Children’s book author William G. Wilberforce III knew that storytelling was in his future during a trip to Rome, a city with its own storied history.

All of William’s stories are based on his own life lessons, people that he knows, and experiences that he’s collected, particularly the period of time that he spent in the hospital following two surgeries to save his life. Envisioning his children’s stories during some of the worst days of his life became therapeutic for him, enabling him to see the positive and the best days ahead and laying the foundation for his books. 

William thinks a good story is one that is fun but ends with a theme that young readers can relate to and that stays with them long after the book is closed. His new picture book, VROOM! Barry, Kari and the Power Boost, shares with children to always believe in themselves and their capabilities and silence the voice of self-doubt.  

William is also the illustrator of his stories. As a child, his mischievous background was the interesting launchpad for how he learned to draw. When he was grounded, he’d see all the new toys in the Sunday newspaper ads but, since he had been naughty, his parents wouldn’t buy them for him. Instead, William took to drawing these favorite toys, coloring them and cutting them out, and keeping them in a special jar as his own toys, and a future artist was born.

When he isn’t writing inspiring children’s stories, William is a health coach and runs a personal training business whose mission is to improve his client’s lives and help people believe that what they want is possible. He listens to many audiobooks, enjoys working out, walking in nature, and listening to music. With his parents originally hailing from Ghana, William lives in San Diego, California, with his new pup, Smokey. VROOM! Barry, Kari and the Power Boost is his debut children’s book.