Dave the Potter, Artist, Poet, Slave by Laban Carrick Hill, Ill by Brayn Collier

Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill

*Review created for Texas Woman's University graduate level class*

1.       BIBLIOGRAPHY

Carrick Hill, Laban. 2010. DAVE THE POTTER, ARTIST, POET, SLAVE. Ill by Bryan Collier.  New York, New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN 978-0-316-10731-0

2.       SUMMARY

In this picture book, Hill features Dave, a potter from the 1800’s.  The picture book describes the way in which Dave makes his pots.  What makes Dave the potter special is the fact that Dave is also a slave in the South, and a poet, in addition to being an artist.

3.       CRITICAL  ANAYLSIS

This picture book blends vivid imagery with superb illustrations.  The author uses imagery and some metaphors and alliteration to great effect.  The details describing dirt and clay is vibrant and helps the reader understand the feeling of the clay in Dave’s hands.  Dave is an artist and poet, and his sense of self and his courage is portrayed through his work.  Writing small inscriptions and poems on the sides of his pots, we can better understand the courage it took for a slave to rebel against the bonds of slavery.  The watercolors provide a stunning and rich view that brings the text to life, and adds another dimension of meaning to the story. 

The book takes place in the South before the Civil War, when slavery was permitted.  Dave’s story transcends time and helps teach us that the human spirit cannot be subdued, even through the bonds of slavery.

4.       REVIEW EXCERPTS

“This restrained and respectful treatment of the historical fact admirable…” New York Times.

“An accomplished, visually stunning homage to an important African-American artist…” Kirkus Reviews.

2011 Caldecott Honor

5.       CONNECTIONS

Bring play dough or molding clay and allow children to play with the clay after reading the story together.

Other books about inspiring African American slaves

Look at other books written by Laban Carrick Hill and examine how the author uses imagery to portray the story to the readers.

Look at other books illustrated by Bryan Collier and examine how he uses color, and symbolism in his other work.

Works Cited

"Dave the Potter." Accessed June 11, 2012. http://www.labanhill.com/dave_the_potter_53284.htm.

Horwitz, Tony. "A Life Preserved in Clay." New York Times, November 5, 2010. Accessed June 11, 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/books/review/Horwitz-t.html.

Kirkus Reviews. "Dave the Potter:Artist, Poet, Slave." Accessed June 11, 2012. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/laban-carrick-hill/dave-potter/#review.