Viola Davis has accrued some serious hardwarean Emmy, a Golden Globe, an Oscar, and two Tonysfor her roles in film, television, and theater. Now the actor is taking on childrens literature. American Libraries caught up with Davis to talk about libraries, storytelling, and her forthcoming book, Corduroy Takes a Bow (Viking Books for Young Readers, September), before her Closing Session appearance at the 2018 Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans on June 26.
What was the inspiration for Corduroy Takes a Bow? Was Corduroy an iconic character for you growing up?
He was an iconic character for me, but more so for my daughter Genesis. I would read to her every single night, and that was the book that stuck. I had to read it over and over and over again. Im always trying to please my daughter. I always think, What can I give my daughter? Its an homage to her.
What was it like stepping into the role of a childrens book author?
Intimidating. The thing about the world of childrens books is you have to allow the character to be who they are. You have to allow Corduroy to be curious without making him look like hes mischievous. Theres got to be a lightness to it. Just to be able to tell a fluid story, to have that friendship between Lisa and Corduroy, to keep it funit was intimidating.
What role have libraries had in your life?
[Libraries] changed my life. I remember I was in kindergarten at Broad Street School, and school would be out at 2 oclock, and I would walk to Adams Memorial Library on Central Avenue in Central Falls [Rhode Island]. I would stay there until it got dark.
It was almost like stepping into the Land of Oz. I would just take book after book after book off the shelf. It was a relief from my lifethats how I saw it.
Then there were the librarians. Denise always saved half of her lunch for me. It was like Pavlovs dog. As soon as I ran into the library, I would stand by the front desk and wait for Denise. She always had half a tuna-fish sandwich and a little cake [for me], and then Id go downstairs to the childrens section.
Your production company, JuVee Productions, emphasizes character-driven narratives and mentorship. How do you decide what projects to take on and whose voices to amplify?
I always try to amplify the voices of people who are usually voiceless and on the periphery. The docuseries The 4%4% of prisoners who are on death row are actually innocent. Two Sides of the Truthpolice-involved shootings from both perspectives. Hollywood wouldnt necessarily push these stories, but they intrigue me. I have to feel like Im not watering it down to make it palpable.
Manchild in the Promised Land [by Claude Brown] was the first serious book that I read that changed my life. It was straight, no chaser. It was honest and insightful and thats what I look for in narratives: whats different, whats going to wake people up, whats going to give them a dose of truth.
In interviews youve spoken out about the gender pay gap. Librarianship is a profession thats about 85% women but still deals with similar inequities. Was there a piece of advice someone gave you, or something you learned, to help you combat inequities in your career?
When I first started out, I just had to take the job. I didnt have any money for my Screen Actors Guild card. But at a certain point, you have to understand your worth. At a certain point, you have to say no. Thats what women have to understand, because men do it. Men do it with even less of a rsum. And I always use [TV producer] Shonda Rhimess quote: I deserve everything that I get, because when I walk in the room I expect to get it.
Is there any other genre or creative outlet youd like to take on? Are you going to go for the EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony)?
If I were to give you an honest response, I would say no. Ive gotten increasingly not ambitious. I want to be on the beach in Hawaii somewhere. I want to meditate, even though Im crappy at meditation.
But every genre imaginable, I would love to take on. I watch Jurassic Park, Im like, Id like to run from some dinosaurs. I love character-driven anything. I just want to be woken up. I just want to be surprised.
No one knows what works anymore. Sometimes tentpole movies dont work. They have the tendency to have the same archetypes. If someone says, When did film start becoming different?, I want my name to be in there. And the EGOT thing yeah, maybe [laughs].