist, whose passion for painting and sketching goes back to grade school days. “For years,” she said, “I’ve waited for this moment... I’m still pinching myself.’’

With one book on the market, Czarniak said she hopes to illustrate other Pilinut books, and she also plans to approach other publishers.

An alumna of Fredonia Central High School and Buffalo’s Daemen College, Czarniak was inspired by the works of renowned illustrators such as Jan Brett and David Catrow. She is a Hallmark greeting card merchandizer and a part-time employee at the Dunkirk Free Library. On a day-to-day basis, you’ll find her at the library in the children’s department, where she spends afternoons with the crayon crowd.

Czarniak first met Mack and Celia Webb in 2007 at a spring workshop sponsored by the Sinclairville Free Library. One of several programs offered in Chautauqua County by the Webbs, the seminar focused on the author, his books, and on the Webbs’ new publishing firm as well as tips on publishing, writing, and illustrating.

Later, the young artist said, she kept in touch with Celia Webb, Pilinut president, who as the daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Dan Bauman of Stockton, has Chautauqua County connections. After submitting some of her work, Czarniak was included on the roster of potential Pilinut Press illustrators, and eventually she was selected to illustrate the book.

In comments on Czarniak’s illustrations, Celia Webb said Pilinut books aimed at young readers of from three to six years of age, “contain advanced vocabulary to help children pick up more words.” In addition to story fun , Mrs. Webb said, illustrations must capture and hold young readers’ interest and attention.

Describing Czarniak’s illustrations as “both whimsical and warm,” Mrs. Webb said the artist’s work makes the book’s story “really come to life.” More information on Pilinut, its workshops and books is available at www.pilinutpress.com <http://www.pilinutpress.com>.