Nationally renowned portrait painter and Fondren artist Bill Wilson is shown here with his wife Linda and his second book The Fib: A Wordy Tale. A project several years in the making, The Fib focuses on Pippin and Maxx character Dorf as he tries to lie his way out of the disaster he's made of Maxx's home.

Published by the newly formed Feathered Cap Press, the book is more than simply a morality tale. "The Fib focuses on teaching kids big words in a fun way," explains Linda, the Pippin & Maxx Education Director. "We see this as a way to expand children's vocabulary and teach the vitals of literacy."

Linda, a retired educator and recognized expert in curriculum arts education integration, has developed a curriculum for K-4th grade using the book as the base. That curriculum is available for download free of charge here.

"As a kid I was fascinated by big words," confesses Bill. "Most kids are. Language is something new for them to experiment with. The Fib gives them even more tools to help them express the very complex ideas that kids have!"

"The opening lines of the book begin, 'Neither fib, fudge or fabricate, calumniate, exaggerate, nor prevaricate,' most adults don't even know those words!" Bill explains.

Bill's first book Dorf's Art Lesson was a how-to-draw book developed in conjunction with Portraits Inc. and Children's Harbor for the Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Either book can be purchased by contacting Pippin & Maxx directly or at fine children's stores and booksellers.

Bill, Linda and their son Amile are all Fondren residents and active in the Jackson and Mississippi arts scene. Amile is an award winning film producer who sits on the board of the Jackson Arts Collective and TALK Dance Company. Linda serves on the board of the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education and consults on curriculum development for schools and organizations.