The Brunswick News
Weekend Edition, January 14-16, 2006
Photographer/author shares experiences
Patsy Smith Roberts’ children’s book is ‘Willis the Warthog’.
By Lauren McCallister
Walking into her home,. it’s not hard to guess what Patsy Smith Roberts is passionate about.
From the terra cotta lion planter at the front door to the zebra skin rug in the living room, it’s clear that she considers her home on St. Simons Island simply the place where she lives between her trips to Africa.
In addition to being a travel enthusiast, Roberts is also a photographer and author. She is excited about the recent release of her third children’s book, “Willis the Warthog.”
Using pictures she collected on her most recent trip to Botswana. Roberts has written and illustrated a story about a warthog, named Willis, his sister Greta, and the lessons they learned as they concoct a plan to avoid becoming Leroy the Leopard’s next meal.
“When I started this book I had no clue it would it up the way it did,” Roberts said.
“I went to Africa to Africa to take pictures of warthogs but couldn’t find any.”
When she eventually had a good opportunity to catch one on film, she noticed it didn’t have a tail, so she had to revise the ending of her story to fit the picture that she got.
“It’s hard to illustrate a book with pictures ,” she said. “You have to work with what you have.”
Roberts, who is a self-taught photographer, has made a total of 18 trips to Africa. She’s captured a variety of wildlife on film, but enjoys taking pictures of lions the most .
She’s even been able to keep up with a few dominant male lions, nicknamed “The Mambo Boys.” for the past six years. She say’s it’s wonderful to return year after year and see the same animals.
“It’s a very humbling experience.” she said, speaking of being so close to animals. “It really makes you put things in perspective.”
“Willis the Warthog” is available at several local bookstores and on Roberts website, www.patsysnithroberts.com.